Chronic Pain and Mood Disorders in Asian Americans

Abstract

Purpose: Pain and mood disorder frequently coexist. Yet, for Asian Americans (AAs), scant information about pain and mood disorder is available. Our aims were to compare (1) the rates of pain and mood disorders and (2) the magnitude of associations between pain and mood disorders between AAs and European Americans (EAs), and across different Asian subgroups. Methods: An analytical data was constructed from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Studies (CPES), a representative sample of community-residing U.S. adults (n = 9,871). Pain morbidity was assessed by self-report. Mood disorders, including major depression and anxiety disorders, were assessed using the diagnostic interview. Analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression modeling. All analyses were weighted to approximate the U.S. populations, and controlled for sociodemographic and immigration characteristics. Results: Greater proportion of EAs, compared to AAs, endorsed lifetime pain (56.8% vs. 35.8%). Having life pain disorders elevated the likelihood of lifetime mood disorder by more than 2-folds (weight adjusted odds ratio (WAOR): 2.12, 95% CI: 1.77, 2.55). Having pain disorders over the past 12 months elevated the likelihood of mood disorder in the same time period by more than 3-folds (WAOR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.02, 5.37) among AAs. The magnitude of the association between pain and psychiatric morbidity were greater in Vietnamese Americans compared to other AAs and EAs. Discussion: The conventional belief that rates of pain and mood disorders are greater in AAs than EAs may need to be further examined. Vietnamese Americans may be particularly vulnerable for experience of comorbid pain and mood disorders.

Sociodemographic and cultural determinants of mood disorders

“…In those with chronic pain, Asian Americans demonstrated lower co-occurrence of mood disorders than European Americans. The study indicated the hypothesis of minority communities, particularly migrants, being more vulnerable to mood disorders and chronic pain may not always hold true [54].…”

“…Both groups were not comparable in terms of sociodemographic variables, with European Americans being older and more likely to live alone than Asian Americans. Among Asian Americans, Vietnamese Americans showed stronger association between chronic pain and mood disorders than other Asian ethnicities, suggesting potential traumatic Vietnam War sequelae [54].…”

Psychological status of patients with functional anorectal pain and treatment efficacy of paroxetine in alleviating the symptoms: a retrospective study

“…Mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, are common health issues 22 . Pain and mood disorders frequently co-occur 17 , and chronic pain significantly increases the probability of mood disorders 23 . The combination of analgesics, psychotherapy and antidepressants can significantly relieve the symptoms of patients with chronic pain 16 , 23 – 25 .…”

“…Pain and mood disorders frequently co-occur 17 , and chronic pain significantly increases the probability of mood disorders 23 . The combination of analgesics, psychotherapy and antidepressants can significantly relieve the symptoms of patients with chronic pain 16 , 23 – 25 . Paroxetine is a typical serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat a variety of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.…”