Mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship of chronic pain and cardiovascular diseases among Chinese...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Chronic pain is a growing public health concern.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
• The interplay between chronic pain, mental health, and CVD is not fully understood, especially in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between chronic pain and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in a Chinese population.
• To examine the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the relationship between chronic pain and CVD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 6522 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.
• Weighted multivariate logistic regression and the distribution-of-product method were used to analyze associations and mediation effects.
• Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify specific populations affected.

Main Results:

• Chronic pain was significantly associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms (OR=3.85) and CVD (total effect RR=2.00).
• Depressive symptoms mediated 32.8% of the association between chronic pain and CVD.
• The mediation effect was more pronounced in females, individuals aged 45-65, non-drinkers, and those without hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Chronic pain is a significant risk factor for CVD in the Chinese population.
• Depressive symptoms play a crucial mediating role in this association.
• Targeting depressive symptoms may be a viable strategy to mitigate CVD risk in individuals with chronic pain.