Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 April 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 April 2012. It was answered by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Pain: Mental Illnesses

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of patients suffering with chronic pain who have mental health problems.

Answer: The chapter on chronic pain in the 2008 Annual Report of the former chief medical officer estimated that 49%, of people with chronic pain suffered from depression. Other literature suggests that depression is four times more common for people in persistent pain compared to those without such pain. Data collected as part of the Health Survey for England 2011, which included a module on chronic pain, should enable us to update these estimates.

Secondary information