[Sociodemographic predictors of therapeutic results in patients with chronic, non-malignant pain].
BACKGROUND
Chronic pain is in its nature multidimensional and is most successfully treated by a multidisciplinary approach. Some patients do not benefit from treatment, and psychological and socio-economic factors may play a major role. The present study investigated the ability of sociodemographic variables to predict the short-term effect of multidisciplinary treatment in patients with chronic pain who where referred consecutively to a Danish multidisciplinary pain centre.


METHODS
Pain scores (VAS) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) were assessed. On entry and three and six months later HRQL was evaluated by medical outcome short form (SF-36) and the psychological general well-being scale (PGWB). Sociodemographic variables were: age, gender, educational level, civil status employment status, and disability pension (DP) status.


RESULTS
Of the sociodemographic variables evaluated, only the DP status seemed to be a significant outcome predictor. Patients applying for a DP do not improve. Patients receiving a DP and those who do not achieved moderate improvements, but these were significantly larger. The same pattern was seen for changes in psychological well-being and social functioning. The DP status predicted improvement in pain and social functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicates that the multidimensional problems experienced by patients applying for a DP are dominated by sociodemographic factors. Focus on the solution of these socio-economic problems is important, if patients with chronic pain are to benefit from multidisciplinary pain treatment.
Becker
N
N
H:S Rigshospitalet, Tvaerfagligt Smertecenter.
Højsted
J
J
Sjøgren
P
P
Eriksen
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome