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Concerns about medication and medication use in chronic pain
Lance M McCracken1, Julian Hoskins, Christopher Eccleston
1Pain Management Unit, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases & University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom. Lance.McCracken@RNHRD-tr.swest.nhs.uk
The Journal of Pain
|October 5, 2006
Summary
Patients
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Management
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Chronic pain affects millions globally, significantly impacting quality of life.
- Patient beliefs and concerns about pain medication are crucial but often understudied.
- Understanding these attitudes is key to improving treatment adherence and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a comprehensive measure of patient attitudes toward pain medication.
- To explore the relationship between these attitudes and psychological distress, disability, and medication use.
- To identify specific patient concerns that may exacerbate the burden of chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 220 chronic pain patients.
- Administration of a 78-item questionnaire on beliefs and concerns about pain medication.
- Development of the 47-item Pain Medication Attitude Questionnaire (PMAQ) assessing 7 key areas of concern.
Main Results:
- The Pain Medication Attitude Questionnaire (PMAQ) demonstrated excellent internal consistency and validity.
- PMAQ scales showed predictable relations with medication use, depression, and disability measures.
- Strong associations were found between medication concerns, emotional distress, and disability.
Conclusions:
- Patient concerns about pain medication are significantly linked to emotional distress and disability in chronic pain.
- These concerns may substantially contribute to the overall burden experienced by patients.
- Further research and clinical attention to medication attitudes are warranted.
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