Key result
Depressive symptoms linked to ~113% higher odds of analgesic use and longer duration.
Why the study?
Although pain and depression frequently co-occur, the relationship between depressive symptom severity and both the odds and duration of analgesic use remains underexplored.
Is greater depressive symptom severity associated with increased odds and duration of analgesic use?
Cross-Sectional (n=36,023)
Is greater depressive symptom severity associated with increased odds and duration of analgesic use?
Greater depressive symptom severity is significantly associated with both an increased likelihood and longer duration of analgesic use, highlighting the need for integrated pain and psychiatric care.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Depressive symptom severity was associated with higher analgesic use; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective studies before informing practice.
Although pain and depression frequently co-occur, the relationship between depressive symptom severity and both the odds and duration of analgesic use remains underexplored. This study investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms and analgesic use, with particular attention to the duration of use. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A total of 36,023 participants (51.14% women) were included. Each 1-point increase in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score was associated with a higher likelihood of analgesic use (adjusted odds ratio=1.08 and 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.09). Compared to individuals with minimal depressive symptoms, those with mild (adjusted odds ratio=1.66 and 95% confidence interval: 1.45–1.90), moderate (adjusted odds ratio=2.17 and 95% confidence interval: 1.77–2.67), and severe symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=2.97, 95% confidence interval: 2.41–3.67) had progressively higher odds of analgesic use. Overall, depressive symptoms were associated with more than twice the odds of analgesic use (adjusted odds ratio=2.13 and 95% confidence interval: 1.82–2.48). Higher Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores were associated with increased odds of longer analgesic use (>15 d; adjusted odds ratio=1.05 and 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.08), as was the presence of depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.73 and 95% confidence interval: 1.21–2.48). This association was most pronounced among individuals with severe depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=2.58 and 95% confidence interval: 1.46–4.57). Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with both increased likelihood and longer duration of analgesic use. These findings highlight the complex and potentially bidirectional relationship between pain and mental health, suggesting the need for integrated approaches to pain management and psychiatric care.
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Meshkat et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Depressive symptoms and pain (n=36,023). Depressive symptoms vs. Minimal depressive symptoms was evaluated on Analgesic use (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.82-2.48). Depressive symptoms were associated with more than twice the odds of analgesic use (adjusted OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.82-2.48) and increased odds of longer duration of use.
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