Study Highlights Need for Improved Mental Health Care for People Living with Inflammatory Arthritis

January 22, 2025 (Vancouver) – Arthritis Research Canada study reveals people living with inflammatory types of arthritis are not receiving adequate mental health treatment for depression and anxiety.

Using British Columbia health data, researchers specifically found that 41% of individuals with inflammatory arthritis and depression are not receiving the mental health care they need – in the form of medications and/or psychological treatment. For individuals with inflammatory arthritis and anxiety, that number was 47%.

“Despite the substantial risk of depression and anxiety in inflammatory arthritis, there is limited understanding about the diagnosis and treatment for these psychiatric disorders, which is why this research is so important” said Dr. Alyssa Howren, who is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University and conducted this study while she was a Research Trainee at Arthritis Research Canada.

Altogether, the study found that 6,951 people who have inflammatory arthritis experienced depression and 3,701 had anxiety. When evaluating the specific types of mental health care, researchers found that 51% of people with inflammatory arthritis received adequate pharmacotherapy in the form of antidepressants for their depression. And 20% received adequate psychological treatment, such as counselling, for depression. The findings were similar for those struggling with anxiety.

While use of mental health care was similar to the general population, it is important to note that people living with inflammatory types of arthritis – like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis – are at risk for other complications when mental health remains untreated. For example, having depression can lead to delayed arthritis remission, increased risk of death and higher risk of hospitalization.

“Once people are ready to seek help for their mental health, they face many barriers to adequate care, including scarcity of publicly-funded services and financial obstacles to accessing private services,” said Dr. Mary De Vera, a Senior Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada. “This research reveals a dire need to increase the accessibility of mental health treatments for rheumatology patients.”

To read the full research paper, click here.

To learn about more mental health research, click here.

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ABOUT ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CANADA:

Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement. Arthritis Research Canada’s scientific director, Dr. Diane Lacaille is leading a team of over 100 researchers, trainees and staff whose life-changing research is creating a future where people living with arthritis have the knowledge and tools to triumph over pain and disability. Arthritis Research Canada is now conducting arthritis research from coast to coast with centres in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and scientists affiliated with eight major Canadian universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke and Dalhousie University. Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding new and better treatments, and improving quality of life.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Heather Caulder

Marketing and Communications Officer
Arthritis Research Canada
604-207-4010
hcaulder@arthritisresearch.ca