VO(2)max in patients with chronic pain: comparative analysis with objective and subjective tests of disability.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the level of maximal aerobic capacity in patients with chronic pain of different etiologies and to compare these results with different parameters of disability.


METHODS
A cycloergometer exercise test with VO(2)max measurement, fatigue assessment and objective and subjective disability parameter testing was performed on 155 patients (mean age 42.1 ± 9.9 years) classified into three groups: patients with chronic lower back pain, patients with an upper limb musculoskeletal disorder, and patients with multifocal chronic pain.


RESULTS
The mean VO(2)max value was 22.18 mL/min/kg. There was no statistically significant difference in VO(2)max between the three groups. The patients with poorest aerobic condition were older (P<0.007), were on sick leave longer (P<0.03), had weaker Sorensen test (P<0.01) and P.I.L.E. (P<0.004) results, had more perceived fatigue (P<0.04), a higher mean BMI (P<0.0001) and gained more weight during sick leave (P<0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Numerous studies have examined loss of aerobic capacity due to chronic low back pain with contradictory results. This is probably due to variability of in the methods used to measure or calculate VO(2)max as well as to the variability in the studied populations.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems appropriate to offer patients with chronic pain multidisciplinary exercise rehabilitation programs.
Service de médecine physique et réadaptation, CHU de Tours, 2, boulevard Tonnellé, 37000 Tours, France. florence.dourypanchout@gmail.com
F
F
Doury-Panchout
J C
JC
Metivier
M J
MJ
Borie-Malavieille
B
B
Fouquet
D000328:Adult; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000367:Age Factors; D001132:Arm; D018493:Cardiovascular Deconditioning / Q000502:physiology*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D018582:Sick Leave; D014891:Weight Lifting