Anxiety and depression in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome

Objective. To examine the degree of anxiety and depression and to assess we ll being and general symptoms in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome ( SS), Methods. A standardized questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, was used to examine the degree of anxiety and depression in patients with primary SS (n = 62) and in age marched healthy female controls. The G othenburg quality of life instrument (GQOL) was used to assess well being a nd general symptoms. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 38) were u sed as patient controls. Results. The patients with primary SS had significantly higher scoring rate for "possible" clinical anxiety (48%) and for "possible" clinical depressi on (32%) compared with reference groups (p < 0.05), The physical and mental well being of the patients with primary SS were significantly reduced comp ared with controls. Furthermore, patients with primary SS complained more c ommonly of low mood, irritability, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, and impaired concentration and memory than the patients with RA. Conclusion, The results indicate that patients with primary SS often have p sychiatric symptoms and worse well being, which may affect their quality of life.