In patients with SLE, anxiety and depression are likely to be underdiagnosed, according to a
study published in Lupus. Researchers assessed the prevalence of self-perceived anxiety and
depression in patients with SLE by conducting a cross-sectional study of 172 patients and 215
controls. They collected data on comorbidities, demographic and clinical characteristics,
and treatment, while participants completed questionnaires for the Hospital Anxiety and
Depression Scale (HADS). Nearly all patients with SLE were women (93%). In 12.8% of
participants, fibromyalgia was noted, whereas in 17%, a history of depression was observed.
Based on results from HADS, 58.7% of patients met the diagnostic criteria for anxiety,
and depression was recorded in 37.2%. The prevalence rates of anxiety and depression in the
control group were similar (55.1% and 32.6%, respectively). Other chronic inflammatory rheumatic
diseases showed a similar prevalence of anxiety and depression, the study authors noted.