Functionality, psychosocial factors and quality of life in women with predominance of central sensitization

Chronic pain is a major reason for visits to healthcare professionals and has been seen as a public health problem. Many patients with chronic pain may develop predominance of central sensitization. Patients with central sensitization must be assessed through biopsychosocial model. This study aimed at evaluating physical and psychosocial impairment in women with chronic pain with predominance of central sensitization. A cross-sectional study was conducted in women with chronic musculoskeletal pain and central sensitization prevalence. Fifty-seven musculoskeletal pain patients were screened. Women with chronic, widespread and neuropathic pain and with pain in more than three sites, including trunk, upper and lower limbs were also included. Central sensitization was defined by mechanism-based pain classification. Eighteen patients were enrolled and completed questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, pain intensity, functionality, quality of life, kinesiophobia and catastrophizing. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were provided. All participants have pain seven days a week and 88.9% of them were classified as severe pain. It was observed high levels of catastrophizing and kinesiophobia. There was a strong correlation between catastrophizing and kinesiophobia (Rho=0.864, p<0.01). The mental component of quality of life questionnaire showed moderate negative correlation with catastrophizing (Rho=-0.611, p<0.01) and kinesiophobia (Rho=-0.646, p<0.01). There was a moderate correlation of pain intensity and catastrophizing (Rho=0.628, p<0.01) and kinesiophobia (Rho=0.581, p=0.01). No correlation was observed between age, physical component of quality of life questionnaire, functionality, and pain duration. Quality of life and pain intensity were more remarkably affected by psychosocial factors than functionality in women with chronic musculoskeletal pain with central sensitization predominance.