Bidirectional association between knee osteoarthritis and depressive symptoms: evidence from a nationwide population-based cohort

Abstract

Background Both knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and depressive symptoms (DS) are major public health issues affecting the quality of life. This study aimed to examine the association between KOA and DS. Methods Data were gathered from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2011–2015 which surveyed middle-aged to elderly individuals and their spouses in 28 provinces in China. An adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). Results The analysis for baseline KOA and the subsequent risk of DS was based on 2582 participants without baseline DS. During the follow-up, KOA patients were more likely to have DS than non-KOA participants (adjusted HR = 1.38: 95% CI = 1.23 to 1.83). The analysis for baseline DS and the subsequent risk of KOA was based on 4293 participants without baseline KOA, those with DS were more likely to develop KOA than non-DS participants (adjusted HR = 1.51: 95% CI = 1.26 to 1.81). Subgroup analysis showed sex and age had no significant moderating effect on the KOA-DS association. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that the association between KOA and DS is bidirectional. Therefore, primary prevention and management of KOA and DS should consider this relationship.

Osteoarthritis Depression Impacts and Possible Solutions Among Older Adults: Year 2021-2022 in Review

“…As well, those suffering from a long standing or chronic major depressive disorder [11] may encounter an unrelenting cycle of pain and disability rather than any simple unidirectional cause effect association [15]. Other research shows that delaying the opportunity to intervene on the presence of depression regardless of cause or type is likely to do more harm than good in as many as 50 percent or more of osteoarthritis cases [16], especially where perceptions of any cumulative or perceived discrimination prevail [2,5].…”

Allied Health Professionals’ experiences and views towards improving musculoskeletal services in the UK for patients with musculoskeletal and co-existing mental health conditions: a qualitative study

“…People with long-term MSK conditions are likely to report feeling anxious or depressed when compared to healthy individuals (9, 10), and there is evidence to support the bidirectional relationship. For example, anxiety and depression might heighten sensation of pain associated with MSK conditions, while persistent pain might worsen mental health (9,(11)(12)(13). For patients with both physical and mental health conditions, higher rates of morbidity, healthcare utilisation and poorer quality of life have been observed (14).…”

Healthy and Osteoarthritis-Affected Joints Facing the Cellular Crosstalk

“…According to Shuang Zheng et al, depression is found in 25.4% of symptomatic knee OA patients with an annual incidence of 11.2% among them [ 5 ]. Han Lu et al explored that there is a bidirectional association between depression and knee OA [ 6 ]. The progression of OA is deleterious to the quality of life, working capacity, health, and social welfare [ 7 ].…”