Effects of Depressive Symptoms on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

ABS TRACT Objective:The relationship between depression and anxiety with pain and physical function has been reported in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of depressive symptoms on pain and functional outcomes in adults with PFPS who were followed by patient education.Material and Methods: Eighty-five patients aged 18-40 with PFPS were included in the study.During the initial visit, patients received standardized face-to-face education covering key topics such as possible causes, load management, and self-management of pain.Patients were asked to adhere to this education program for 6 weeks.Patients'' depressive symptoms were recorded at baseline using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale (VAS), and physical function was evaluated with the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) at baseline and after 6 weeks.Results: The mean BDI score among participants was 8.1 5.9.A significant correlation was observed between the BDI and pre-treatment VAS and AKPS (p<0.001,r=0.381; p=0.013, r=-0.268,respectively).VAS scores decreased from 7.091.1 pre-treatment to 3.882.8post-treatment.AKPS scores improved from 60.85.8 to 74.913.7 after the intervention.Changes in VAS and AKPS scores are statistically significant (p<0.001).Linear regression results on changes in pain and function showed that BDI significantly affected treatment outcomes (F(1,83)=11.969,p=0.001,F(1,83)=16.304, p < 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are associated with higher levels of pain and poorer physical function.Depressive symptoms are one of the poor prognostic factors in PFPS.