Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Rheumatology and Medical Rehabilitation, cilt.13, sa.4, ss.219-227, 2002 (Scopus)
Objective: The study was designed to measure depression levels and parameters related to depression in rheumatoid arthritis patients with chronic pain, tissue damage and functional loss. Method: A total of 71 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (50 female, 21 male) were included in the study which was conducted in İbn-i Sina Hospital of Faculty of Medicine of Ankara University. Sample group was between 25-79 years of age, average being 52.82. When classified according to age groups; 14 of them were under 40, 18 of them between 41-50, 19 of them 51-60, and 20 of them over 60. Fifty two out of 71 were in-patients where 19 of them were patients attending to the out- patient departments. The average duration of illness was 11 years. Beck Depression Inventory was used to identify the existence and level of depression. Results: Clinical depression was identified in 33.8% of patients. Thirty six percent of female and 28.6% of male patients showed clinical signs of depression. Rate of depression was 39.5% at the patients with swollen joints and 27.3% at those without the same; while it was 35.4% at the patients with morning stiffnes and 30.4% at those without the same. No obvious relation has been discovered between the rates of depression and functionel capacity, levels of ache, blood values considered with a view to action. 16.7% of patients showed depression in remission whereas this ratio was as high as 35.4% in the activation period of rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: The most prominent marker between depression and rheumatoid arthritis was found to be the remission of illness.