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Michael Von Korff, ScD
Senior Investigator

Research Interests:
Dr. Von Korff is a health services researcher and epidemiologist whose research concerns the natural history and management of chronic pain and depression in primary care and how self management training and support for chronic illness can be improved.

Contact Dr. Von Korff:
Voice Mail: 206-287-2874
E-Mail: vonkorff.m@ghc.org

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
View Dr. Von Korff's CV. You'll need Adobe Reader to view the CV.

Recent Publications:
Dionne CE, Dunn KM, Croft PR, Nachemson AL, Buchbinder R, Walker BF, Wyatt M, Cassidy JD, Rossignol M, Leboeuf-Yde C, Hartvigsen J, Leino-Arjas P, Latza U, Reis S, Gil Del Real MT, Kovacs FM, Oberg B, Cedraschi C, Bouter LM, Koes BW, Picavet HS, van Tulder MW, Burton K, Foster NE, Macfarlane GJ, Thomas E, Underwood M, Waddell G, Shekelle P, Volinn E, Von Korff M. A consensus approach toward the standardization of back pain definitions for use in prevalence studies. Spine. 2008;33(1):95-103. Abstract

Katon WJ, Russo JE, Von Korff M, Lin EH, Ludman E, Ciechanowski PS. Long-term effects on medical costs of improving depression outcomes in patients with depression and diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2008 Jun;31(6):1155-9. Epub 2008 Mar 10. Abstract

Nyrop KA, Palsson OS, Levy RL, Von Korff M, Feld AV, Turner MJ, Whitehead WE. Costs of health care for irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, functional diarrhoea and functional abdominal pain. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;26:237-48. Abstract

Ormel J, Petukhova M, Chatterji S, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Alonso J, Angermeyer MC, Bromet EJ, Burger H, Demyttenaere K, de Girolamo G, Haro JM, Hwang I, Karam E, Kawakami N, Lepine JP, Medina-Mora ME, Posada-Villa J, Sampson N, Scott K, Ustun TB, Von Korff M, Disability and treatment of specific mental and physical disorders across the world. Br J Psychiatry. 2008;192:368-75. Abstract

Ostelo RW, Deyo RA, Stratford P, Waddell G, Croft P, Von Korff M, Bouter LM, de Vet HC. Interpreting change scores for pain and functional status in low back pain: towards international consensus regarding minimal important change. Spine. 2008;33(1):90-4. Abstract

Saunders K, Merikangas K, Low NC, Von Korff M, Kessler RC. Impact of comorbidity on headache-related disability. Neurology. 2008;70(7):538-47. Abstract

Scott KM, Von Korff M, Alonso J, Angermeyer MC, Bromet E, Fayyad J, de Girolamo G, Demyttenaere K, Gasquet I, Gureje O, Haro JM, He Y, Kessler RC, Levinson D, Medina Mora ME, Oakley Browne M, Ormel J, Posada-Villa J, Watanabe M, Williams D. Mental-physical co-morbidity and its relationship with disability: results from the World Mental Health Surveys. Psychol Med. 2008; [Epub ahead of print]. Abstract

Scott KM, Von Korff M, Alonso J, Angermeyer M, Bromet EJ, Bruffaerts R, de Girolamo G, de Graaf R, Fernandez A, Gureje O, He Y, Kessler RC, Kovess V, Levinson D, Medina-Mora ME, Mneimneh Z, Oakley Browne MA, Posada-Villa J, Tachimori H, Williams D. Age patterns in the prevalence of DSM-IV depressive/anxiety disorders with and without physical co-morbidity. Psychol Med. 2008; [Epub ahead of print]. Abstract

Von Korff M, Dunn KM. Chronic pain reconsidered. Pain. 2008; [Epub ahead of print]. Abstract

Von Korff M, Saunders K, Thomas Ray G, Boudreau D, Campbell C, Merrill J, Sullivan MD, Rutter CM, Silverberg MJ, Banta-Green C, Weisner C. De facto long-term opioid therapy for noncancer pain. Clin J Pain. 2008;24(6):521-7. Abstract

