Prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with chronic pain with no history of psychiatric diseases

Abstract

Background Depression is the most common psychiatric disease related to chronic pain. The incidence of depression is higher among patients with chronic pain than in the general population. In Korea, the study of these comorbidities is insufficient. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of unrecognized depressive symptoms in patients with chronic pain with no history of psychiatric diseases. Methods Patients with chronic pain for more than six months with no history of psychiatric disease were selected. The Beck Depression Index (BDI) self-reported questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) self-reported questionnaire were used to evaluate depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances respectively. Socio-demographic characteristics and pain-related characteristics were recorded. Results Ninety-four patients participated in this study. Based on the BDI score, 35.1% of patients with chronic pain had comorbid depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher than in the general population (P < 0.001, 95% CI: 25.73–45.71). The standardized incidence ratio, adjusted for age and sex, was 2.77 in men and 2.60 in women. Patients with low education levels (OR = 14.022, 95% CI: 2.393–94.303, P = 0.004), who were unmarried (OR = 32.514, 95% CI: 3.076–343.681, P = 0.004), who were not economically active (OR = 5.274, 95% CI: 1.022–27.212, P = 0.047), and who had higher NRS score (OR = 1.564, 95% CI: 1.084–2.256, P = 0.017) were more likely to have moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Conclusions The results indicate that unrecognized depressive symptoms in patients with chronic pain are common. Pain physicians should pay particular attention to the psychological problems of patients with chronic pain.