Key clinical point: In a multivariate analysis, women who met criteria for depression using a composite definition were significantly more likely than non-depressed women to develop seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over at least 4 years’ follow-up.

Major finding: Women with depression were at significantly increased risk for seronegative RA (hazard ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-2.32), but not seropositive RA (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.97-1.49), compared to women without depression.

Study details: The data come from a cohort study of 195,358 women who were enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study parts I (1992-2014) and II (1993-2015); depression was defined as a combination of clinical diagnosis, antidepressant use, or score on the Mental Health Inventory-5 subscale of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health. Lead author Dr. Sparks disclosed support from the Rheumatology Research Foundation K Supplement Award and the R. Bruce and Joan M. Mickey Research Scholar Fund.