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Comorbidity of Pain and Psychoaffective Diseases — an Update

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2020

Claudia Sommer*
Affiliation:
Neurologische Klinik, Universtitätsklinikum Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, D-97080 Würzburg, Tel. +49 931 201 23763 [email protected]

Abstract

Objectives

To give an update on current knowledge about the comorbidity of pain and psychoaffective diseases

Methods

Literature search (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS), summary of recent own data

Results

Epidemiological studies report a mean prevalence rate of major depressive disorder in patients with chronic pain assessed in pain clinics of 52%, and a mean prevalence of pain in depressed patients of 65%. Patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome are 4.3 times more likely than healthy control subjects to develop major depressive disorder and 4.7 times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. The prevalence of anxiety disorders in patients with chronic arthritic pain is elevated relative to the general population (35 vs. 17%). Similar numbers have been reported for migraine and chronic back pain. Many biological factors overlap in patients with depression, chronic pain, and the fibromyalgia syndrome. For example, both patients with depression and patients with chronic pain often have cytokine profiles shifted toware the pro-inflammatory side. The downregulation of the neurotrophic factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is another common finding in pain and depression. Common genetic determinants have been described.

Conclusions

There is a high comorbidity between pain, depression, and anxiety. The causative connection between these disorders remains to be elucidated. A common biological basis has been hypothesized.

Type
Core Programme
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2010

Session: ECNP symposium hosted by EPA: “Pain and psychoaffective disorders: convergence versus specificity”

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