title: The assessment of musculoskeletal pain in the clinical setting.
abstract: Pain is a primary symptom in musculoskeletal conditions, and aspects of the pain experience (eg, severity) are key considerations in clinical decision-making and in the outcome of trials and interventions. Consequently, appropriate assessment of pain is essential. This article reviews the measures most commonly used in rheumatology practice, arguing that many are significantly limited in their ability to reflect the complexity of the patient's experience. The authors provide examples of alternative approaches, concluding that there is real scope for improving assessment and measurement of musculoskeletal pain in the clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2PR, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: MacKichan
authors.forename: Vikki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wylde
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dieppe
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination; D012720:Severity of Illness Index