Medication usage, emotional disturbance, and pain behavior in chronic low back pain patients.
Examined chronic low back pain outpatients (N = 126) at a university hospital outpatient back clinic. Prior to their orthopedic examination, patients were given the MMPI, the Pain Experience Questionnaire (a modified form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire), and a medical history form that indicated onset of injury, number of surgeries, functional limitations, and use of medications. Four patterns of drug usage emerged with sufficient number to permit statistical analysis: (1) none; (2) aspirin-type medications; (3) single narcotics alone; and (4) narcotics combined with other medications. Group 4 patients scored significantly higher on the Hypochondriasis and Hysteria scales than the others, whereas Group 3 patients scored higher on the PD (acting out) scale. Group 4 patients reported more intense pain and chose more affective terms (punishing/terrorizing/sickening) in describing their pain than the other three groups. Group 1 patients reported significantly less limitation in walking, running, and climbing.
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000523:psychology; D007046:Hysteria / Q000523:psychology; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology
D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D001241:Aspirin