# Suicidal ideation and interrelated psychiatric disturbances in rheumatoid arthritis: Evidence from a Vietnamese cohort

## TL;DR

This study finds that nearly 13% of Vietnamese rheumatoid arthritis patients experience suicidal thoughts, linked to high disease activity and mental health issues.

## Contribution

The study is the first to report on suicidal ideation and its psychiatric correlates in a Vietnamese rheumatoid arthritis cohort.

## Key findings

- 13.4% of RA patients in Vietnam reported suicidal ideation.
- Depression, anxiety, and insomnia were strongly interrelated among participants.
- High disease activity and treatment side effects were key predictors of poor mental health and quality of life.

## Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation among Vietnamese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to examine associated factors, other psychiatric disturbances, and quality of life (QoL).

A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2024 to December 2024 at Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi. Eligible patients met the 1987 ACR classification criteria for RA. Suicidal ideation was assessed through structured psychiatric interviews. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction were evaluated using the PHQ-9, HAM-A, ISI, and ASEX, respectively, while QoL was measured with the EQ-5D-5L. Correlation analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) explored interrelationships among psychiatric disturbances. Multivariable regression was applied to identify predictors of suicidal ideation, psychiatric symptoms, and QoL.

Among 187 participants (mean age 56.9 ± 12.7 years; 84.0% female), 13.4% reported suicidal ideation. Anxious (45.5%), insomnia (48.1%) and depressive symptoms (28.3%) were highly common, and depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms were strongly interrelated (e.g., r = 0.74–0.80). The mean EQ-5D-5L index value was 0.6 ± 0.2, indicating moderate impairment in overall QoL. SEM confirmed high correlation between psychiatric (DEP, ANX) and behavioral (SLP, SEX) disturbances. Multivariable analysis showed that high disease activity, joint deformity, and treatment-related adverse effects were consistently associated with suicidal ideation, psychiatric symptoms, and impaired QoL.

Suicidal ideation and other psychiatric disturbances are commonly observedamong patients with RA in Vietnam. Disease activity, structural damage, and medication-related adverse effects were major determinants, underscoring the need for integrated mental health screening and multidisciplinary management to optimize both clinical and psychosocial outcomes.