The association between anxiety and depression symptoms and chronic pain characteristics in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with chronic pain (CP) due to osteoarthritis (OA) and explore the association of anxiety and depression symptoms with clinical pain characteristics. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, adult patients with CP and knee and/or hip OA were included. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Visual analogue scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and PainDetect Questionnaire were used to assess pain characteristics and Health Assessment Questionnaire to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQL). Correlation coefficients were used to explore the associations between anxiety and depression symptoms and pain characteristics and HRQL. Results. A total of 61 patients (age 66.2±9.4 years, 67.2% female) were included. Most patients (70.5%) had clinically significant anxiety and/or depression symptoms. Patients with anxiety and/or depression symptoms had higher pain severity and disability. Anxiety/depression symptoms had a weak positive correlation with pain (r=0.358) and stiffness (r=0.364) and a moderate positive correlation with physical function (r=0.520) and HRQL (r=0.405). Conclusions. Anxiety and depression symptoms are prevalent in OA patients with CP and were associated with higher pain severity, higher functional disability and lower HRQL. These findings support the screening of anxiety and depression symptoms in OA patients, in order to develop more effective multidisciplinary treatments.