A cross-sectional observational study on the levels of anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms in patients with chronic pain undergoing physiotherapy treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pain is one of the most common complaints with which patients present to the physiotherapist. Somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression are common in this group of patients. The present study was carried out to assess the levels of somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression in patients with chronic pain. Materials and Methods: About 200 patients (113 male and 87 females) with chronic pain were subjects of the study. They were administered the Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire, Somatic Symptom Severity-8 scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The scores were assessed using descriptive statistics and correlation where needed. Results: Grade II or moderate pain was the commonest severity of pain reported (42 males and 34 females). Most patients reported a low prevalence of somatic symptoms (43 males and 39 females). Combined anxiety and depression levels were seen across both genders (56 males and 52 females). A positive correlation between chronic pain grade and levels of anxiety and depression as well as severity of somatic symptoms were noted across both genders (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Levels of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms are common in patients with chronic pain and also are directly related to the level of intensity of pain.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• chronic pain
• depression
• pain
• somatic symptoms