Chronic pain disorder associated with psychogenic versus somatic factors: a comparative study

Fifty-one consecutive non-depressed patients with chronic pain referred to a multidisciplinary pain clinic were assessed. In 32 patients, pain was judged to be associated with psychogenic factors only, while pain in 19 patients could be attributed solely to a general medical condition. The methods of investigation comprised visual analogue scales (VAS) and pain drawings, the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS), the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP), locus of control (LOC) and EMBU (for assessing perceived parental rearing practices). Mean age, gender distribution, analgesic consumption, pain duration, percentage of body area pain as well as body localization of pain were comparable in both groups. Patients with psychogenic pain reported higher levels of general bodily discomfort but less concentration difficulties and memory disturbances compared with the somatic pain patients. There were no significant intergroup differences on any of the LOC, DAS, KSP or EMBU items. LOC turned out to be extremely external, whereas DAS, KSP and EMBU scores were comparable to normal controls in earlier work. The paucity of differences between the two patient groups and the unremarkable personality structure of patients led to somewhat conflicting conclusions, and the results of the study pose one more piece of evidence for the futility of the dichotomous organic vs. psychogenic distinction of chronic pain disorders.