Study for Validation of Standardized Questionnaires on Depression and Investigation of the Frequency of Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Participants

Validation of Standardized Questionnaires on Depression for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) (VADERA I) and Investigation of the Frequency of Depression in RA (VADERA II)

The purpose of this study is to validate standardized questionnaires on depression for RA and to investigate the frequency of depression with RA. The study will include 2 parts, VADERA I and VADERA II. In VADERA I, 300 participants will be surveyed twice at an interval of 3 months regarding their current emotional condition using standardized questionnaires. On the basis of the results of VADERA I, in VADERA II, the selected questionnaire will be used to assess the prevalence of depression with RA in approximately 1000 participants.

VADERA I is regarded as interventional epidemiologic study. The study was considered as interventional because of the use of the questionnaires and interview for the diagnosis of depression. VADERA II is a cross-sectional epidemiologic study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• VADERA I: Participants diagnosed with RA, who did not suffer from a concurrent, manifest depressive disorder and had been scheduled for a RA consultation at one of the participating clinics
• VADERA II: All participants diagnosed with RA who were able to complete the questionnaires and had been scheduled for a RA consultation at one of the participating clinics