Arthritis linked to anxiety, fibromyalgia
A large proportion of patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may also have anxiety, depression and/or fibromyalgia.
Researchers asked 361 patients with osteoarthritis and 488 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to complete a questionnaire during their regular clinical visits between 2011 and 2022, according to a study published in ACR Open Rheumatology.
The researchers found that 29%, 22% and 23% of the patients with osteoarthritis and 22%, 18% and 22% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis screened positive for anxiety, depression and fibromyalgia, respectively. Further, more than 40% of the patients with osteoarthritis and more than 36% of those with rheumatoid arthritis screened positive for at least one of the three comorbidities; whereas more than 8% of those with osteoarthritis and 7% of those with rheumatoid arthritis screened positive for all three comorbidities.
More studies may be needed to better understand the mechanisms associated with these comorbidities in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Read more: ACR Open Rheumatology
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