Higher psychiatric comorbidity in women with PsA

Women with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) not only have higher disease activity and lower rates of remission, but they also suffer more often from anxiety and depression compared with men [1].

In the multicentre Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) network study, 1,134 patients (726 females, 408 males) diagnosed with PsA according to the CASPAR criteria were included. Disease activity was evaluated using different scores (e.g. disease activity score 28 [DAS28], disease activity index for psoriatic arthritis [DAPSA], minimal disease activity [MDA]). In addition, psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life were assessed by the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), the fatigue visual analogue score (VAS from 0-10), and the fibromyalgia rapid screening tool. Disease activity as well as remission were compared between men and women, and the association with psychiatric symptoms, fatigue, and fibromyalgia was assessed in both sexes.

Women with PsA showed higher disease activity and lower rates of remission compared with men (P<0.05). In addition, women had significantly higher anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia scores than men (P<0.05). On the other hand, significantly more men achieved MDA compared to women (P<0.05). Men and women who achieved MDA all had significant improvements in the scores of fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression, as well as in their quality of life. The frequencies of dactylitis, enthesitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis were similar in men and women, while men had a higher incidence of spondylitis (P<0.05).

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   1. Duruöz MT, et al. Abstract 2443. ACR 2019. November 8-13, Atlanta (GA/USA).

Posted on 4 February 202012 March 2021