Depression Among Patients with Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Disorders Attending A Tertiary Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders are group of diseases affecting one or multiple joints of the body resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of joint functions. Being a chronic condition that cause so much morbidity, they can precipitate psychological disorder, including depression. The comorbidity of depression with rheumatic disorders lead to increase, morbidity, disability and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence of depressive disorder in rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders and their correlates among the patients attending Rheumatoid Clinic of ABUTH, Zaria. The cross-sectional study involved151 randomly selected participants via a systematic random sampling method that had socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire, MINI and WHO Disability Assessment Schedule administered on them. The data was analysed with SPSS 20. The prevalence rate of depressive disorder among the participants was 14.6%. Depression was significantly associated with employment status (χ 2 = 9.402, p=0.004), marital status (χ 2 12.939, p=0.005), severity of pain (χ2= 16.663, p= 0.001), level of disability (χ 2 = 16.002, p< 0.001) and poor physician recognition of emotional health (χ2= 14.663, p= 0.001). The level of disability was found to be the independent determinant of depression among the participants. Pains and disabilities are common complications of rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders. Both are highly associated with depression. Poor recognition of emotional health of the patient further aggravate depression. The presence of depression on the other further leads to persistent complaint of pain and disabilities. The clinicians should therefore routinely look out for depressive symptoms and promptly refer cases to mental health services for further evaluation and management. This will increase the overall well-being of the patient.