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  • What We're Working On
Mapping the epidemiology and the role of treatments in mental health complications in inflammatory arthritis (MATTERS)
matters-study-mary-de-vera
Scientific Study Title:
Mapping the epidemiology and the role of treatments in mental health complications in inflammatory arthritis (MATTERS)
Start Date:
  • 2019
End Date:
  • 2021
Research Category
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Why do this research?

Arthritis is a very painful condition that affects over 6 million Canadians. The goal of this research is to study mental health in people with arthritis. This is an understudied issue despite the complex relationship between arthritis and psychiatric conditions. A better understanding of mental health complications will help improve care for people with arthritis and bring awareness to the equal importance of mental health to physical health.

What will be done?

We will use “big data” in BC, which links all health data on doctor visits, hospitalizations, and prescriptions for the entire population of British Columbia. We will evaluate whether the number of people newly diagnosed with arthritis who also have depression and/or anxiety has increased over time. We will also evaluate the onset of depression and anxiety after diagnosis of arthritis, including when it occurs and associated factors. Finally, we will study how depression and anxiety are treated among people with arthritis and whether medications (biologics) for arthritis may reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.

The Research Team

Principal Investigators

  • Mary De Vera, PhD , Assistant Professor at UBC’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Research Scientist at ARC, Associate Director Education at Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation

How Can People Get Involved?

Alyssa Howren, MSc, PhD Student at UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Trainee at ARC

Eileen Davidson , Patient Partner, ARC Arthritis Patient Advisory Board

Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, PhD , Associate Professor at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Research Scientist at ARC

John Esdaile MD, MPH , Professor at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scientific Director at ARC

Kam Shojania, MD , Clinical Professor and Head of UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology

Deborah Da Costa, PhD , Associate Professor at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine

Joseph H. Puyat, PhD , Assistant Professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health, Scientist at the Centre for Health Outcomes and Evaluation Sciences, and Scientist at the Mental Health Program at Providence Health Care

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