Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Behavior Research Articles

“Adjacent Bed Effect” of Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients During the Perioperative Period

BackgroundKnee osteoarthropathy is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases in the elderly, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most commonly used treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthropathy. Negative emotions such as anxiety have been extensively documented in knee osteoarthropathy patients. AimThis study aimed to investigate the Emotional Contagion during hospitalization in patients undergoing TKA. MethodsEligible subjects were divided into three case groups according to their anxiety states and bed arrangement. All subjects underwent a unilateral, cemented TKA under general anesthesia. Post-operative recovery outcomes including pain, pain behavior and physical function were recorded pre-operation, 1-day, 1 week, 2-weeks, 1-month and 3-months post-operation. ResultsA total of 38 subjects were included in the final analysis. Subjects with anxiety had higher Visual Analogue Scale pain scores, PROMIS-Pain Behavior scores than subjects without anxiety in the Contagion Group preoperation (p ≤ .05). Non-anxiety subjects hospitalized in beds physically adjacent to anxiety subjects experienced more severe pain and poorer function (p ≤ .05). After discharge, all clinical outcomes gradually became lower than anxiety subjects in the Contagion Group, reaching levels similar to non-anxiety subjects in the No Contagion Group within 1 month (p>.05). ConclusionsThis study showed that patients with anxiety may have an "Adjacent Bed Effect" on patients with TKA in the adjacent bed, which may be associated with poorer postoperative recovery, including pain and physical function. We speculate this phenomenon can be effectively avoided by the nursing team through accurately assessing psychological status and reasonable bed arrangements in the inpatient assessment phase.

Preliminary construct validity of patient-reported outcomes to assess chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease.

Chronic pain affects 30% to 40% of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and impairs patient functioning. Clinically meaningful, practical, and valid assessment tools for investigation, evaluation, and management of chronic pain are limited, representing a barrier for advancing SCD care. We sought to determine whether patient-reported outcomes (PROs) show preliminary construct validity in identifying individuals with SCD who were a priori defined as suggestive of having chronic pain based on previously published criteria. All individuals completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domains: pain interference, pain behavior, pain quality (nociceptive, neuropathic), fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety; the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me) domains: pain impact and emotional impact; and the painDETECT questionnaire. Thirty-three adults living with SCD were enrolled, and 42.4% had chronic pain. Pain-related PROs scores distinctly differentiated individuals with chronic pain from those without. Individuals with chronic pain had significantly worse pain-related PROs scores: PROMIS pain interference (64.2 vs 54.3), PROMIS pain behavior (63.2 vs 50), and ASCQ-Me pain impact (42.9 vs 53.2). According to published PROMIS clinical cut scores for the pain-related domains, individuals with chronic pain were categorized as having moderate impairment, whereas those without chronic pain had mild or no impairment. Individuals with chronic pain had PRO pain features consistent with neuropathic pain and worse scores in fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance, and emotional impact. Pain-related PROs show preliminary construct validity in differentiating individuals with and without chronic SCD pain and could be used as valuable tools for research and clinical monitoring of chronic pain.

Longitudinal Predictors of PROMIS Satisfaction With Social Roles and Activities After Shoulder and Knee Sports Orthopaedic Surgery in United States Military Servicemembers: An Observational Study.

Satisfaction with social roles and activities is an important outcome for postsurgical rehabilitation and quality of life but not commonly assessed. To evaluate longitudinal patterns of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities measure, including how it relates to other biopsychosocial factors, before and up to 6 months after sports-related orthopaedic surgery. Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Participants (N = 223) who underwent knee and shoulder sports orthopaedic surgeries between August 2016 and October 2020 completed PROMIS computer-adaptive testing item banks and pain-related measures before surgery and at 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups. In a generalized additive mixed model, covariates included time point; peripheral nerve block; the PROMIS Anxiety, Sleep Disturbance, and Pain Behavior measures; and previous 24-hour pain intensity. Patient-reported outcomes were modeled as nonlinear (smoothed) effects. The linear (estimate, 2.06; 95% CI, 0.77-3.35; P = .002) and quadratic (estimate, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.78-4.08; P < .001) effects of time, as well the nonlinear effects of PROMIS Anxiety (P < .001), PROMIS Sleep Disturbance (P < .001), PROMIS Pain Behavior (P < .001), and pain intensity (P = .02), were significantly associated with PROMIS Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities. The cubic effect of time (P = .06) and peripheral nerve block (P = .28) were not. The proportion of patients with a 0.5-SD improvement in the primary outcome increased from 23% at 6 weeks to 52% by 6 months postsurgery, whereas those reporting worsening PROMIS Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities decreased from 30% at 6 weeks to 13% at 6 months. The PROMIS Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities measure was found to be related to additional domains of function (eg, mental health, behavioral, pain) associated with postsurgical rehabilitation.

