Background & Aims

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent, disabling, and has significant negative effects on function and quality of life. Previous evidence suggests an association between recovery expectations and health outcomes. However, this association has not been explored considering the extent of pain, which is directly linked to a poorer prognosis (differences between local and widespread extension of pain). This study aims to assess the prognostic value of pain extent and recovery expectations on pain intensity and disability in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The findings will enable the adjustment of patient recovery expectations based on pain extent, promoting more realistic expectations and mitigating potential frustration.

Aim: To analyze the prognostic value of pain extent and recovery expectations on pain intensity and disability in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

Prospective observational study. A total of 156 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, defined according to the current IASP criteria and classified under the CIE-11, were included in the study. In addition to sociodemographic variables, assessments at the study’s onset included pain intensity, its impact on daily life, disability, recovery expectations, and pain extent. These evaluations aimed to explore the predictive power of these factors on pain and disability outcomes at the one-year follow-up.

Results

Based on the pain extent (local, n=55; regional, n=36; widespread, n=40; and extremely widespread, n=25), statistically significant differences were observed in the level of disability (F=5.28, p=0.002), pain interference (F=4.57, p=0.004), and recovery expectations (F=3.33, p=0.021) between the local pain and extremely generalized pain groups. In the extremely generalized pain group, a positive and moderate correlation was found between baseline disability level and pain interference at the one-year follow-up (r=0.51, p=0.51). In the simple linear regression model, pain interference at the one-year follow-up was predicted by the baseline disability level, explaining 22.5% of the variance (?=0.51, p=0.013).

Conclusions

The number of pain sites reported by people with chronic musculoskeletal pain has potentially relevant implications for clinical practice. In patients with extreme chronic widespread pain:
-Disability at baseline is correlated with pain interference at one year
-Pain interference at one year was predicted by the level of disability at baseline, explaining the 22.5% of the variance
-Positive expectations of recovery does not contribute to improve pain interference/disability.

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Presenting Author

Mar Flores-Cortes

Poster Authors

Mar Flores Cortés

PhD student

University of Málaga

Lead Author

Javier Guerra

Universidad de Málaga

Lead Author

Susana Clavero-Cano

Lead Author

Javier Martinez-Calderon

Lead Author

Antonio Rondon-Ramos

Lead Author

Juan Luis Diaz-Cerrillo

Lead Author

Ferran Cuenca-Gomez

Lead Author

Alejandro Luque-Suarez

Lead Author

Topics

  • Assessment and Diagnosis