Chronic pain and depression. I. Classification of depression in chronic low back pain patients

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Abstract
An association between chronic pain and depression has been recognized for a long time. The exact nature of this relationship remains unclear. A total of 71 patients were studied for affective disorders and schizophrenia-lifetime version (SADS-L). Based on the interviews, 31 patients were identified with major depression, 8 patients with minor depression and 18 with intermittent depressive disorder as defined by Research Diagnostic Criteria. Item analysis using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale showed that the items did not discriminate in patients with major depression the presence of organic findings. Most of the items significantly discriminated between the various types of depression points to several avenues of research aimed at clarifying the incidence etiology and treatment of depression in these patients.