Depression not being treated in arthritics

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Depression is twice as likely in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but doctors seldom address it, a U.S. researcher said.

The study of 200 arthritis patients from four rheumatology clinics, published in Arthritis Care & Research, found 11 percent with rheumatoid arthritis -- a chronic, debilitating, inflammatory joint disease -- had moderately-severe to severe symptoms of depression. The more restricted in their normal activities by the arthritis, the more likely the patient had symptoms of depression.

However, one in five of the depressed patients brought up depression with their rheumatalogist. It was always the patient who brought up the topic -- never the physician -- and it was often not discussed at any length, the study said.

"Chronic diseases can greatly affect a patient's psychosocial well-being, and depression can also affect a patient's adherence to treatment regimens," study leader Betsy Sleath of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said in a statement. "Since many arthritis patients see their rheumatologist more often then their primary care physician, we recommend that rheumatologists take steps to screen patients for signs of depression."