Pain complaints in depressed inpatients

Pain complaints were assessed in 150 depressed inpatients at admission (D0), after 10 days (D10) and 28 days of treatment (D28) using the Symptom Check List, 90 items, revised version (SCL-90R). Pain complaints were present in 92% of patients at D0, several pain complaints being reported by 76% of patients. Headache and chest pain were more frequent in women, whereas myalgia and numbness were more frequent in men. Pain complaints were related to depressive and anxious complaints as assessed by the SCL-90R, but not to age, suicide attempts and depression severity as assessed by the psychiatrist. Pain complaints decreased between D0 and D10, whereas depression scores decreased both between D0 and D10 and between D10 and D28. As compared to responders to treatment at D28, nonresponders had lower Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores at D0 and higher pain complaint scores at D0 and D10.