Depression commonly co-occurs with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

To assess the prevalence of depression, associated risk factors with depression and the impact of family support on depression in a sample of female patients with RA.

In a cross-sectional study, 100 female patients with RA were recruited in the study (mean age 39.98±7.4). Depression was diagnosed in those patients using the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV axis I disorders, clinical version (SCID-I-CV) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D), family support was assessed using the Family Cohesion Subscale of the Family Environment Scale, physical disability was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the disease activity was measured using The’Disease Activity Score’ for 28 joints (DAS 28).

The prevalence of depression among female patients with RA was 24% (24/100), there was a significant association between increased severity of physical disability and increased risk and severity of depression (B = 0.87, P = 0.02, odds ratio = 2.39, CI, 1.1– 4.2 and B = 0.15, P = 0.03 respectively) and there was a non significant association between disease severity and risk for depression (B = 0.42, P = 0.4, odds ratio = 0.6, CI, 0.2–1.8). Higher level of family support was significantly associated with decreased severity of depressive symptoms (B = −0.29, P = 0.001).

Increased physical disability was associated with greater risk of depression in female patients with RA. Higher level of family support may have an important role in improving the depressive symptoms.