OBJECTIVES: Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently suffer from concomitant pain symptoms, which are associated with higher depression severity and worse quality of life. We describe the baseline factors associated with pain persistence in patients with MDD during a 3-month follow-up period.
METHODS: Patients from Asia (n= 909) presenting with a new or first episode of MDD were enrolled in a 3-month prospective observational study. This report analyzes the 709 (78%) patients assessed at baseline and 3 months. Demographics, depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Scale), overall severity (Clinical Global Impression Severity score), somatic symptoms (Somatic Symptom Inventory) and quality of life (Euro QOL -5D) were assessed. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the relationship between baseline factors and pain persistence during followup.
RESULTS: Of the 709 patients analyzed, 349 (49%) had pain at baseline. Forty three per cent of the patients (151) having pain at baseline still presented with pain at 3-months. Patients with persistent pain had more frequently suffered from previous MDD episodes (54% vs 39%), were less likely to be older than 60 (11 vs. 21%), and had a higher number of medical comorbid conditions (14% vs 5% with two or more co-morbidities). The logistic model adjusting for other baseline covariates confirmed these results.
CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients with depression who presented with pain at baseline still suffered from pain symptoms at 3 months. A history of depression and the presence of other medical conditions were risk factors for pain persistence at 3-months.
