A recent systematic review examined the prevalence of depression in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) using self-assessment tools such as the Beck Depression Inventory.
The review found that depression is highly prevalent among SSc patients, with rates ranging from 36% to 65%, which is significantly higher than in the general population.
Depression in these patients may result from biological, cognitive, and social factors and can negatively impact treatment adherence and social behavior.
The study highlights the importance of screening for depression in SSc patients to provide timely support and improve care.
Interestingly, specific autoantibodies associated with SSc do not seem to influence depression risk.
Addressing depression could be crucial for enhancing the quality of life for those living with systemic sclerosis Mehmetoglu et al.