Four in 10 Adults With Chronic Pain Report Depression, Anxiety
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."
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.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Read this next
Drop in Hospital Salaries, Staffing Reported After Private Equity Acquisitions
FRIDAY, Sept. 26, 2025 -- U.S. hospitals that undergo private equity acquisition may reduce salaries and staffing after acquisition, especially in emergency departments (EDs) and...
Poor Mental Health Outcomes More Likely With Hyperemesis Gravidarum
FRIDAY, Sept. 26, 2025 -- Hyperemesis gravidarum is associated with an increased risk for poorer mental health outcomes compared with pregnancy without hyperemesis gravidarum...
Young Adult Cancer Survivors Face Higher Social Risks
FRIDAY, Sept. 26, 2025 -- Young adult cancer survivors face elevated social risks, according to a study presented at the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.