OBJECTIVES: Limited information currently exists regarding the additional influence of depression on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and disability status among adults with arthritis.  This study aimed to determine the relationship between depression, HRQOL and disability status of adults with arthritis in the United States (US). METHODS: A cross-sectional design using the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data was utilized.  The study sample comprised of adults (≥18 years) with arthritis.  Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to the data to examine the association between depression and different components of HRQOL (physical health, mental health, activity limitation due to poor physical/mental health, and general health status), and disability status among adults with arthritis.  Survey analyses were conducted using SASv9.3 (PROC SURVEY procedures). RESULTS: The study sample comprised of 168,483 individuals with arthritis, of which 45,758 were also diagnosed with depression.  Adults with arthritis and depression were 84% less likely to report better mental health (<14 mentally unhealthy days) and 37% less likely to report better physical health as compared to those with arthritis only, after controlling for demographics and health-related covariates.  Adults with arthritis and depression were 41% less likely to report good health status as compared to those with arthritis only.  Adults with arthritis and depression were 1.4 times more likely to be disabled as compared to adults with arthritis only.  The estimated odds of being disabled were 64% lower among adults with arthritis who reported being in good health as compared to those in poor health.  CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that depression among adults with arthritis is associated with reduced HRQOL.  Screening for depression can be incorporated in routine clinical care of adults with arthritis so that early diagnosis of depression can result in improvement in their HRQOL.