The prevalence of painful physical symptoms in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Zi-Han Liu; Yu Jin; Wen-Wang Rao; Qinge Zhang; Juan Zhang; Todd Jackson; Zhaohui Su; Yu-Tao Xiang

doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110372

The prevalence of painful physical symptoms in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021 Dec 20:111:110372. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110372. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Authors

Zi-Han Liu¹, Yu Jin², Wen-Wang Rao¹, Qinge Zhang³, Juan Zhang⁴, Todd Jackson⁵, Zhaohui Su⁶, Yu-Tao Xiang⁷

Affiliations

¹ Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, & Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China; Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
² College of Education for the Future, Beijing Normal University, China.
³ The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
⁵ Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
⁶ Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
⁷ Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, & Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China; Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China. Electronic address: xyutly@gmail.com.

PMID: 34098042
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110372

Abstract

Background: Painful physical symptoms (PPS) are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), but their prevalence has been mixed. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of PPS in MDD patients.

Methods: Systematic literature searches were independently conducted in major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science). Data analyses were conducted using a random-effects model.

Results: A total of 20 studies with 53,852 patients were included. The overall prevalence of PPS in MDD patients was 55.2% (95%CI: 47.9-62.3%), with a point prevalence of 64.2% (95%CI: 53.2-73.8%) and a 12-month prevalence of 57.0% (95%CI: 23.9-84.8%). No significant publication bias was found in this meta-analysis.

Conclusion: PPS are common in MDD patients. Considering the negative impact of PPS on daily functioning, effective preventive measures and routine screening should be conducted for MDD patients, and timely treatments should be offered to those in need. Registration number: CRD42020179471.

Keywords: Major depressive disorder; Meta-analysis; Painful physical symptoms; Prevalence.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Databases, Factual
Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology*
Humans
Observational Studies as Topic*
Pain / epidemiology*
Pain / psychology
Prevalence