Young BA, Lin E, Von Korff M, Simon G, Ciechanowski P, Ludman EJ, Everson-Stewart S, Kinder L, Oliver M, Boyko EJ, Katon WJ. Diabetes complications severity index and risk of mortality, hospitalization, and healthcare utilization. Am J Manag Care. 2008;14(1):15-23. Abstract

2007
Croft P, Dunn KM, Von Korff M. Chronic pain syndromes: you can't have one without another. Pain. 2007;131(3):237-8. Epub 2007 Aug 28. Details

Demyttenaere K, Bruffaerts R, Lee S, Posada-Villa J, Kovess V, Angermeyer MC, Levinson D, de Girolamo G, Nakane H, Mneimneh Z, Lara C, de Graaf R, Scott KM, Gureje O, Stein DJ, Haro JM, Bromet EJ, Kessler RC, Alonso J, Von Korff M. Mental disorders among persons with chronic back or neck pain: results from the world mental health surveys. Pain. 2007;129(3):332-42. Epub 2007 Mar 9. Abstract

Dunn KM, Croft PR, Main CJ, Von Korff M. A prognostic approach to defining chronic pain: replication in a UK primary care low back pain population. Pain. 2008;135(1-2):48-54. Epub 2007 Jun 13. Abstract

Gureje O, Von Korff M, Kola L, Demyttenaere K, He Y, Posada-Villa J, Lepine JP, Angermeyer MC, Levinson D, de Girolamo G, Iwata N, Karam A, Luiz Guimaraes Borges G, de Graaf R, Browne MO, Stein DJ, Haro JM, Bromet EJ, Kessler RC, Alonso J. The relation between multiple pains and mental disorders: results from the World Mental Health Surveys. Pain. 2008;135(1-2):82-91. Epub 2007 Jun 13. Abstract

Lee S, Tsang A, Huang YQ, Zhang MY, Liu ZR, He YL, Von Korff M, Kessler RC. Arthritis and physical-mental comorbidity in metropolitan China. J Psychosom Res. 2007;63(1):1-7. Abstract

LeResche L, Mancl LA, Drangsholt MT, Huang G, Von Korff M. Predictors of onset of facial pain and temporomandibular disorders in early adolescence. Pain. 2007;129(3):269-78. Epub 2006 Nov 28. Abstract

Ludman EJ, Simon GE, Tutty S, Von Korff M. A randomized trial of telephone psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for depression: continuation and durability of effects. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2007;75(2):257-66. Abstract

Merikangas KR, Ames M, Cui L, Stang PE, Ustun TB, Von Korff M, Kessler RC. The impact of comorbidity of mental and physical conditions on role disability in the US adult household population. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(10):1180-8. Abstract

Ormel J, Von Korff M, Burger H, Scott K, Demyttenaere K, Huang YQ, Posada-Villa J, Pierre Lepine J, Angermeyer MC, Levinson D, de Girolamo G, Kawakami N, Karam E, Medina-Mora ME, Gureje O, Williams D, Haro JM, Bromet EJ, Alonso J, Kessler R. Mental disorders among persons with heart disease - results from World Mental Health surveys. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2007;29(4):325-34. Abstract

Saunders K, Von Korff M, Leresche L, Mancl L. Relationship of common pain conditions in mothers and children. Clin J Pain. 2007;23(3):204-13. Abstract

Scott KM, Bruffaerts R, Simon GE, Alonso J, Angermeyer M, de Girolamo G, Demyttenaere K, Gasquet I, Haro JM, Karam E, Kessler RC, Levinson D, Medina Mora ME, Oakley Browne MA, Ormel J, Villa JP, Uda H, Von Korff M. Obesity and mental disorders in the general population: results from the world mental health surveys. Int J Obes (Lond). 2008;32(1):192-200. Epub 2007 Aug 21. Abstract

Scott KM, Bruffaerts R, Tsang A, Ormel J, Alonso J, Angermeyer MC, Benjet C, Bromet E, de Girolamo G, de Graaf R, Gasquet I, Gureye O, Haro JM, He Y, Kessler RC, Levinson D, Mneimneh ZN, Oakley Browne MA, Posada-Villa J, Stein DJ, Takeshima T, Von Korff M Depression-anxiety relationships with chronic physical conditions: results from the World Mental Health surveys. J Affect Disord. 2007;103(1-3):113-20. Epub 2007 Feb 9. Abstract

