Related Experiment Videos
Illness behavior and psychosocial factors in diffuse upper limb pain disorder: a case-control study
Peter D White1, Moira Henderson, Richard M Pearson
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, UK.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|January 1, 2003
Summary
Patients with diffuse upper limb pain disorder (ULPD) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) show similar psychological profiles. While ULPD patients reported fewer depressive symptoms, both groups experienced significant anxiety and fatigue, suggesting chronic pain impacts mental well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Psychosomatic Medicine
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Diffuse upper limb pain disorder (ULPD) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are common chronic pain conditions.
- Understanding the psychosocial factors differentiating these conditions is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare behavioral and psychosocial factors between patients with diffuse ULPD and patients with CTS.
- To investigate differences in psychiatric morbidity, personality, illness behavior, and coping strategies.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study of 37 ULPD and 36 CTS outpatients matched for sex, pain intensity, and duration.
- Assessment included standardized interviews for psychiatric morbidity and self-rated questionnaires for symptoms and personality.
- Illness behavior was measured through financial benefits, compensation, coping, beliefs, treatments, and arm/body movement monitoring.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in psychiatric disorders, personality scores, symptom amplification, disability, or treatments received.
- ULPD patients reported lower depression, somatic distress, sleep disturbance, and fatigue than CTS patients.
- Both groups exhibited elevated anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbance; litigation was more prevalent in ULPD but involved a minority.
Conclusions:
- The primary etiology of diffuse ULPD is not significantly more psychiatric or behavioral than CTS, a condition with known pathology.
- Psychosocial factors at work may play a specific role in ULPD.
- General psychosocial factors may contribute to maintaining disability in chronic pain conditions like ULPD and CTS.