OBJECTIVE: To estimate rates of suicidal behaviors and treated depression in 
patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in comparison to non-PsA patients.
METHODS: Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, we conducted a cohort 
study of patients with PsA compared to non-PsA patients. Patients with codes for 
suicidal behaviors (ideation, attempts, and suicide) and treated depression 
(diagnosis plus anti-depressant prescription) recorded during follow-up were 
identified as cases. We estimated incidence rates (IRs) and incidence rate 
ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome and 
stratified results in the PsA cohort by receipt of systemic PsA drugs.
RESULTS: The rates of suicide ideation, attempt, and suicide were similar for 
PsA and non-PsA patients [IRR = 0.99 (95%CI: 0.67-1.47), IRR = 1.07 (95%CI: 
0.86-1.34), and 0.34 (95%CI: 0.05-2.48), respectively] and rates of suicidal 
behaviors were slightly higher among PsA patients who received PsA drugs 
compared to those who did not. PsA patients had slightly higher rate of treated 
depression compared to non-PsA patients [IRR = 1.38 (95%CI: 1.27-1.49)] and were 
significantly higher in PsA patients who received drugs [IRR = 1.59 (95%CI: 
1.35-1.86)].
CONCLUSIONS: Rate of depression was higher in patients with PsA compared to 
non-PsA patients. The rate of suicidal behaviors was similar between the two 
cohorts.