Abstract
BackgroundSmokers report more pain and worse functioning. The evidence from pain clinics suggests that depression affects this relationship: The association between smoking and chronic pain is weakened when controlling for depression. This study explored the relationship between smoking, pain and depression in a large general population-based cohort (Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study).
MethodsChronic pain measures (intensity, disability), self-reported smoking status and a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) were analysed. A multivariate analysis of covariance determined whether smoking status was associated with both pain measures and a history of depressive illness. Using a statistical mediation model any mediating effect of depression on the relationship between smoking and chronic pain was sought.
ResultsOf all 24,024 participants, 30% (n=7162) reported any chronic pain. Within this chronic pain group, 16% (n=1158) had a history of MDD; 7108 had valid smoking data: 20% (n=1408) were current smokers, 33% (n=2351) former and 47% (n=3349) never smokers. Current smokers demonstrated higher pain intensity and pain-related disability scores compared with former and non-smokers (p
ConclusionsIn contrast to smokers treated in pain clinics, a history of MDD mediated the relationship between smoking and pain intensity, but not pain-related disability in smokers in the community.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1223-1230 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | European Journal of Pain |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 27 Feb 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2014 |
Bibliographical note
Funded byScottish Executive Health Department, Chief Scientist Office under their Genetics and Healthcare Initiative. Grant Number: CZD/16/6
Scottish Funding Council. Grant Number: HR03006
Keywords
- health
- heritability
- severity
- care