Scott KM, Von Korff M, Ormel J, Zhang MY, Bruffaerts R, Alonso J, Kessler RC, Tachimori H, Karam E, Levinson D, Bromet EJ, Posada-Villa J, Gasquet I, Angermeyer MC, Borges G, de Girolamo G, Herman A, Haro JM. Mental disorders among adults with asthma: results from the World Mental Health Survey. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2007;29(2):123-33. Abstract

Simon GE, Katon WJ, Lin EH, Rutter C, Manning WG, Von Korff M, Ciechanowski P, Ludman EJ, Young BA. Cost-effectiveness of systematic depression treatment among people with diabetes mellitus. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(1):65-72. Abstract

Von Korff M, Lin EH, Fenton JJ, Saunders K. Frequency and priority of pain patients' health care use. Clin J Pain. 2007;23(5):400-8. Abstract

Whitehead WE, Palsson OS, Levy RR, Feld AD, Turner M, Von Korff M. Comorbidity in irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007;102(12):2767-76. Epub 2007 Sep 26. Abstract

2006
Butler R, Carney S, Cipriani A, Geddes J, Hatcher S, Price J, Von Korff M. Depressive disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(11):1999-2004. Details

Ciechanowski P, Russo J, Katon W, Simon G, Ludman E, Von Korff M, Young B, Lin E. Where is the patient? The association of psychosocial factors and missed primary care appointments in patients with diabetes. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2006;28(1):9-17. Abstract

Ciechanowski PS, Russo JE, Katon WJ, Von Korff M, Simon GE, Lin EH, Ludman EJ, Young BA. The association of patient relationship style and outcomes in collaborative care treatment for depression in patients with diabetes. Med Care. 2006;44(3):283-91. Abstract

Fenton JJ, Von Korff M, Lin EH, Ciechanowski P, Young BA. Quality of preventive care for diabetes: effects of visit frequency and competing demands. Ann Fam Med. 2006;4(1):32-9. Abstract

Geddes J, Butler R, Hatcher S, Cipriani A, Price J, Carney S, Von Korff M. Depression in adults. Clin Evid. 2006;(15):1366-406. Details

Gensichen J, Beyer M, Muth C, Gerlach FM, Von Korff M, Ormel J. Case management to improve major depression in primary health care: a systematic review. Psychol Med. 2006;36(1):7-14. Abstract

Kinder LS, Katon WJ, Ludman E, Russo J, Simon G, Lin EH, Ciechanowski P, Von Korff M, Young B. Improving depression care in patients with diabetes and multiple complications. J Gen Intern Med. 2006;21(10):1036-41. Epub 2006 Jul 7. Abstract

Lin EH, Katon W, Rutter C, Simon GE, Ludman E, Von Korff M, Young B, Oliver M, Ciechanowski PC, Kinder L, Walker E. Effects of enhanced depression treatment on diabetes self-care. Ann Fam Med. 2006;4(1):46-53. Abstract

Ludman E, Katon W, Russo J, Simon G, Von Korff M, Lin E, Ciechanowski P, Kinder L. Panic episodes among patients with diabetes. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2006;28(6):475-81. Abstract

Pinto-Meza A, Serrano-Blanco A, Codony M, Reneses B, Von Korff M, Haro JM, Alonso J. [Prevalence and physical-mental comorbidity of chronic back and neck pain in Spain: results from the ESEMeD Study] Med Clin (Barc). 2006;127(9):325-30. Abstract

Simon GE, Von Korff M, Saunders K, Miglioretti DL, Crane PK, van Belle G, Kessler RC. Association between obesity and psychiatric disorders in the US adult population. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63(7):824-30. Abstract

Stang PE, Brandenburg NA, Lane MC, Merikangas KR, Von Korff MR, Kessler RC. Mental and physical comorbid conditions and days in role among persons with arthritis. Psychosom Med. 2006;68(1):152-8. Abstract

Strong LL, Von Korff M, Saunders K, Moore JE. Cost-effectiveness of two self-care interventions to reduce disability associated with back pain. Spine. 2006;31(15):1639-45. Abstract

Turner JA, Ciol MA, VonKorff M, Liu YW, Berger R. Men with pelvic pain: perceived helpfulness of medical and self-management strategies. Clin J Pain. 2006;22(1):19-24. Abstract

Von Korff M, Miglioretti D. A prospective approach to defining chronic pain. Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Pain of the International Association for the Study of Pain. H Flor (Ed). IASP Press, 2006;761-9.

