The prevalence of painful physical symptoms in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Background: Painful physical symptoms (PPS) are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), but their prevalence has been mixed. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of PPS in MDD patients. Methods: Systematic literature searches were independently conducted in major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science). Data analyses were conducted using a random-effects model. Results: A total of 20 studies with 53,852 patients were included. The overall prevalence of PPS in MDD patients was 55.2% (95%CI: 47.9-62.3%), with a point prevalence of 64.2% (95%CI: 53.2-73.8%) and a 12-month prevalence of 57.0% (95%CI: 23.9-84.8%). No significant publication bias was found in this meta-analysis. Conclusion: PPS are common in MDD patients. Considering the negative impact of PPS on daily functioning, effective preventive measures and routine screening should be conducted for MDD patients, and timely treatments should be offered to those in need.