AUTHOR=Wang Guojun , Huang Shiwei , Sun Ning , Gui Wenjin , Wang Yongjun 

TITLE=Depression and its influencing factors among older adults with chronic pain in China: an empirical analysis based on CHARLS data

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1547860

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1547860

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=BackgroundChina’s aging problem is intensifying, the older adult not only face a variety of chronic physical diseases and pain, but also have higher levels of depression than other age groups. This study explores the related factors of depression in older adults with chronic pain in China and provide evidence and reference for the formulation of intervention policies and measures.MethodsUsing the data of the fifth wave of national survey conducted by the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2020, a total of 10,581 older adults with chronic pain were selected as research objects, and their depression status was measured by the Depression Scale (CES-D). Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the main factors affecting depression in older adults with chronic pain.ResultsThe results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed: gender (female: OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.16–1.41), age (≥75 years old: OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.42–0.56), spouse/partner living together (no: OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.06–1.32), place of residence (rural: OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.06–1.32), education level (High school and above: OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.06–1.32); satisfaction with child relationship (satisfaction: OR = 0.22, 95%CI = 0.18–0.28), smoking (no: OR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.41–0.86), Internet use in the past month (Yes: OR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.68–0.86), nap duration (1 ~ <2 h: OR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.66–0.85; ≥2 h: OR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.66–0.85), night sleep duration (6 ~ <8 h: OR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.66–0.85; ≥8 h: OR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.49–0.63), BADL damaged (Yes: OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.31–1.62), IADL damaged (Yes: OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.17–1.45), received outpatient services in the past month (Yes: OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.06–1.31), pain (Quite a Bit/Very: OR = 1.41, 95%CI = 1.26–1.58), number of body parts that feeling pain (1 ~ 3: OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.27–1.60; 4–6: OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.51–2.04; 7 ~ 9: OR = 2.21, 95%CI = 1.82–2.67; ≥10: OR = 2.63, 95%CI = 2.15–3.22) are the influencing factors of depressive symptoms in older adults with chronic pain (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe incidence of depressive symptoms in older adults with chronic pain is 31.7%, and their depression status is affected by various factors. Medical and health institutions and policy makers should pay attention to the mental health of these older adults, and take targeted measures to improve health education, disease treatment, pain management, sleep improvement, family support, and other aspects according to their characteristics.