Self-reported physical function is strongly related to pain behavior and pain interference and weakly related to physical capacity in people with chronic low back pain

BackgroundInclusion of self-reported and capacity-based measures may help to further elucidate the interactive link between how people think and move. ObjectiveTo characterize the relationship between self-reported factors of physical function and pain with objective physical capacity measures. DesignCross-sectional study of 328 adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP). MethodSpearman correlations assessed the relationship between pairs of measures. Multiple linear regression models assessed the association between self-reported measures of physical function and the grouping of physical capacity measures. Self-reported measures included Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), PROMIS Physical Function, Pain Behavior, and Pain Interference; Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ). Capacity measures included walking speed and endurance, lower extremity functional strength, lumbopelvic range of motion, and trunk endurance. ResultsPROMIS Physical Function was directly and weakly correlated with walking speed (ρ = 0.26, 2-min walk) and inversely and weakly correlated with lower extremity strength (ρ = −0.29, 5x sit-to-stand). RMDQ was not correlated with any of the capacity-based measures. PROMIS Physical Function was inversely and moderately correlated with Pain Interference (ρ = −0.48) and Pain Behavior (ρ = −0.43), PCS (ρ = −0.36), and FABQ (ρ = −0.31). The RMDQ was strongly correlated with PROMIS Physical Function (ρ = −0.56), Pain Behavior (ρ = 0.51) and Pain Interference (ρ = 0.49); and moderately correlated with PCS (ρ = 0.37) and FABQ (ρ = 0.33). PROMIS Physical Function and RMDQ were not correlated with CPAQ. Lower scores on PROMIS Physical Function were weakly associated with lower measures of lower extremity strength (−0.30, 95% CI: −0.51 to −0.09, p = 0.005). Higher scores on RMDQ were also weakly associated with lower measures of lower extremity strength (0.26, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.41, p = 0.001). ConclusionsA strong association emerged between self-reported limitations in physical function, pain behavior, and pain interference. A weak association emerged between self-reported physical function and lower extremity strength.

First Validation of the Full PROMIS Pain Interference and Pain Behavior Item Banks in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Pain interference and pain behavior are highly relevant outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a universally applicable set of item banks measuring patient-reported health, and if applied as computerized adaptive tests (CATs), more efficiently and precisely than current instruments. The objective was to study the psychometric properties of the Dutch-Flemish PROMIS pain interference (PROMIS-PI) and the PROMIS pain behavior (PROMIS-PB) item banks in patients with RA. A total of 2,029 patients with RA completed the full PROMIS-PI (version 1.1, 40 items), and 1,554 patients completed the full PROMIS-PB (version 1.1, 39 items). The following psychometric properties were studied: unidimensionality, local dependence, monotonicity and graded response model (GRM) fit, cross-cultural validity (differential item functioning [DIF] for language [Dutch versus Flemish]), other forms of measurement invariance, construct validity, reliability, and floor and ceiling effects. The PROMIS-PI and PROMIS-PB banks were sufficiently unidimensional (Omega-hierarchical [Omega-H] 0.99, 0.95, and explained common variance 0.95, 0.78, respectively), had negligible local dependence (0.3-1.4% of item pairs), good monotonicity (H 0.75, 0.46), and a good GRM model fit (no misfitting items). Furthermore, both item banks showed good cross-cultural validity (no DIF for language), measurement invariance (no DIF for age, sex, administration mode, and disease activity), good construct validity (all hypotheses met), high reliability (>0.90 in the range of patients with RA), and an absence of floor and ceiling effects (0% minimum or maximum score, respectively). Both PROMIS-PI and PROMIS-PB banks showed good psychometric properties in patients with RA and can be used as CATs in research and clinical practice.

Comparison of patient-reported outcomes measurement information system and legacy instruments in multiple domains among older veterans with chronic back pain

BackgroundChronic low back pain (cLBP) results in significant physical, psycho-social and socioeconomic burden. Identifying efficient and reliable patient reported outcome measures is critical for research and clinical purposes. The NIH’s Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments have not been compared to validated “legacy” instruments in older adults with cLBP. This study evaluates construct (convergent and discriminant) validity and time to complete (TTC) PROMIS as compared to legacy instruments.MethodsWe enrolled older Veterans (age 60+) with cLBP with/without leg pain scheduled for lumbar epidural steroid injections. Subjects completed PROMIS computer adaptive test item banks and corresponding legacy instruments in the following domains: pain intensity, interference, and behavior; functional status; depression and anxiety; fatigue; sleep and social functioning. Convergent and discriminant validity between PROMIS and legacy instruments was evaluated using Spearman rank order correlations; Mann-Whitney U tests compared TTC.ResultsOf the 71 Veterans recruited, the median (IQR) age was 67 (63–71) years old, 94% were men, 76% were White, 17% Black, and 96% were Non-Hispanic. Spearman correlations between PROMIS and legacy instruments showed moderate to very strong convergent validity in all domains (r = 0.4–1.0), except for social functioning and pain behavior (PROMIS Pain Behavior with Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire). The total median TTC for all PROMIS items was significantly shorter than legacy items, 8 min 50 s vs 29 min 14 s respectively, p < 0.001.ConclusionsGiven time efficiency of using PROMIS, along with strong construct validity, PROMIS instruments are a practical choice for measuring multidimensional PROs in older Veterans with cLBP for both research and clinical purposes.

