title: Is refractory angina pectoris a form of chronic pain? A comparison of two patient groups receiving spinal cord stimulation therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare psychological and pain-related characteristics of patients with chronic pain and patients with refractory angina pectoris who had been treated with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients receiving SCS therapy were interviewed. Four psychological variables were assessed using standardised questionnaires for pain catastrophising, health locus of control, anxiety sensitivity, and self-efficacy. Patients also completed the revised version of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Short-Form Health Survey, and self-reported measures of global perceived effect, pain, functionality, and satisfaction with SCS therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients reported improvements in pain, functionality, and improvement overall. Some health locus of control dimensions were significantly higher for the angina group than the chronic pain group, and chronic angina patients reported significantly lower levels of intermittent pain. Virtually all patients reported being satisfied with SCS therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most self-rated psychological and pain-related characteristics were no different between the two groups, which gives some support to the view that refractory angina is a form of chronic pain. The results also add to evidence supporting the use of SCS therapy for refractory angina pectoris; however, differences observed on a few variables may indicate points of focus for the assessment and treatment of such patients.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Devcich
authors.forename: Malcolm H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. a.merry@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Alan F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Merry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D062187:Spinal Cord Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome