Thapa, Parbati, Thapa, Raj Kumar, Bhuvan, K.C., Gyawali, Sudesh, and Lee, Shaun Wen Huey (2025) Depression, Quality of Life and Medication Use Among Patients With Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pain Research and Management, 2025 (1). 6610938.

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Abstract

Background: Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care and is associated with depression and reduced quality of life. This study aims to explore the association of depression and quality of life with chronic pain, and medication management among patients with chronic pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting the outpatient departments of two tertiary care hospitals in Pokhara, Nepal. Validated questionnaires were used to collect information regarding socio-demographics, pain intensity (face pain scale), quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), depression (PROMIS depression questionnaire) and medications prescribed for pain management. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, correlation and multiple regression were used to analyse the data. Results: Three hundred eighty-five participants were enrolled in the study, and most were females 248 (64.4%). Low back pain (n = 96; 24.9%) was the most commonly reported pain condition. The participants’ mean pain and quality of life scores were 4.5 ± 1.97 and 0.59 ± 0.37, respectively. NSAIDs were the most prescribed medication. About 25.2% of the participants had mild, 25.5% moderate and 3.4% severe depression. A significant difference in depression and quality of life score was observed between genders (p < 0.001), among participants with different education levels (p < 0.001), with comorbidity (p < 0.001) and pain duration (p < 0.001). A significant reverse association of quality of life with depression (β = −0.326, p < 0.001), pain score (β = −0.292, p < 0.001) and duration of pain (β = −0.208, p < 0.001) was observed. Conclusion:​ The quality of life among patients with chronic pain was correlated with the pain score, depression score and duration of pain.

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