Pain and the relationship with mood and anxiety disorders and psychological symptoms

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between pain and mood and anxiety disorders, as well as psychological symptoms, in a population-based sample of women.

This study examined the data collected from 1067 women aged 20-93years (median 51years) participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Mood and anxiety disorders were diagnosed using a clinical interview (SCID-I/NP) and psychological symptomatology was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire. Pain was determined using a Visual Analogue Scale (0-100mm) and deemed present if score≥40mm.

Current mood disorders were associated with an increased likelihood of overall (OR=3.2, 95% CI 2.0-5.1), headache (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.6-4.8), back (OR=4.0, 95% CI 2.5-6.5) and shoulder pain (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2). In those with current mood disorders, the pain interfered with daily activities (OR=3.2, 95% CI 1.9-5.5) and was present most of their time awake (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.1). This pattern was similarly observed for those with past mood disorders. Current anxiety disorders were associated with an increased likelihood for overall (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.6), headache (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.3-4.0), back (OR=1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0) and shoulder pain (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.5, p=.05). In those with current anxiety disorders, the pain interfered with daily activities (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.4-4.1) and was present most of their time awake (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.2). There was no association between pain and past anxiety. Psychological symptomatology was associated with pain at each site (all p<.001).

This study is consistent with studies utilising clinical samples in reporting that mood and anxiety disorders, as well as psychological symptoms, are associated with higher levels of perceived pain.