Studies have previously suggested that concomitant back-neck pain and depression or anxiety are relatively common, however, the nature of the relationship has not been established to date.

Dr Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud and colleagues from the University of Oslo looked at the prevalence of both the physical and psychological symptoms in a group of twin-pairs born between 1967 and 1974.

All 3,996 twin-pairs completed a self-reported questionnaire detailing presence and extent of back-neck pain and symptoms of depression or anxiety suffered, and the results were subjected to structural equation modeling.

The researchers found that a moderate association between the phenomena existed (0.31 correlation), which was mainly explained by additive genetic factors that influence the risk for both phenotypes.

Six per cent of the variance in back-neck pain was determined by genetic factors which have an impact on anxiety and depression, but the majority was determined by factors specific to this genotype.

Heritability of anxiety and depression was 0.53 and 0.30, respectively, for back-neck pain, and genetic factors influencing both conditions were responsible for 60 per cent of the covariance.

Writing in the journal Psychological Medicine, the researchers conclude, “In this cross-sectional twin study of young adults, symptoms of anxiety and depression were found to be associated with back-neck pain.”

“Large population-based twin studies using repeated measures are needed to explore other models of comorbidity,” they add.

Reference: Reichborn-Kjennerud et al, Psychological Medicine 2002;32:1009-1020

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