Pain and the relationship with mood and anxiety disorders and psychological symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the association between pain and mood and anxiety disorders, as well as psychological symptoms, in a population-based sample of women.


METHODS
This study examined the data collected from 1067 women aged 20-93years (median 51years) participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Mood and anxiety disorders were diagnosed using a clinical interview (SCID-I/NP) and psychological symptomatology was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire. Pain was determined using a Visual Analogue Scale (0-100mm) and deemed present if score≥40mm.


RESULTS
Current mood disorders were associated with an increased likelihood of overall (OR=3.2, 95% CI 2.0-5.1), headache (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.6-4.8), back (OR=4.0, 95% CI 2.5-6.5) and shoulder pain (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2). In those with current mood disorders, the pain interfered with daily activities (OR=3.2, 95% CI 1.9-5.5) and was present most of their time awake (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.1). This pattern was similarly observed for those with past mood disorders. Current anxiety disorders were associated with an increased likelihood for overall (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.6), headache (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.3-4.0), back (OR=1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0) and shoulder pain (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.5, p=.05). In those with current anxiety disorders, the pain interfered with daily activities (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.4-4.1) and was present most of their time awake (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.2). There was no association between pain and past anxiety. Psychological symptomatology was associated with pain at each site (all p<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study is consistent with studies utilising clinical samples in reporting that mood and anxiety disorders, as well as psychological symptoms, are associated with higher levels of perceived pain.
Deakin University, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia. lanaw@barwonhealth.org.au
Lana J
LJ
Williams
Julie A
JA
Pasco
Felice N
FN
Jacka
Seetal
S
Dodd
Michael
M
Berk
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult