The DOI matches its Crossref record; 54 of the 54 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Pain and Depression: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Background: Pain comorbid with depression is frequently encountered in clinical settings and often leads to significant impaired functioning. Given the complexity of comorbidities, it is important to address both pain and depressive symptoms when evaluating treatment options. Aim: To review studies addressing pain comorbid with depression, and to report the impact of current treatments. Method: A systematic search of the literature databases was conducted according to predefined criteria. Two authors independently conducted a focused analysis of the full-text articles and reached a consensus on 28 articles to be included in this review. Results: Overall, studies suggested that pain and depression are highly intertwined and may co-exacerbate physical and psychological symptoms. These symptoms could lead to poor physical functional outcomes and longer duration of symptoms. An important biochemical basis for pain and depression focuses on serotonergic and norepinephrine systems, which is evident in the pain-ameliorating properties of serotonergic and norepinephrine antidepressants. Alternative pharmacotherapies such as ketamine and cannabinoids appear to be safe and effective options for improving depressive symptoms and ameliorating pain. In addition, cognitive-behavioral therapy may be a promising tool in the management of chronic pain and depression. Conclusion: The majority of the literature indicates that patients with pain and depression experience reduced physical, mental, and social functioning as opposed to patients with only depression or only pain. In addition, ketamine, psychotropic, and cognitive-behavioral therapies present promising options for treating both pain and depression.
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“Patients with pain and depression also experience lower physical, mental, and social functioning compared to patients with pain or depression only. 13”
In the citing paper
“The numerous physical and psychosocial challenges associated with living with chronic pain may naturally contribute to symptoms of depression [57,58].”
From Short-Term Findings From Testing EPIO, a Digital Self-Management Program for People Living With Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [57]
Citations
Cites
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Rosoff, D. B., Smith, G. D., & Lohoff, F. W. (2021) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3554 · Cited by 186
Galvez-Sánchez, C. M., Montoro, C. I., Moreno-Padilla, M., Reyes del Paso, G. A., & de la Coba, P. (2021) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm10122706 · Cited by 45
“Besides, due to the complexity of this comorbidity, it is important to address both pain and depressive symptoms when evaluating treatment options [118].”
BackgroundDepressive symptoms predict clinical recurrence of inflammatory bowel disease
Jordi, S. B. U., Lang, B. M., Auschra, B., von Känel, R., Biedermann, L., Greuter, T., Schreiner, P., Rogler, G., Krupka, N., Sulz, M. C., et al. (2022) · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · doi:10.1093/ibd/izab136 · Cited by 41
Pain management in people with severe mental illness: an agenda for progress
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Osma, J., Martínez-García, L., Quilez-Orden, A., & Peris-Baquero, Ó. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18105077 · Cited by 34
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Kim, S., Lee, J., & Boone, D. (2022) · Journal of Pain Research · doi:10.2147/jpr.s340382 · Cited by 26
Bostrøm, K., Børøsund, E., Eide, H., Varsi, C., Kristjansdottir, Ó. B., Schreurs, K. M. G., Waxenberg, L. B., Weiss, K. E., Morrison, E. J., Stavenes Støle, H., et al. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/47284 · Cited by 12
“The numerous physical and psychosocial challenges associated with living with chronic pain may naturally contribute to symptoms of depression [57,58].”
Peñacoba, C., Ecija, C., Gutiérrez, L., & Catalá, P. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20065005 · Cited by 2
“In addition, it has been proven that depression can exacerbate physical pain and cause fatigue and a feeling of exhaustion, which could make it even more difficult for these patients to find benefits in carrying out the behavior of walking [70,71].”
BackgroundPrice-Haywood, E. G., Burton, J. H., Harden-Barrios, J., Bazzano, A., Shi, L., Lefante, J., & Jamison, R. N. (2024) · Journal of General Internal Medicine · doi:10.1007/s11606-024-08965-7 · Cited by 2
Metadata
- Authors
- IsHak, W. W., Wen, R. Y., Naghdechi, L., Vanle, B., Dang, J., Knosp, M., Dascal, J., Marcia, L., Gohar, Y., Eskander, L., Yadegar, J., Hanna, S., Sadek, A., Aguilar-Hernandez, L., Danovitch, I., & Louy, C.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Riverside (US)
- Corresponding author
- IsHak, Waguih William
- ORCID
- Venue
- Harvard Review of Psychiatry
- Published
- 2018-11
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 352-363
- ISSN
- 1067-3229 (ISSN-L)
- 1465-7309
- OpenAlex
- W2921028723
- Cited by
- 498
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 38 · 2025: 76 · 2024: 82 · 2023: 79 · 2022: 80 · 2021: 62 · 2020: 76 · 2019: 4
- FWCI
- 4.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Harvard Review of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Keywords
- pain-depression comorbidity, chronic pain, depression, serotonergic antidepressants, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, ketamine, cannabinoids, cognitive behavioral therapy, functional disability
- MeSH terms
- Depressive Disorder, Humans, Comorbidity, Chronic Pain
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