The presence of chronic pain in patients with major depressive disorder and its inter-correlation

Abstract

Introduction

Chronic pain is a common experienced symptom among patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). The intensity of depression and chronic pain inter-correlated, having negative impact on the daily functioning of the patients.

Objectives

Our aim was to explore the presence of chronic pain in patients diagnosed with MDD (single episode or recurrent), correlation between intensity of depression and chronic pain, its interference on daily functioning, as well as sex differences regarding the explored variables.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 51 (62.2%) female and 31 (37.8%) male patients diagnosed with MDD (n = 82), aged between 18 and 65 years old (mean age of 46.21). Assessment instruments included The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), The Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI) (consisting of BPI-I factor of pain intensity, and BPI-II-factor of pain interference with daily functioning), and semistructured questionnaire for sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

The presence of chronic pain was found in the 51 (62, 2%) of patients with MDD. The mean score on the BDI-II for the whole sample was 22.5 (SD 12.8). There was a positive correlation between intensity of depression (BDI-II) and intensity of chronic pain (BPI-1), and its interference on the level of daily functioning (BPI-2) (P < 0.01). Women diagnosed with MDD experienced chronic pain of higher intensity and with greater interference on daily functioning.

Conclusion

Our research data show a high frequency of chronic pain among patients diagnosed with MDD and its positive inter-correlation which results in negative impact on daily functioning, especially in females.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.