Whitehead WE, Palsson OS, Feld AD, Levy RL, Von Korff M, Turner MJ, Drossman DA. Utility of red flag symptom exclusions in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;24(1):137-46. Abstract

Whitehead WE, Palsson OS, Levy RL, Feld A, Von Korff M, Turner M. Reports of "satisfactory relief" by IBS patients receiving usual medical care are confounded by baseline symptom severity and do not accurately reflect symptom improvement. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101(5):1057-65. Abstract

Whitehead WE, Palsson OS, Levy RL, Feld AD, Von Korff M, Turner M. Response to Dr. Allen Mangel's letter. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101(12):2885-6. Details

2005
Clarke G, Debar L, Lynch F, Powell J, Gale J, O'Connor E, Ludman E, Bush T, Lin EH, Von Korff M, Hertert S. A randomized effectiveness trial of brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for depressed adolescents receiving antidepressant medication. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2005;44(9):888-98. Abstract

Katon WJ, Rutter C, Simon G, Lin EH, Ludman E, Ciechanowski P, Kinder L, Young B, Von Korff M. The association of comorbid depression with mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2005;28(11):2668-72. Abstract

Katzelnick DJ, Von Korff M, Chung H, Provost LP, Wagner EH. Applying depression-specific change concepts in a collaborative breakthrough series. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2005; 31:386-97. Abstract

Sieben JM, Vlaeyen JW, Portegijs PJ, Verbunt JA, van Riet-Rutgers S, Kester AD, Von Korff M, Arntz A, Andre Knottnerus J. A longitudinal study on the predictive validity of the fear-avoidance model in low back pain. Pain. 2005;117(1-2):162-70. Epub 2005 Aug 10. Abstract

Simon GE, Katon WJ, Lin EH, Ludman E, Vonkorff M, Ciechanowski P, Young BA. Diabetes complications and depression as predictors of health service costs. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2005;27(5):344-51. Abstract

Simon GE, Von Korff M. Medical co-morbidity and validity of DSM-IV depression criteria. Psychol Med. 2006;36(1):27-36. Epub 2005 Oct 5. Abstract

Simon GE, Von Korff M, Lin E. Clinical and functional outcomes of depression treatment in patients with and without chronic medical illness. Psychol Med. 2005;35(2):271-9. Abstract

Turner JA, Ciol MA, Von Korff M, Berger R. Health concerns of patients with nonbacterial prostatitis/pelvic pain. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165(9):1054-9. Abstract

Von Korff M, Balderson BHK, Saunders K, Miglioretti DL, Lin EHB, Berry S, Moore JE, Turner JA. A trial of an activating intervention for chronic back pain in primary care and physical therapy settings. Pain. 2005;113(3):323-330. Abstract

Von Korff M, Crane P, Lane M, Miglioretti D, Simon G, Saunders K, Stang P, Branderburg N, Kessler R. Chronic spinal pain and physical-mental comorbidity in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey replication. Pain. 2005;113(3):331-339. Abstract

Von Korff M, Katon W, Lin EH, Simon G, Ciechanowski P, Ludman E, Oliver M, Rutter C, Young B. Work disability among individuals with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2005;28(6):1326-32. Abstract

Von Korff M, Katon W, Lin EH, Simon G, Ludman E, Oliver M, Ciechanowski P, Rutter C, Bush T. Potentially modifiable factors associated with disability among people with diabetes. Psychosom Med. 2005;67(2):233-40. Abstract

Von Korff M, Miglioretti DL. A prognostic approach to defining chronic pain. Pain. 2005;117(3):304-13. Abstract

Wagner EH, Bennett SM, Austin BT, Greene SM, Schaefer JK, Vonkorff M. Finding common ground: patient-centeredness and evidence-based chronic illness care. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11 Suppl 1:s7-s15. Abstract

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