Last update:
22-Mar-2023

OBJECTIVE Investigation of the effect of pain catastrophizing on the reported intensity of musculoskeletal pain and the quality of life (QoL) of patients experiencing such pain.

METHOD The sample consisted of 150 patients with musculoskeletal disorders who were attending a primary health care physiotherapy center. The study was carried out by administration of self-reported questionnaires, including a questionnaire on socio-demographic information and medical history, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the SF-36 version 2 instrument, measuring health-related QoL (HRQoL).

RESULTS A statistically significant positive correlation was demonstrated between catastrophizing thoughts and the reported intensity of musculoskeletal pain (r=0.36, p<0.001). The relationship of gender and age with the levels of catastrophizing thoughts was not statistically significant. On linear regression analysis, pain catastrophizing was shown to be negatively related to both the physical component (B=-0.24, p<0.001) and the mental component (B=-0.31, p<0.001) scores on SF-36. In contrast, age, gender, occupation, and analgesic treatment were not significantly associated with HRQoL components according to SF-36, but the body mass index (BMI) was negatively associated with the mental component of SF-36 (B=-4.39, p=0.011). Patients with high levels of catastrophizing (≥30) recorded significantly lower scores on all dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS Pain catastrophizing appears to be related to both high levels of musculoskeletal pain intensity and poor HRQoL. Health care professionals should focus on a holistic and patient-centered model of care, in order to improve the QoL of patients with musculoskeletal disorders and to promote the process of their recovery.

Key words: Musculoskeletal pain, Pain catastrophizing, Quality of life.