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Life satisfaction in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and its predictors
Anne M Boonstra1, Michiel F Reneman, Roy E Stewart
1'Revalidatie Friesland', Center for Rehabilitation, PO Box 2, 9244 ZN, Beetsterzwaag, The Netherlands. a.m.boonstra@revalidatie-friesland.nl
Purpose:
To determine the life satisfaction of patients with chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain (CMP) compared to the general population (GP) and to identify predictors of life satisfaction.
Methods:
Subjects were patients with CMP (n = 1,082) admitted to multidisciplinary rehabilitation and a general population sample (n = 506). Lisat-9 measures satisfaction with life as a whole and eight life domains. Physical, emotional and social functioning and pain intensity were assessed using the SF-36. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyse differences between patients with CMP and the GP, and predictors of life satisfaction in patients with CMP.
Results:
Compared to the general population, patients with CMP reported lower satisfaction with 'life as a whole', and with six life domains: self-care, leisure, vocational and financial situation, sex life and contacts with friends. In the CMP group, pain was associated with satisfaction with self-care, vocational situation, partnership, family life and contacts with friends. Marital status, age and mental health were associated with most satisfaction scores.
Conclusions:
Compared to the general population, patients with CMP reported lower satisfaction with 'life as a whole' and most life domains. The most consistent predictors of life satisfaction were marital status, mental health, vitality and pain.
