Pain, disability and catastrophizing in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knee osteoarthritis is among the leading sources of chronic disability and may lead to depression, anxiety and pain catastrophizing, enhancing perceived pain. This study aimed at investigating the influence of pain catastrophizing on attitudes and perception of pain, and in the functionality of individuals with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: This observational study involved 18 patients, who were assessed for weight and height, and completed the Pain-related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale (PCTS), Survey of Pain Attitudes (SPA), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the visual analog scale (VAS). Symptoms and disability were assessed by the Lequesne Index, functional mobility was evaluated by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Pressure pain tolerance thresholds (PPT) were assessed by a digital algometer. RESULTS: Mean body mass index of the sample was classified as obese (32,2±4,3). When split by the median of PCTS, differences were observed in most domains of SPA. Patients with more catastrophic thoughts took longer to perform TUG and presented more pain, joint stiffness and worse functionality (WOMAC). Despite the tendency to report more pain (VAS) in patients above the median score of PCTS, no differences were observed between groups with higher or lower catastrophizing regarding PPT. Positive and significant associations between the Rumination factor of PCTS and WOMAC outcomes were observed, as well as between the Hopelessness factor and TUG, Lequesne and WOMAC. CONCLUSION: The higher the presence of catastrophic thoughts, the worse the attitudes towards pain and the physical functionality of knee osteoarthritis patients.