People with inflammatory arthritis are at a much higher risk of developing depression and anxiety, but a new study suggests that they are not receiving the mental health care they need. Despite frequent interactions with doctors, arthritis patients are no more likely to receive treatment for mood disorders than those without the condition.
The study, published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, analyzed nearly 7,000 arthritis patients with depression and 3,700 with anxiety. Researchers compared their access to mental health care with people who did not have arthritis.
Findings: Mental Health Treatment Gaps
- 51% of arthritis patients with depression were prescribed medication, compared to 48% of people without arthritis—a small difference despite the higher risk in arthritis patients.
- 20% of people with anxiety received therapy, regardless of whether they had arthritis.
- Rates of mental health care for anxiety were similar in both groups.
- Arthritis patients with anxiety were more likely to be hospitalized for mental health issues than non-arthritis patients, suggesting their condition may become more severe without proper treatment.
Why Are Arthritis Patients at Higher Risk for Mood Disorders?
Arthritis is not just a physical disease—it has a significant impact on mental health. The chronic pain, fatigue, and disability associated with the condition can contribute to feelings of frustration, helplessness, and sadness.
Additionally, researchers note that inflammation itself may play a role in psychiatric conditions. The same inflammatory processes that damage joints in arthritis can affect the brain, potentially increasing the risk of depression and anxiety.
Why Is Mental Health Treatment Lacking?
The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Mary De Vera from the University of British Columbia, expected arthritis patients to receive more mental health care, given their frequent doctor visits. However, the study found no meaningful differencein treatment rates between arthritis patients and the general population.
“Although the physical effects of arthritis are well-known and often devastating, the impact on mental health has received far less attention,” De Vera said.
This lack of mental health care for arthritis patients is part of a larger issue—mental health conditions are often undertreated in general. Doctors may focus primarily on managing arthritis symptoms and overlook the emotional and psychological toll of the disease.
A Call for Better Mental Health Support in Arthritis Care
The findings highlight a major gap in arthritis treatment: mental health concerns are not being adequately addressed. Given the strong link between inflammation, arthritis, and mood disorders, researchers suggest that mental health care should be a standard part of arthritis management.
Doctors and healthcare providers should be more proactive in screening for depression and anxiety in arthritis patients, ensuring they receive the support and treatment they need to manage both the physical and mental effects of the disease.
If you care about arthritis, please read studies about extra virgin olive oil for arthritis, and pomegranate: A natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information about arthritis, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing medical cannabis may help reduce arthritis pain, back pain.
The research findings can be found in Arthritis Research & Therapy.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
