Enhancing Depression Care Among Older Women Suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Self-Management Approach and Pre-Post Analysis

Objectives: Depression and arthritis are prevalent and debilitating conditions in older adults, often leading to a significant decline in the quality of life, especially among older women. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured self-management program in alleviating depression levels in older women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design: The study utilized a randomized controlled design and pre-post analysis. Setting: Tabriz, Iran. Participants: Women aged 60 and above with musculoskeletal issues, referred to outpatient services, were included in this study. Interventions: A six-week arthritis self-management program. Outcome Measures: Depression levels were evaluated before and after a six-week arthritis self-management intervention. The intervention group participated in the program while depression was measured using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and a demographic questionnaire. Results: All participants were female, aged 60–87. A significant reduction in depression scores was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.000). Within the intervention group, depression scores also demonstrated a significant decrease from baseline to post-intervention (P=0.000). Conclusions: The findings suggest that self-management programs are a feasible and effective approach to integrated care. The combination of exercise and educational interventions may partially explain the observed improvements in depression. Further research is needed to explore the long-term benefits of self-management strategies in reducing depression among older adults.