Pain might be an important risk factor for common mental disorders. Insight into the longitudinal
association between pain and common mental disorders in the general adult population could help improve
prevention and treatment strategies. Data were used from the first 2 waves of the Netherlands Mental Health
Survey and Incidence Study-2, a psychiatric epidemiological cohort study among the Dutch general population
aged 18 to 64 years at baseline (N 5 5303). Persons without a mental disorder 12 months before baseline were
selected as the at-risk group (n54974 for any mood disorder; n54979 for any anxiety disorder; and n55073 for
any substance use disorder). Pain severity and interference due to pain in the past month were measured at
baseline using the Short Form Health Survey. DSM-IV mental disorders were assessed at both waves using the
Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0. Moderate to very severe pain was associated with a
higher risk of mood (odds ratio [OR] 5 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5 1.33-3.29) or anxiety disorders (OR 5 2.12,
95% CI 5 1.27-3.55). Moderate to very severe interference due to pain was also associated with a higher risk of
mood (OR52.14, 95% CI51.30-3.54) or anxiety disorders (OR51.92, 95% CI 5 1.05-3.52). Pain was not significantly
associated with substance use disorders. No interaction effects were found between pain severity or interference
due to pain and a previous history of mental disorders. Moderate to severe pain and interference due to pain
are strong risk factors for first-incident or recurrent mood and anxiety disorders, independent of other mental
disorders. Pain management programs could therefore possibly also serve as a preventative program for mental
disorders.
Seasonal Variations in Mental Disorders in the General Population of a Country with a Maritime Climate: Findings from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study