title: [Pain Symptoms as Predictors of Depressive or Anxiety Disorders in Patients with Physical Illness].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of pain symptoms reported by patients of non-psychiatric hospital departments and to explore their association with affective and anxiety disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients of non-psychiatric hospital departments (n = 290) reported pain symptoms by filling in a self-rating questionnaire. Psychiatric examinations were performed by psychiatrists using a structured diagnostic interview. The sum-scores of self-reported pain symptoms were tested for their screening accuracy for anxiety and depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients suffering from affective or anxiety disorders reported significantly more often three or more pain symptoms (63 % vs. 28 %). Using a cut-off value of ≥ 3 of self-reported pain symptoms yielded a sensitivity of 63.1 % and a specificity of 71.7 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the relevance of a higher number of pain symptoms as a possible indicator for affective and anxiety disorders. The use of pain symptoms as pre-screening for depression and anxiety might be a useful tool, but needs further research before it can be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freidl
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Topitz
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Sozialpsychiatrie, Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katschnig
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, Großbritannien.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: Litvan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zsuzsa
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sibitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires