Abstract
BackgroundPsychological distress is one of the major determinants for the experience progression, and recovery of chronic pain. However, it is unclear whether physical pain in specific body sites could be predictive of psychological illness. In this study, we aim to investigate the link between chronic pain in specific anatomical sites and psychological distress represented in the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12 items).MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Kharj region of Saudi Arabia. We included 1003 participants. Data were collected using the GHQ-12, and a subjective report on eight anatomical pain sites. Data analysis used statistical software SPSS version 26.0 for Windows statistical package.ResultsChronic musculoskeletal pain in the neck and head regions was significantly associated with higher psychological distress. Other sites (back, lower limb, chest, abdominal and upper limb pain) were not associated with psychological distress. In multiple regression analysis, chronic ‘general’ pain was significantly associated with higher psychological distress (unstandardized Beta regression coefficient = 2.568; P < 0.0001). The patients with younger age were more likely to develop negative psychological disorders (unstandardized Beta = − 3.137; P = 0.038). Females were more likely to have higher psychological distress than males (unstandardized Beta = 2.464, P = 0.003). Single (not-married) people have a higher risk of psychological distress than married people (unstandardized Beta = 2.518, P = 0.025). Also, job type/status whether being unemployed (not working) or ‘civilian’ (civil servant/worker) was positively and significantly associated with an increased probability of psychological distress (unstandardized Beta = 1.436, P = 0.019).ConclusionChronic ‘general’ pain was significantly associated with negative psychological disorders. The government of Saudi Arabia needs to focus on patients with chronic ‘general’ pain, females, young and unmarried individuals as potentially ‘high-risk’ population subgroups for adverse psychological disorders, and subsequent long-term complications.
Highlights
Psychological distress is one of the major determinants for the experience progression, and recovery of chronic pain
We found that the relative risk of having higher psychological distress was associated
Our study found a significant association between chronic pain and social dysfunction or depressive disorders
Summary
Psychological distress is one of the major determinants for the experience progression, and recovery of chronic pain. It is unclear whether physical pain in specific body sites could be predictive of psychological illness. Chronic pain is a subjective, unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that persists beyond average healing time, i.e., more than 3 months [1]. It is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that is uniquely perceived by each individual suffering from it. It is more likely to affect females than males [3]
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