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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
07:08
Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice
Published on: September 29, 2021
Symptom cluster: Depression and pain
Riccardo G V Torta1, Jacopo Munari
1Clinical and Oncological Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. walgianni@hotmail.it
Surgical Oncology
|January 29, 2010
Summary
Pain and depression frequently co-occur in cancer patients. Combined therapies, including antidepressants, are more effective for managing pain and improving mood in oncology patients, particularly the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
- Pain Management
Background:
- Pain and depression are highly associated in cancer patients, with reciprocal influences.
- Somatic symptoms of depression include pain, while chronic pain involves emotional and cognitive aspects like anxiety and depressed mood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the reciprocal influence of pain and depression in oncology.
- To explore the role of antidepressant drugs (ADs) in managing oncological pain.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of combined antalgic therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of biological, emotional, and cognitive mechanisms linking pain and depression.
- Discussion of pharmacological treatments, specifically antidepressant drugs (ADs).
- Analysis of evidence for combined antalgic therapies (analgesics, ADs, psychotherapies).
Main Results:
- Antidepressant drugs (ADs) offer direct and indirect pain mitigation and improve cognitive attitudes toward pain.
- Combined antalgic therapies demonstrate greater effectiveness than single treatments.
- Combined therapies are particularly effective in elderly oncological patients.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between pain and depression in oncology requires integrated treatment approaches.
- Combined antalgic therapies, including analgesics and antidepressants, are crucial for comprehensive pain and mood management in cancer patients.
- Multimodal treatment strategies are essential, especially for vulnerable populations like elderly cancer patients.
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