Cluster Analysis and Chronic Pain: An Empirical Classification of Pain Subgroups in a Spinal Cord Injury Sample.

Abstract

To demonstrate the presence of homogeneous spinal cord injury (SCI) pain subgroups. Prospective longitudinal design. Persons with traumatic onset SCI (n = 1,334) with self-reported pain, pain interference, and depression. Pain (Verbal Analogue Scale); Pain Interference (item from Short Form 12); Depression (Brief Patient Health Questionnaire). Multivariate clustering indicated four SCI pain subgroups: (1) Low Pain (low pain intensity, pain interference, and depression); (2) Positive Adaptation to Pain (high pain intensity, low pain interference and depression); (3) Minimal Distress (high pain intensity, high pain interference, and low depression); and (4) Chronic Pain Syndrome (high pain intensity, pain interference, and depression). Homogeneous SCI pain subgroups may be important for clinicians to consider in treatment planning and research.