Shmuel Tiosano1,2, Yarden Yavne1,2, Abdulla Watad1,2, Pnina Langevitz2,3, Merav Lidar2,3, Joy Feld4, Moshe Tishler5, Suhail Aamar6, Ori Elkayam7, Alexandra Balbir-Gurman8, Yair Molad9, Sharon Ehrlich10, Mahmoud Abu-Shakra11, Daniela Amital12, Howard Amital1,2. 1. Department of Medicine 'B', Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. 2. Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. 3. Rheumatology Disease Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. 4. Rheumatology Unit, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. 5. Internal Department B, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zrifin, Israel. 6. Rheumatology Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus Medical Center, Jeursalem, Israel. 7. Rheumatology Department, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. 8. Rheumatology Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. 9. Institute of Rheumatology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 10. Roche Pharmaceuticals (Israel) Ltd., Hod HaSharon, Israel. 11. Soroka University Medical Center Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. 12. Ness Ziona Beer-Yaacov Mental Health Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are extremely prevalent among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we assessed the impact of treatment with tocilizumab (TCZ), an IL-6 antagonist, upon anxiety and depressive symptoms in a cohort of RA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study participants were adults diagnosed with RA who received a weekly subcutaneous injection of tocilizumab for 24 weeks. We used the Hamilton Depression (HDRS) and Anxiety (HAMA) scores in order to assess the severity of depression and anxiety, respectively. RA disease activity indices and depression and anxiety levels were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks and study completion. RESULTS: Ultimately, 91 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 54 years, and the majority were female (79%). The mean score in all disease activity indices as well as depression and anxiety levels decreased dramatically from baseline to study completion. Sixty patients (66%) demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety and/or depression levels. When logistic regression was performed, an HDRS score indicative of depression at study baseline demonstrated an independent association with a significant psychiatric response whilst older age and increased baseline weight were negatively associated. HAMA and HDRA scores correlated with the following RA disease activity parameters, respectively; HAQ-DI (r = .4, .42), DAS28 (r = .29, .32) and CDAI (0.28 and 0.33), all of them were statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated a favourable impact of TCZ therapy on parameters reflecting depression and anxiety severity in patients with RA.
BACKGROUND:Mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are extremely prevalent among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we assessed the impact of treatment with tocilizumab (TCZ), an IL-6 antagonist, upon anxiety and depressive symptoms in a cohort of RApatients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study participants were adults diagnosed with RA who received a weekly subcutaneous injection of tocilizumab for 24 weeks. We used the Hamilton Depression (HDRS) and Anxiety (HAMA) scores in order to assess the severity of depression and anxiety, respectively. RA disease activity indices and depression and anxiety levels were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks and study completion. RESULTS: Ultimately, 91 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 54 years, and the majority were female (79%). The mean score in all disease activity indices as well as depression and anxiety levels decreased dramatically from baseline to study completion. Sixty patients (66%) demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety and/or depression levels. When logistic regression was performed, an HDRS score indicative of depression at study baseline demonstrated an independent association with a significant psychiatric response whilst older age and increased baseline weight were negatively associated. HAMA and HDRA scores correlated with the following RA disease activity parameters, respectively; HAQ-DI (r = .4, .42), DAS28 (r = .29, .32) and CDAI (0.28 and 0.33), all of them were statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated a favourable impact of TCZ therapy on parameters reflecting depression and anxiety severity in patients with RA.
Authors: Mallory R Taylor; Cecilia J Hillard; William R Drobyski; Aniko Szabo; Bryon D Johnson; Fenlu Zhu; Charles L Raison; Steve W Cole; Jennifer M Knight Journal: Brain Behav Immun Health Date: 2022-06-11
Authors: Hasan Najah Smesam; Hasan Abbas Qazmooz; Sinan Qayes Khayoon; Abbas F Almulla; Hussein Kadhem Al-Hakeim; Michael Maes Journal: J Pers Med Date: 2022-03-16