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  • What We've Learned
Mental health matters for people with arthritis
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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 did we do this research?

There is limited research on the link between arthritis and mental health. The goal of this research was to better understand arthritis and mental health. Arthritis and psychiatric conditions like depression are closely connected, and inflammation seems to play a big role in both. However, even though this link is important, research on this issue is limited. This was one of the first studies of its kind in Canada on mental health in people with arthritis. We did this research in hopes of improving awareness of how arthritis affects mental health and how we can improve care for patients.

What did we do?

We used health data from British Columbia, Canada, on doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, and prescriptions, to conduct two studies.

We wanted to understand:

  • What does someone's mental health look like when they're first diagnosed with arthritis, and did the mental health challenges start before or after the arthritis? (study 1)
  • Are people with arthritis who also have depression or anxiety getting the mental health care they need—including both medications and counselling—compared to those without arthritis? (study 2)

What is the impact for people living with arthritis?

This research helps us better understand how arthritis and mental health problems like depression and anxiety often go hand in hand. It also shows that many people with arthritis, when diagnosed with depression and anxiety, are not getting the mental health support they need. Treating mental health is just as important as managing physical symptoms. We need to raise awareness and advocate for better mental health care for people with arthritis, so they receive the full support they need for their overall well-being.

The Research Team

Principal Investigators

  • Mary De Vera, MSc, PhD , Senior Scientist, Pharmacoepidemiology, Associate Director of Training, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Co-investigators

  • Deborah Da Costa, PhD , Senior Scientist, Psychology, Arthritis Research Canada (McGill University)
  • John Esdaile, MD, MPH, FRCPC, FCAHS, MACR , Scientific Director Emeritus, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Joseph H. Puyat, School of Population and Public Health (University of British Columbia)
  • Kamran Shojania, MD, FRCPC , Clinical Trialist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC , Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Alyssa Howren , BS, MSc, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar (Stanford University)
  • Former Arthritis Research Canada Trainee
  • Eileen Davidson , Arthritis Research Canada Arthritis Patient Advisory Board Member

How Can People Get Involved?

The research team included practicing rheumatologists and clinician researchers, research scientists with expertise in epidemiology, health services and biostatistics, a PhD trainee, and a patient-research partner.

Media and Infographics

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