Objective. There is substantial uncertainty regarding the prevalence of depression in RA. We conducted a systematic review aiming to describe the prevalence of depression in RA.Methods. Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Medline and PubMed were searched for cross-sectional studies reporting a prevalence estimate for depression in adult RA patients. Studies were reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a meta-analysis was performed.Results. A total of 72 studies, including 13 189 patients, were eligible for inclusion in the review. Forty-three methods of defining depression were reported. Meta-analyses revealed the prevalence of major depressive disorder to be 16.8% (95% CI 10%, 24%). According to the PHQ-9, the prevalence of depression was 38.8% (95% CI 34%, 43%), and prevalence levels according to the HADS with thresholds of 8 and 11 were 34.2% (95% CI 25%, 44%) and 14.8% (95% CI 12%, 18%), respectively. The main influence on depression prevalence was the mean age of the sample.Conclusion. Depression is highly prevalent in RA and associated with poorer RA outcomes. This suggests that optimal care of RA patients may include the detection and management of depression.

RA has a substantial impact on HRQoL. This supports recent NICE guidelines stipulating that RA patients should be regularly assessed for the impact their disease has on HRQoL and appropriate management provided.

Depression in chronic pain is highly prevalent (60.8%) and is a significant predictor of poorer functioning, pain interference, reduced work status, and increased health care costs.

Summary Background National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance recommends assessment of psychological and social well‐being in people with psoriasis. Objectives To screen systematically for depression and anxiety in patients with psoriasis in routine clinical practice and to identify at‐risk groups for psychiatric morbidity. Methods Consecutive patients attending a single, tertiary centre over a 10‐month period were invited to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ‐9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD‐7) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as part of IMPARTS: Integrating Mental and Physical Healthcare: Research, Training and Services. Information on demographics, treatment and clinical disease severity was collated from electronic patient records. Regression models were used to identify at‐risk groups for psychiatric morbidity. Results Of 607 patients included (56·2% on biologics), 9·9% (95% confidence interval 7·5–12·3%) screened positive for major depressive disorder (MDD) and 13·1% (79/604) (95% confidence interval 10·4–15·8%) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; GAD‐7 score > 9). Suicidal ideation was reported in 35% of those with MDD; DLQI was < 10 in 38·3% and 45·6% cases of MDD and GAD, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, the risk of MDD or GAD was significantly higher in women and those with severe clinical disease, psoriatic arthritis and previous depression/anxiety. The risk of GAD was significantly increased with Asian ethnicity and use of topical treatments only. Conclusions Systematic screening for anxiety and depression identifies clinically important levels of depression and anxiety that may be missed using DLQI data alone. Women and those with severe disease, psoriatic arthritis and/or a prior history of psychiatric morbidity may be at particular risk.