Mind over matter? A cross-sectional study exploring the influence of depression versus physical disability on patient-reported wellbeing in inclusion body myositis

• Reduced wellbeing is more strongly correlated with depression than disability. • People living with IBM report reduced wellbeing compared to age-matched population. • Depressive symptoms were moderate to severe in 78.2 % of participants. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships between physical disability, depression, and wellbeing in people with inclusion body myositis, a rare and progressively disabling muscle disease. The study investigated the relative influence of physical disability and depression on an individual's wellbeing. The Neuromuscular Symptom Score, Personal Wellbeing Index, and Patient Health Questionnaire surveys were used as measures of physical disability, wellbeing, and depression respectively. Surveys were administered via an online questionnaire to inclusion body myositis patients across Australia. One hundred and one participants completed the study. Linear regression identified that depression scores were significantly correlated with wellbeing, however physical disability scores were not, with a negative predictive value of depression for wellbeing (-2.7513, p < 0.001) and a positive predictive value of disability for wellbeing (0.0575, p = 0.764). Moderate to severe depression was reported in 78.2 % of participants, and all but one participant reported reduced wellbeing. The study found that depression scores are a stronger predictor of wellbeing versus physical disability in inclusion body myositis. The study also identified a high prevalence of depression and reduced wellbeing in participants, highlighting the significance of the impact of mental health in people living with this disease.