Pain and depression in patients with spinal cord injuries

  • K. Mentziou
  • J.A. Vlamis
Keywords: SCI, depression, pain

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes many health-related problems and affects not only patient’s physical condition but also other aspects of his life, such as mood and quality of life.

Chronic pain is a common and important complication seen in patients with SCI. As pain is known to affect various activities of the individual, such as recreational and occupational status, sleep quality and sexuality, pain seems to play an important role in quality of life, mood and rehabilitation. In addition, chronic pain and psychological disorders are closely linked, affecting the physical and psychosocial function of the patient. Similarly, various studies have shown that a significant proportion of patients with SCI suffer from depression while at the same time it has been shown that chronic pain is associated with depressive symptoms in these patients.

The purpose of this study is to conduct a literature review concerning the relationship between pain and depression in patients with SCI. From the 27 studies included in this paper, we can safely conclude that pain and depression are strongly connected although the nature of this connection is still to be clarified.

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Author Biographies

K. Mentziou

Postgraduate Training Program, 3rd Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece

J.A. Vlamis

Postgraduate Training Program, 3rd Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece

 3RD Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens, Greece

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Published
2022-12-19