Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Takayasu Arteritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Aims: The primary aims of this study were to estimate the frequency of depressive symptoms in Takayasu arteritis (TAK), to identify factors contributing to depression risk, and to evaluate the correlation between symptom severity and quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was carried out, enrolling 74 TAK patients and 148 healthy volunteers matched for age and sex. Depressive status was screened using Zung’s Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), while QoL was measured with the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of depressive symptoms. Results: Takayasu arteritis patients had higher SDS scores than the control group (P < .001). Self-rating Depression Scale scores ≥50, indicative of depressive symptoms, were observed in 46 of the 74 TAK patients (62.2%), compared with 57 (38.5%) of the controls. The presence of TAK-associated specific symptoms (odds ratio = 5.609; 95% CI: 1.883-16.711; P = .002) were significant risk factors for SDS-defined depressive symptoms. Compared with healthy controls, TAK patients exhibited significantly lower scores across multiple QoL domains, namely physical functioning, physical role, vitality, social functioning, general health, and emotional role. Self-rating Depression Scale scores were negatively correlated with physical functioning (rs = −0.270, P = .019), physical role (rs = −0.422, P < .001), emotional role (rs = −0.412, P < .001), and mental health (rs = −0.545, P < .001). Conclusion: A high prevalence of depressive symptoms is observed in TAK patients. The presence of TAK-associated specific symptoms suggests a possible association with SDS-defined depressive symptoms. Cite this article as: Wang W, Wang J, Xiao G, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms in patients with Takayasu arteritis: A cross-sectional study. Published online November 02, 2026. doi: 10.5152/ArchRheumatol.2026.26435.