Relationship between the affective dimension of pain and site of the disorder: A cross-sectional study

Pain is a complex experience with both sensory and affective dimensions, and the affective dimension can increase the risks of chronic pain development. It is thus critical to identify factors influencing the affective dimension of pain.

This study aimed to identify the relationship between the affective dimension of pain and disorder site (primary pain source).

Study participants were recruited from patients referred for physical therapy at an orthopedic outpatient clinic. Pain quality including the affective dimension, disorder site from descriptive medical diagnosis, pain intensity, duration from pain onset, and demographic data, was collected. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the relationship between the affective dimension of pain and the disorder site.

A total of 282 participants were included. Cervical and lumbar spine disorders were significantly associated with an affective dimension of pain compared to limbs disorders when adjusted for age, sex, pain intensity, and duration from the onset in the regression model.

Regardless of duration from the onset and other confounding factors, disorder site is correlated with the affective dimension of pain. Multidimensional pain assessment is crucial when clinicians evaluate patients with cervical and lumbar spine disorders, even in the acute phase.