A Longitudinal Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System to Legacy Scales in Knee and Shoulder Arthroscopy Patients

The purpose of this prospective correlational study was to compare the psychometric properties of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scales with those of traditional legacy scales over a longitudinal postoperative period in patients undergoing arthroscopic procedures. Active-duty military personnel undergoing shoulder and knee arthroscopic procedures completed the DVPRS, PROMIS, and legacy scales preoperatively and again at 3 months postoperatively. Rolling correlation coefficients (rrm) were used to assess the concurrent validity between the DVPRS average pain scores and computer adaptive testing PROMIS scales (Anxiety, Depression, Pain Behavior, Pain Interference, Mobility, Sleep Disturbance, Satisfaction With Social Roles, and Upper Extremity Physical Function) and the legacy scales (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] scale, Shoulder Activity Scale, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] questionnaire, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation [SANE], Marx Activity Rating Scale, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey). A total of 121 participants completed the scales preoperatively, 80 completed them at 3months postoperatively, and 59 (49% of participants) completed them at both times. Rolling correlation coefficients between PROMIS Pain Interference (rrm= -0.41, P= .006), Satisfaction With Social Roles (rrm= 0.56, P < .001), and Upper Extremity (rrm=0.71, P < .001) scores showed acceptable concurrent validity with ASES scores over a longitudinal postoperative period. DVPRS scores (rrm= -0.69, P= .002) and PROMIS Pain Behavior (rrm= -0.57, P= .018), Pain Interference (rrm= -0.71, P= .001), Sleep Disturbance (rrm= -0.64, P= .005), and Mobility (rrm= 0.65, P= .005) scores showed acceptable concurrent validity with IKDC scores. There was poor correlation between the PROMIS and DVPRS scores and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Marx Activity Rating Scale, Shoulder Activity Scale, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey scores. PROMIS scales measuring physical function, pain presentation, and other health domains showed acceptable concurrent validity with ASES and IKDC scores. By integrating the prospective collection of biopsychosocial PROMIS scales into practice, it is possible for clinicians in orthopaedic settings to assess changes in validated patient-reported outcomes to inform patient-centered care planning throughout the postoperative recovery period. Level II, prospective comparative study (with not all participants completing follow-up).

The Effect of Patient Navigators on Health-Related Quality of Life in Sickle Cell Anemia: The SHIP-HU Study

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) therapy in sickle cell anemia (SCA) improves health care utilization, slows organ failure, and prolongs life. Implementation of evidence-based, comprehensive care has been shown to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Case management by community health workers (CHWs) is an evidence-based health management strategy. We therefore hypothesized that HU-eligible SCA adults exposed to patient navigators (PN), CHWs specially trained as case managers for SCA, would have improved HRQOL compared with controls. Methods: We enrolled 224 patients eligible for HU into the Start Healing in Patients with Hydroxyurea (SHIP-HU) Randomized Controlled Trial. All patients received care from trained physicians who implemented use of a standardized HU prescribing protocol using NIH guidelines. Pateints were randomized to either PN intervention (which included case management and education through home, telephone, and/or other visits from PNs) plus standard care by their treating physician (Experimental, E), or standard care by their physician alone (Control, C). Study physicians were blinded to study arm. At baseline, 6 and 12 months we assessed 4 psychosocial HRQOL variables-- ASCQ-Me emotional impact (EMOT), social impact (SOCI), PROMIS global mental (GMENT) and satisfaction with social roles (ROLE); 6 Physical HRQOL variables-- ASCQ-Me Sleep impact (SLEP) and Stiffness (STIFF), PROMIS global physical (GPHYS), Physical health (PHYS), Fatigue (FATG), and sleep/Wake disturbance (WAKE), and 4 pain HRQOL variables-- PROMIS pain behavior (PAINB), and ASCQ-ME-Pain crisis frequency (PAINF), Pain crisis severity (PAINS), and Pain impact (PAIN). Main analyses consisted of mixed model analysis of variance of follow-up visits, controlling for site and baseline value of outcome variable. Any missing baseline values for subjects were imputed. Results: 181 of 224 randomized patients had at least one HRQOL measure at follow-up. Patients had mean age 30.3, 45.3% were male, 81.2% were on HU at baseline. No HRQOL measures were different between groups E and C in any domain (Table, variables grouped by domain). Conclusions: In our sample, there were no differences in HRQOL among patients who were exposed to PNs vs those who weren't. These findings require further analyes before firm conclusions can be made about the isolated effect of PNs on HRQOL. PN dose of intervention was likely variable. HU use and adherence has been associated with higher HRQOL, and we did not predict high baseline HU uptake and adherence which may have led to minimal improvement despite adequate PN intervention. PNs were not allowed to work with MDs, nor did they work with the remainder of the health care team to improve HRQOL. Analyses are underway to examine these and other possible influences on HRQOL. Table. Disclosures Smith: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Villella:Emmaus: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Other: Site PI for the Rivipansel Clinical Trial. Liles:Novartis: Other: PI on clinical trial Sickle cell ; Shire: Other: PI on clinical trial Sickle cell ; Imara: Other: PI on Clinical trial- Sickle cell .

