New Delhi: People experiencing chronic pain—defined as pain lasting for three months or more—may be up to four times more likely to develop depression, according to a new study published in Science Advances. The research, led by a team from Yale School of Medicine, highlights the strong connection between physical pain and mental health, emphasizing that chronic pain not only affects the body but also has significant psychological consequences.
The study analyzed data from over 431,000 participants in the UK Biobank, with health follow-ups spanning 14 years. It revealed that individuals suffering from chronic pain, particularly in multiple areas of the body, faced a significantly higher risk of depression than those with pain in a single location.
“Pain isn’t only physical,” said Dr. Dustin Scheinost, Associate Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at Yale. “Our study reinforces the idea that chronic physical conditions can deeply impact mental health.”
Globally, nearly 30% of people suffer from chronic pain conditions such as migraines or low back pain. Among them, one in three reports having multiple pain sites, which further increases the risk of co-existing depression.
Interestingly, the study also uncovered a biological mechanism potentially linking chronic pain to depression—inflammation. Researchers found that elevated levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), were associated with both pain and depressive symptoms. CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation and may act as a bridge between physical and mental health outcomes.
“This gives us some preliminary evidence about the inflammatory mechanisms underlying the association between pain and depression,” said Rongtao Jiang, a postdoctoral associate at Yale School of Medicine.
Pain sites included in the study ranged from the head and neck to the back, knees, stomach, and hips. The data showed that pain from all sites, whether acute or chronic, was linked to depression—with chronic pain having a stronger correlation.
The authors call for integrated health approaches that consider both physical and mental well-being and emphasize further research into the biological pathways connecting pain and mood disorders to inform future treatment strategies.