Observational Study Evaluating Pain in Endodontic Patients Diagnosed with Depression – A Pilot Study

Abstract

TITLE: Observational Study Evaluating Pain in Endodontic Patients Diagnosed with Depression – A Pilot Study

Saurabh Mannan, Master of Science 2019

Thesis Directed By: Joel Greenspan, PhD

AIM: To evaluate the role of depression in endodontic post-procedural pain

METHODOLOGY: This prospective observational study enrolled 42 patients that explored the correlation between patient’s level of depression and pain perception following non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessed the patient’s level of anxiety/depression pre-and postoperatively. The patient used a visual analog scale (VAS) to record their pain intensity and feelings of unpleasantness with their dental experience immediately following their NSRCT. Pain diaries recorded pain intensity post-operatively at the 2nd, 4th, and 7th day. A cohort of endodontic patients who were not diagnosed with depression served as controls. RESULT: A total of 41 patients were included, 30 non-depressed patients and 11 patients diagnosed with depression by their physicians. Two patients did not return the pain dairy. Therefore, data from 29 non-depressed patients and ten depressed patients were available for analysis. This study showed that the diagnosis of depression was significantly associated with both higher immediate post-operative pain and immediate sensations of unpleasantness. Furthermore, HADS ≥ 8 was found to be a significant predictor of greater post-operative pain at day two. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, either a diagnosis of depression or signs of anxiety or depression are a positive predictor of greater post-operative pain.