Interference due to pain following spinal cord injury: important predictors and impact on quality of life.
Two studies were designed to examine important predictors of pain following spinal cord injury (SCI), and the impact of pain on self-reported quality of life (QOL). Pain was defined as "interference in day-to-day activities secondary to pain". In order to determine risk factors associated with the development of pain interference, Study 1 examined the predictive validity of multiple demographic, medical, and QOL variables at year 1 post-SCI to self-reported pain interference 2 years post-injury. Results showed that middle age (30-59-year-olds), lower self-reported mental health, and pain interference at 1 year post-SCI were the most important unique predictors of pain interference 2 years post-SCI. In Study 2, participants were separated into four groups; (1) those pain-free at years 1 and 2, (2) those pain-free at year 1 and in pain at year 2, (3) those in pain at year 1 and pain-free at year 2, and (4) those in pain at years 1 and 2. Results showed that only those experiencing a change in pain interference status reported a change in QOL. More specifically, those developing pain interference (group 2) from year 1 to year 2 reported decreased life satisfaction, physical health, and mental health, whereas, those with resolving pain interference from year 1 to year 2 reported an increase in these same domains. Unexpectedly, change in pain interference status was unrelated to change in self-reported handicap. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Putzke
John David
JD
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Richards
Scott J
SJ
Hicken
Bret L
BL
DeVivo
Michael J
MJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology