Chronic pain presenting as major depression in a cross-cultural setting.
We report on a female African immigrant who developed chronic pain as a consequence of osteomalacia. Due to cultural particularities in pain expression, her symptoms were first attributed to a major depressive episode. Cultural factors influencing pain perception and expression are reviewed. The importance of working with competent interpreters in cross-cultural settings is emphasized.
Alberque
C
C
Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland.
Eytan
A
A
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003469:Culture; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012720:Severity of Illness Index