Risk of depression in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

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This study looked at the risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt in patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients.

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Background:
Sparse information is available concerning mental health issues in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Objective:
To estimate risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt in patients with psoriasis, PsA, and AS, respectively, compared with the general population.

Methods:
This population-based cohort study analyzed 36,214 psoriasis patients, 5,138 PsA patients, and 1,878 AS patients who were frequency-matched with a general population cohort. Annual incidence rate of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt was calculated separately for psoriasis, PsA and AS.

Results:
There was an increased risk of depression in the three cohorts; adjusted IRR: psoriasis, 1.14 (95% CI, 1.11, 1.17); PsA, 1.22 (95% CI, 1.16, 1.29); AS, 1.34 (95% CI, 1.23, 1.47). There was no significantly increased risk for suicidal ideations or suicide attempt among psoriasis, PsA, or AS patients.

Limitations:
Patients were not excluded if previously diagnosed with depression, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempt. Suicide attempt and completed suicide analyses were not adjusted for presence of depression. Use of systemic psoriasis treatment to measure severe psoriasis could lead to psoriasis severity misclassification.

Conclusion:
The risk of depression, but not suicidal ideation or suicide attempt, was significantly increased in patients with psoriasis, PsA, and AS.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view funding unknown.