Document Type

Master's Culminating Experience

Publication Date

12-2-2022

Abstract

Objective As the population’s longevity is increasing over time, the number of comorbidities that individuals are suffering with are also becoming evident. The objective is to determine whether individuals living with arthritis have difficulty in social activity participation while suffering with depression. Using the 2019 National Health Interview Survey, this analysis included males and females between 18 to 85 years of age. The dependent variable was social activity participation, where it was identifying participants whether they are or are not having difficulty taking part in social activities. The primary independent variables were depression and arthritis. Other covariates included the demographics and the common comorbidities. Results Out of the 31,953 individuals who responded to having either social activity difficulty or no social activity difficulty, the average age was 52.01 years (SD 18.35) and 54.0% females. The primary variables were depression (17.0%), arthritis (25.7%), and respondents with social activity participation difficulty (10.2%). Then using the logistic regression analyses after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities; there was a 5-fold increase with a 95% Confidence Interval; for males and females in poor social activity participation for those living with both depression and arthritis compared to those without any condition. Conclusion Clinical depression and arthritis coexisting in individuals are at an increased risk of difficulty in social activity participation. Public health professionals should be aware that individuals with both arthritis and depression are greater risk of difficulty in social activity participation compared to individuals with only arthritis or individuals with only depression.

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