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Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause depression and anxiety. This study evaluated the factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with RA and examined the effect of conventional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a regional hospital in Riyadh between March and November 2022 and included 213 patients with RA. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and data about patients' DMARDs use was obtained from the hospital's medical records. Results: Based on the HADS scores, 35 (16.4%) and 49 (23%) patients with RA had depression and anxiety, respectively. There was a significant association between the level of depression and anxiety and the use of leflunomide and tocilizumab among patients with RA (p = 0.006 and p = 0.009, respectively). Patients with RA who took leflunomide had significantly higher scores for anxiety (ß = 0.158, value of p = 0.037) when compared to patients who did not take leflunomide. Patients with RA who took etanercept showed a significantly lower depression score even after adjusting for confounders, including sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors (ß = -0.189, p = 0.043). Conclusion: The present study highlighted the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients with RA and the level of depression and anxiety may differ between patients with RA depending on the type of DMARDs used. We recommend patients with RA be screened regularly for depression and anxiety to avoid further extra-articular systemic complications associated with RA.
RESUMO
Background Measuring the impact of virtual learning (VL), specifically psychosocially, and its consequences have been poorly studied because VL has never been implemented in this way before worldwide. To our knowledge, no studies in Saudi Arabia have addressed this topic, with very limited available literature internationally. This study aims to evaluate the psychosocial effects of VL on mothers of children in elementary school and its relation to psychosocial factors. Methodology Using an anonymous online questionnaire posted on social media, a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from May through December 2021 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 460 mothers consented to complete the study questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a socioeconomic section and collected information on perceived stress via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Results The overall PSS-14 score showed a moderate stress level. Our results showed that as age groups tended to rise, stress scores tended to decline. Diabetes was a significant variable contributing to high stress. Verbal abuse toward a child essentially reflects an increase in stress. Mothers with familial conflicts were more prone to high stress. Conclusions The consequences of VL on mothers and the whole family are alarming. Stress, verbal and physical abuse, and unhealthy family dynamics are strongly associated with such a way of learning. The impact of emotional and behavioral changes among this group of individuals needs to be further investigated.
