Pain interference impacts response to treatment for anxiety disorder

Background: Anxiety disorders and pain are commonly comorbid, though little is known about the effect of pain on the course and treatment of anxiety. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial for anxiety treatment in primary care. Participants with panic disorder (PD) and/ or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (N = 191; 81% female, mean age 44) were randomized to either their primary-care physician's usual care or a 12- month course of telephone-based collaborative care. Anxiety severity, pain interference, health-related quality of life, health services use, and employment status were assessed at baseline, and at 2-, 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-up. We defined response to anxiety treatment as a 40% or greater improvement from baseline on anxiety severity scales at 12-month follow-up. Results: The 39% who reported high pain interference at baseline had more severe anxiety (mean SIGH-A score: 21.8 versus 18.0, P<.001), greater limitations in activities of daily living, and more work days missed in the previous month (5.8 versus 4.0 days, P =.01) than those with low pain interference. At 12-month follow-up, high pain interference was associated with a lower likelihood ofresponding to anxiety treatment (OR =.28; 95% CI =.12-.63) and higher health services use (26.1% with ≥1 hospitalization versus 12.0%, P<.001). Conclusions: Pain that interferes with daily activities is prevalent among primary care patients with PD/GAD and associated with more severe anxiety, worse daily functioning, higher health services use, and a lower likelihood ofresponding to treatment for PD/GAD.