Grant: Undergraduate: Summer Studentship Award - Institute Community Support

Many women are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during childbearing years. Evidence shows substantial prevalence and incidence of mental health complications, namely anxiety and depression among individuals with RA. However, there are currently very little data and no systematic reviews on the prevalence and incidence of depression and anxiety in women living with RA during pregnancy or postpartum, despite this population being at risk for developing depression. Considering the increased risk of depression in the RA population and the lack of pooled information for antepartum and postpartum depression in RA patients, we decided to address this knowledge gap and conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to look at mental health in RA pregnancies. The overall objective of this project is to address the understudied issue of mental health among pregnant and postpartum women with RA. The specific objectives of this project are to: 1) determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women with RA during pregnancy; and 2) determine the incidence of postpartum depression among women with RA.