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Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Pain Intensity in Patients With Arthritis
Limei Jiang1, Ming Tang2, Yufan Zheng3
1Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Brain and Behavior
|May 19, 2026
Summary
Pain significantly increases depression risk in arthritis patients. Factors like education and self-rated health offer protection, highlighting the need for integrated care.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology and Psychiatry
- Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases
- Mental Health in Chronic Illness
Background:
- Arthritis causes joint pain and stiffness, impairing function and increasing depression risk.
- The specific impact of pain on depressive symptoms in arthritis patients requires further study.
- Understanding this link is crucial for improving arthritis patient mental health and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pain intensity and depressive symptoms in arthritis patients.
- To identify demographic and health-related factors influencing this association.
- To explore potential protective factors against depressive symptoms in this population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1020 arthritis patients from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2020.
- Assessment of depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10).
- Binary logistic regression used to examine pain's association with depressive symptoms, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- Arthritis patients with pain had a significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms (OR = 1.743, p = 0.002).
- Protective factors included older age, higher education, better self-rated health, internet use, and housework ability.
- The pain-depression link was stronger in males, younger patients (<65 years), and those with lower education.
Conclusions:
- Pain is an independent risk factor for depressive symptoms in arthritis patients, with varying impact across subgroups.
- Higher education, positive self-rated health, and social/functional connectivity are protective psychological resources.
- Personalized clinical strategies integrating pain management, psychological support, and functional promotion are recommended.
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