Opioid use and depression after SCI

In this cohort study, researchers examined the relationships between pain intensity, opioid use and opioid abuse with depressive symptom severity and major depression in patients, with spinal cord injury. A total of 918 participants were included in the study, all with spinal cord injury with incomplete recovery. Patients were 57.5 years old on average, and were included on average 24.4 years after the onset of spinal cord injury. Opioid use, opioid abuse and pain intensity were associated with higher severity of depressive symptoms and higher risks of major depression.