Waddell signs: distributional properties and correlates.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what percentage of patients have none of the five nonorganic behavioral processes known as Waddell signs, and the relational pattern between Waddell signs and somatic complaints, disturbed functional performance, negative treatment attitudes, physical pathology, depression, generalized anxiety, and MMPI-2 validity scales.


METHODS
Case series survey.


METHODS
A referral-based multidisciplinary pain center affiliated with a state medical school.


METHODS
Seventy-five consecutive patients with chronic back pain.


METHODS
Medical evaluation and completion of self-report inventories.


METHODS
Total number of Waddell signs, physical pathology, and pain intensity ratings were assessed by a physician during an initial medical evaluation. Degree of disturbed functional performance and psychological symptoms were assessed by self-report measures at the initial evaluation.


RESULTS
Sixty-four percent of the patients had no Waddell signs. Total number of Waddell signs yielded positive and statistically significant correlations (p < or = .05) with depression, disturbed functional performance, somatic complaints, and pain intensity ratings. Correlations of slightly smaller and statistically nonsignificant magnitudes were revealed for Waddell signs with generalized anxiety, negative treatment attitudes, and physical pathology. Waddell signs were unrelated to age, duration of pain, gender, number of lumbar surgeries, and MMPI-2 validity scales.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, multiple Waddell signs and some of their correlates present various factors that might interfere with optimal response to treatment.
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, 77030, USA.
D M
DM
Novy
H S
HS
Collins
D V
DV
Nelson
A G
AG
Thomas
M
M
Wiggins
A
A
Martinez
G A
GA
Irving
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008950:MMPI / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018710:Pain Clinics; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011594:Psychometrics; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation