[Rheumatic disease and depression].

We reviewed depressive symptoms in rheumatic disease. In systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), depressive symptoms are frequently mentioned with the prevalence rate about 30% and usually respond to antidepressant. The duration of symptoms is within two months in most patients. Antibodies to ribosomal P protein appear to be a specific marker for SLE with depression. Single photon emission tomography but magnetic resonance imaging may also be useful for predicting the development of depressive symptoms. We also reported a patient of dermatomyositis with manic-depressive state who showed decreased cerebral blood flow in the left frontal and temporal regions during depressive state.