FRI0150 Depression, Inflammation and Mortality in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BackgroundPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and an increased mortality.ObjectivesThe current prospective follow-up study investigates prevalence of depression, its association with inflammation and mortality in RA patients.Methods764 consecutive patients attending the rheumatology outpatient department of the University Hospital Würzburg underwent a comprehensive cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment. Inflammation in RA patients was characterized by DAS28 and CRP. Quality of life and depressive symptoms were investigated by SF-36 and PHQ-9 (range 0–27 score points), respectively. A PHQ score ≥15 points is considered indicative for severe depressive symptoms.Results352 subjects suffered from rheumatoid arthritis (RA: 79.5% female, 64.9% RF positive, mean age 54.3 (SD 14.3)), Severe or moderate depressive symptoms were prevalent in 6.6%, respectively 14.4% of RA patients. DAS28, but not CRP, was significantly associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms (r=0.26 (p