Pain, depression, and health care utilization over time after spinal cord injury.

Objective: The aim of this research was to examine comorbid pain and depression after spinal cord injury (SCI) in terms of: frequency, longitudinal course, and associations with medical conditions and use of SCI specialty care.

Method: Three consecutive standardized annual psychological evaluations were reviewed for 286 persons with SCI receiving care at an SCI specialty care center. Chart abstraction included medical and demographic information, a depression scale, and a pain scale.