[Beck Inventory depression assessment in chronic pain patients].
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic studies indicate that depression is a common comorbidity associated with chronic pain states. Both conditions are so interwoven and emerging evidence suggests that they share common pathways.


OBJECTIVE
This study purpose was to assess the prevalence of depression n a sample of chronic pain patients.


METHODS
100 chronic pain patients were investigated through the Beck Depression Inventory to evaluate depresseion degree and througt the visual analogical test to evaluate chronic pain degree. All patients belonged to the unique Tunisian Pain Management Centre.


RESULTS
The prevalence of major depression reached 59% (27.5% had a mild depression, 26.5% had a moderate depression and 5% had a severe depression). The rate of major depression increased significantly with longer pain history. Our results are similars to those of literature. Despite this high depression prevalence, only one patient out of ten received an effective antidepressant.


CONCLUSIONS
A treatment and a seek for depressive symptoms are needed in case of chronic pain.
Cheour
Majda
M
Service des consultations et des urgences, hôpital Razi, mannouba, Tunisie.
Ellouze
Ften
F
Zine
Ilhem
I
Haddad
Monia
M
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index