Self-reported depression profiles in chronic pain and family practice patients

This study examined profiles of self-reported depressive symptoms in chronic pain patients (n = 51), family practice outpatients (n = 52), and controls (n = 53) who were receiving neither psychological nor medical treatment and were pain free. Subjects in the three groups were matched for age and sex. The short form of the Multiscore Depression Inventory (SMDI) was used. Chronic pain and family practice groups had similar SMDI profiles, with significant elevations on Low Energy, Pessimism, Sad Mood, and Low Self-Esteem subscales compared with controls. Although both groups of medical patients were depressed compared with control subjects, their SMDI profiles were different from those previously reported for psychiatric inpatients with a diagnosis of depression.