Four in 10 Adults With Chronic Pain Report Depression, Anxiety

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 8, 2025.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, March 7, 2025 -- Approximately 40 percent of adults with chronic pain experience depression or anxiety, according to a review published online March 7 in JAMA Network Open.

Rachel V. Aaron, Ph.D., from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain, as well as factors that moderate prevalence.

Based on 376 studies (50 countries and 347,468 individuals), the researchers found that among adults with chronic pain, clinical symptoms of depression were present in 39.3 percent (I2 = 98.9 percent) and clinical symptoms of anxiety were present in 40.2 percent (I2 = 99.0 percent). Prevalence varied with pain condition (highest for fibromyalgia [depression, 54.0 percent; anxiety, 55.5 percent] and lowest for arthritis conditions [depression, 29.1 percent; anxiety, 17.5 percent]). Prevalence was also higher among younger people (depression, β = −0.02; anxiety, β = −0.02) and women (depression, β = 0.69; anxiety, β = 0.90).

"This study suggests that the prevalences of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain are approximately 40 percent," the authors write. "To address this significant public health concern, it is essential to routinely screen for mental health symptoms in clinical settings where people with chronic pain are treated."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-03-08 12:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords