title: Contribution of catastrophizing to disability and pain intensity after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain catastrophizing is a key variable that contributes to disability not only in chronic pain disorders but also after trauma. However, there is little evidence concerning the effect of catastrophizing on pain intensity and disability after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of catastrophizing to disability and pain intensity after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 35 patients with acute single-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures within 3 days of trauma. Data on demographics, education level, Charlson comorbidity index, pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were collected. VAS score for back pain and ODI were assessed at enrollment as well as at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after fracture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each VAS score for back pain and ODI significantly improved compared to the initial values (P < 0.001). Among the independent variables, age and/or PCS score significantly correlated with VAS score for back pain and/or ODI over follow-up assessments. Hierarchical regression analysis finally showed that PCS score was a significant predictor for disability only in the acute period such as immediately and 2 weeks after fracture, whereas age was significantly associated with ODI at 6 and 12 weeks after fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that catastrophizing can contribute to disability only in the acute period after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. As the compression fracture heals, however, age is the critical determinant of disability.
authors.affiliation: Spine Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166 Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Sungnam 463-707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Joong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Spine Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166 Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Sungnam 463-707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Tak
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bong-Soon
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Choon-Ki
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Spine Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166 Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Sungnam 463-707, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: highcervical@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yeom
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001915:Braces; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy