Study Says Chronic Pain is Linked with Depression and Anxiety in Children

A recent study has highlighted a strong link between chronic pain and mental health challenges in children and adolescents, revealing that young people with chronic pain are three times more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression compared to their peers. The research, conducted by a team at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to treating chronic pain in children that also addresses their mental health.

Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study reviewed 79 studies involving nearly 23,000 children under 18, including more than 12,000 with chronic pain. The findings show that about one-third of these children met the criteria for an anxiety disorder, and one in eight was diagnosed with a depressive disorder. The research covered a range of conditions, from juvenile idiopathic arthritis and fibromyalgia to chronic diseases like Crohn’s disease, where pain is a secondary symptom, as well as cases of pain with no known cause.

Joanne Dudeney, PhD, the lead author and a clinical psychologist at Macquarie University, notes that chronic pain in children is often accompanied by anxiety and depression, but these comorbid conditions are frequently overlooked in clinical practice. This gap in treatment can result in suboptimal care, as the psychological aspects of chronic pain significantly impact a child's overall wellbeing and recovery.

“The findings indicate we risk doing young people a disservice if we’re not considering comorbid anxiety and depression when they’re presenting with chronic pain,” explained Dr. Dudeney.

The study advocates for a multidisciplinary approach in treating children with chronic pain, urging clinicians to screen for anxiety and depression as part of their routine assessments. This approach ensures that both the physical and mental health needs of these young patients are addressed, leading to better outcomes.

Dr. Dudeney and her team are also developing an online program specifically for adolescents with chronic pain, aiming to improve both their mental health and pain management. This initiative builds on the success of a similar program for adults, which has been effective in reducing pain intensity and enhancing quality of life.

“This is a vulnerable population, and if we’re not considering the mental health component, it’s likely we’re also not going to achieve the clinical improvements we want to see,” Dr. Dudeney concluded.