Pain distribution, intensity, and duration in patients with chronic pain

This study examined the impact of two dimensions of pain distribution (extent, site) on patient reports of pain intensity and duration among 105 patients with chronic pain. Pain extent was found to be associated strongly with reports of pain intensity and pain duration. When variance associated with pain extent was controlled, however, pain site was not associated with reported pain intensity, a finding inconsistent with previous research. Possible explanations for this inconsistency are discussed, and directions for further research are proposed.