Association of Pain Quality with Pain Catastrophizing and Self-efficacy in People with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: Patients with chronic pain often have symptoms similar to neuropathic pain (NeP). Such symptoms are also frequently observed in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, pain quality may be related to psychological problems such as high pain catastrophizing and/or low self-efficacy. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether pain quality is associated with pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy in individuals with symptomatic knee OA. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 50 subjects with symptomatic knee OA were enrolled. NeP scores were evaluated using the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), the pain catastrophizing scores were evaluated using the coping strategy questionnaire, and the self-efficacy scores were evaluated using the self-efficacy scale for rheumatoid arthritis (SERA). Participants were classified as members of the unlikely NeP group (PDQ score ≤12) or the uncertain/likely NeP group (PDQ score >12). The pain catastrophizing scores and the self-efficacy scores were compared between the two groups. Results: Of the 50 participants, 17 (34%) were classified in the uncertain/likely NeP group. The pain catastrophizing score was higher for the uncertain/likely NeP group than for the unlikely NeP group (P=0.03). On the SERA scale, the self-efficacy for pain score was lower for the uncertain/likely NeP group than for the unlikely NeP group (P=0.03). Conclusion: High pain catastrophizing and low self-efficacy for pain control are significantly associated with the existence of an NeP component on PDQ in people with symptomatic knee OA.