Abstract

BACKGROUND: Arthritis and mental health disorders are leading causes of disability commonly seen by health care providers. Several studies demonstrate a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression in persons with arthritis versus those without arthritis.
OBJECTIVES: Determine the national prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD) and frequent anxiety or depression (FAD) in adults with arthritis, and in adults with arthritis, identify risk factors associated with SPD.
METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, an in-person household interview survey, were used to estimate the prevalence of SPD and FAD in adults with (n=6,829) and without (n=20,676) arthritis. In adults with arthritis, the association between SPD and sociodemographic, clinical, and functional factors was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: The prevalence of SPD and FAD in adults with arthritis is significantly higher than in adults without arthritis (5.6% vs 1.8% and 26.2% vs 10.7%, P<.001 respectively="" in="" adults="" with="" arthritis="" spd="" was="" significantly="" associated="" younger="" age="" lower="" socioeconomic="" status="" divorce="" recurrent="" pain="" physical="" inactivity="" having="" functional="" or="" social="" limitations="" and="" comorbid="" medical="" conditions.="" aged="" to="" years="" were="" times="" more="" likely="" report="" than="" those="" older="" without="" pain.=""> CONCLUSIONS: Serious psychological distress and FAD affect persons with arthritis and should be addressed in their treatment. Younger adults with arthritis, and those with recurrent pain or either functional or social limitations, may be at higher risk for SPD.