Relationships among pain, anxiety, and depression in primary care

Abstract

Pain, anxiety, and depression are commonly seen in primary care patients and there is considerable evidence that these experiences are related. This study examined associations between symptoms of pain and symptoms and diagnoses of anxiety and depression in primary care patients. Results indicate that primary care patients who endorse symptoms of muscle pain, headache, or stomach pain are approximately 2.5-10 times more likely to screen positively for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or major depressive disorder. Endorsement of pain symptoms was also significantly associated with confirmed diagnoses of several of the anxiety disorders and/or major depression, with odds ratios ranging from approximately 3 to 9 for the diagnoses. Patients with an anxiety or depressive disorder also reported greater interference from pain. Similarly, patients endorsing pain symptoms reported lower mental health functioning and higher scores on severity measures of depression, social anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Mediation analyses indicated that depression mediated some, but not all of the relationships between anxiety and pain. Overall, these results reveal an association between reports of pain symptoms and not only depression, but also anxiety. An awareness of these relationships may be particularly important in primary care settings where a patient who presents with reports of pain may have an undiagnosed anxiety or depressive disorder.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Anxiety and Delivery Pain

“…The enhancement of anxiety also increased the pain felt by the mothers and it was statistically significant. The result of this study was in line with a study by Means-Christensen et al, (2008).…”

“…This causes the patient anxiety and chronic muscle tension and add to the pain. According to the study of (Means-Christensen et al, 2008), it is stated that patients with muscle pain, headaches or abdominal pain about 2.5 to 10 times are at risk of panic attacks, anxiety disorders and major depression.…”

A difficult combination: chronic physical illness, depression, and pain

“…Similarly, pain and depression commonly coexist. It has been shown that there is a 2.5-10 times increase in anxiety or major depression in patients with pain, 4 that pain in diabetes is strongly associated with depression (P<0.001), 5 and that the onset of depression is associated with an increasing number of pain locations (P<0.001) and higher severity of pain (P<0.001). 6 Furthermore, there is concern that presence of pain negatively affects recognition and treatment of depression: depressed patients are more likely to present with pain symptoms than low mood.…”

Spirituality and religion in pain and pain management

“…In another study found that there is a cyclical pattern of chronic pain leading to depression and depression causing a increase in chronic pain, creating a mutually reinforcing relationship. [7][8][9] Also, family and caregivers' beliefs and attitudes towards pain, either positively and negatively to tolerate and express pain are important. Health professionals who provide care to patients with chronic pain are the most important agents for pain management.…”