Depression & Anxiety in Adults with Chronic Pain: A Meta-Analysis Review

It has long been established that chronic pain, depression, and anxiety are common comorbidities. In fact, there is evidence that after controlling for a range of biopsychosocial factors, depression and anxiety are among the top predictors of chronic pain.¹ Moreover, population studies have found that between 20% and 40% of adults with chronic pain have comorbid anxiety and depression.²

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the overlapping conditions sought to better understand the current prevalence and to characterize the relationships.³

1. Tanguay-Sabourin C, Fillingim M, Guglietti GV, et al; PREVENT-AD Research Group. A prognostic risk score for development and spread of chronic pain. Nat Med. 2023;29(7):1821-1831. oi:10.1038/s41591-023-02430-4

2. De La Rosa JS, Brady BR, Ibrahim MM, et al. Co-occurrence of chronic pain and anxiety/depression symptoms in U.S. adults: prevalence, functional impacts, and opportunities. Pain. 2024;165(3):666-673. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003056

3. Aaron RV, Ravyts SG, Carnahan ND, et al. Prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 20258(3):e250268. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0268