Rheumatoid Arthritis & Caregiver Depression
By Richard Shank
Researchers at the University of British Columbia examined how much spousal mood impacts the disease course of persons living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The spouse plays a key role because his/her emotional well-being has been shown to have an impact on reports of chronic pain and increased disease progression.
A total of 133 married persons with RA completed questionnaires, assessing arthritis disease activity and disability, two times, one year apart. Additionally, each person with RA and his/her spouse completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) at both time points. The CESD assesses the impact of spousal mood on disease course during the year of study.
Researchers found that higher levels of spousal depressive symptoms significantly predicted a worse disease course over the course of the year. Those with RA whose spouse had elevated levels of depression reported greater increases in disability and disease activity.
These findings have two important implications: First, if spousal mood impacts disease course, then clinical interventions for those with RA should include the spouse and their mood state. Second, if spousal mood is being driven by changes in the disease state of the person with RA, then finding ways to support spousal coping will be important for the well-being of both the spouse and the sufferer. Either way, it is important to consider the impact that the spousal caregiving relationship and RA disease course have on one another.
Source: Lam, M., Lehman, A., Puterman, E. DeLongis, A. 2009. Spouse depression and disease course among persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism 61(8): 1011-1017.
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