bTeam Experts are emphasizing the urgent need for immediate mental health support for individuals dealing with autoimmune diseases. According to recent research conducted by the University of Cambridge and King’s College London, over 50% of patients diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, are grappling with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. However, the study reveals that most of these patients rarely, if ever, discuss these symptoms during clinical visits.
The study, published in the journal Rheumatology, sheds light on the fact that a significant portion of these patients seldom disclose their mental health concerns to their healthcare providers. Furthermore, the range of potential mental and neurological symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases is more extensive than previously understood.
To gather data, the research team surveyed 1,853 patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) and also interviewed 289 clinicians, primarily consisting of rheumatologists, psychiatrists, and neurologists. They explored 30 different symptoms, including fatigue, hallucinations, anxiety, and depression, finding that many of these symptoms were highly prevalent among the patients. For example, 55% of SARD patients reported experiencing depression, 57% had anxiety, 89% faced severe fatigue, and 70% struggled with cognitive dysfunction. These figures were significantly higher than expected, surpassing those observed in a control group of healthy volunteers.
Interestingly, the mental health symptoms reported by patients sharply contrasted with the estimations made by clinicians. For instance, three times as many lupus patients disclosed experiencing suicidal thoughts compared to clinicians’ estimates (47% versus 15%). Clinicians were often taken aback by the frequency and range of symptoms reported by patients.
The study also uncovered differences in opinions among clinicians specializing in various aspects of care, with few hospitals having effective systems for interdisciplinary collaboration between rheumatologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists.
Dr. Tom Pollak from King’s College London stressed the importance of all healthcare professionals routinely inquiring about their patients’ mental well-being. He emphasized, “No patient should suffer in silence.”
The study also revealed that patients frequently hesitated to share their mental health issues with clinicians, fearing stigmatization. Even when they did communicate their symptoms, these concerns were often not acknowledged or documented accurately.
Dr. Melanie Sloan from the University of Cambridge expressed concern about the low level of reporting and stressed the importance of patient engagement in their healthcare. She noted that mental health, fatigue, and cognitive problems can have life-altering and sometimes life-threatening consequences.
While the study identified underreporting and underrecognition of neurological and psychiatric symptoms in clinical practice and research, it also highlighted clinicians’ strong motivation to improve patient care. Ongoing research into the behavioral and cognitive effects of chronic inflammation and potential biomarkers offers hope for better understanding and addressing these issues.
Sarah Campbell, Chief Executive of the British Society for Rheumatology, emphasized the need for integrated mental health support, given the prevalence and profound impact of neurological and psychiatric symptoms on patients. She highlighted the low presence of psychologists within rheumatology departments in England and Wales.
The Rt Hon the Lord Blunkett expressed deep concern about the mental health burden of chronic autoimmune diseases and called for increased funding and holistic care for affected individuals.
In conclusion, this research underscores the critical importance of addressing the mental health needs of autoimmune disease patients and promoting collaboration among healthcare providers to ensure both mental and physical well-being.
