A study by researchers from the universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee (Scotland) investigated the relationship between chronic pain and major depressive disorder by studying the records of more than 100,000 people participating in studies national health.
The researchers analyzed the genetic makeup of the patients as well as the details of their experience depression and of chronic pain. Their results revealed that chronic pain is caused in part by a person’s genetic makeup and in part by as yet unidentified environmental risk factors that are shared by their partner or spouse.
They also identified significant overlaps between risk factors for chronic pain and depression. Which would explain why people who live with a spouse who suffers from depression are more likely to suffer from chronic pain.
“Physical and mental illnesses are not as far apart as you think. This study should encourage other researchers to think about the relationship between chronic pain and depression.” said Professor Andrew McIntosh, lead author of the study published in the magazine Plos One.
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