The journal Arthritis Care & Research reports that anxiety in arthritis patients ‰ÛÓ including those with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis ‰ÛÓ often is under-treated and undiagnosed.

In analyzing 1,793 individual records from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),åÊ investigators found that one third of U.S. adults with arthritis suffer from anxiety or depression.

Additionally, anxiety is twice as common as depression, according to the report.


“Given their high prevalence and the effective treatment options that are available, we suggest that all people with arthritis be screened for anxiety and depression,” lead researcher Louise Murphy, Ph.D., said. “With so many arthritis patients not seeking mental health treatment, healthcare providers are missing an intervention opportunity that could improve the quality of life for those with arthritis.”

What do you think? It is a pretty wide net to cast to suggest that all arthritis sufferers be screened. And certainly many illnesses can contribute to a poorer mental outlook. So where do you draw the line?
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Arthritis sufferers weigh in. How is your mental state? Is it affecting your quality of life?