Validation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs) in the Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Prospective, cohort study. Demonstrate validity of Patient reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) physical function, pain interference, and pain behavior computer adaptive tests (CATs) in surgically treated lumbar stenosis patients. There has been increasing attention given to patient reported outcomes associated with spinal interventions. Historical patient outcome measures have inadequate validation, demonstrate floor/ceiling effects, and infrequently used due to time constraints. PROMIS is an adaptive, responsive National Institutes of Health (NIH) assessment tool that measures patient-reported health status. Ninety-eight consecutive patients were surgically treated for lumbar spinal stenosis and were assessed using PROMIS CATs, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), and Short-Form 12 (SF-12). Prior lumbar surgery, history of scoliosis, cancer, trauma, or infection were excluded. Completion time, preoperative assessment, 6 weeks and 3 months postoperative scores were collected. At baseline, 49%, 79%, and 81% of patients had PROMIS pain behavior (PB), pain interference (PI), and physical function (PF) scores greater than 1 standard deviation (SD) worse than the general population. 50.6% were categorized as severely disabled, crippled, or bed bound by ODI. PROMIS CATs demonstrated convergent validity through moderate to high correlations with legacy measures (r = 0.35-0.73). PROMIS CATs demonstrated known groups validity when stratified by ODI levels of disability. ODI improvements of at least 10 points on average had changes in PROMIS scores in the expected direction (PI = -12.98, PB = -9.74, PF = 7.53). PROMIS CATs demonstrated comparable responsiveness to change when evaluated against legacy measures. PROMIS PB and PI decreased 6.66 and 9.62 and PROMIS PF increased 6.8 points between baseline and 3-months post-op (P < 0.001). Completion time for the PROMIS CATs (2.6 min) compares favorably to ODI, ZCQ, and SF-12 scores (3.1, 3.6, and 3.0 min). PROMIS CATs demonstrate convergent validity, known groups validity, and responsiveness for surgically treated patients with lumbar stenosis to detect change over time and are more efficient than legacy instruments. 2.

(217) - Assessing predictors of self-report disability symptoms: A cross-sectional study

The current study aimed to identify predictors of disability among patients with chronic low-back pain (CLBP), to facilitate identification of at-risk patients. Data for this cross-sectional secondary analysis were originally collected from participants in a treatment study for CLBP (n = 264, Females = 129, mean age = 40.69, SD = 12.03). We chose the Ronald Morris Disability questionnaire (RMDQ) as our variable of interest and performed multiple linear regression analyses using a forward stepwise iterative model selection algorithm. The model was trained on 70% of the total data set and was later tested using the remaining 30% of the total data. A multiple linear regression analysis on RMDQ scores being predicted from PROMIS Pain behavior (PPB), PROMIS physical function (PPF), pain self-efficacy (PSE), and individuals that received previous psychological treatments (PPT) showed a significant overall effect of the model [F(4, 161) = 34.76, P < .0001, R2 = .463]. Specifically, PPB scores were positively correlated with RMDQ scores [b = .434, t(161) = 4.062, P < .0001], PPF was negatively correlated with RMDQ scores [b = −.218, t(161) = −4.443, P < .0001], PSE was negatively correlated with RMDQ [b = −.007, t(161) = −3.588, P < .0001], and PPT was positively correlated with RMDQ scores [b = 1.708, t(161) = 2.573, P < .01]. Testing the model on the retained data set resulted in a non-significant difference between predicted and actual scores [RMSE = 3.194; t(70) = .787, P > .434; R2 = .689]. These findings provide a preliminary model towards swiftly predicting disability among individuals with CLBP. Future studies should evaluate the longitudinal validity of this model and other potential factors for assessing at-risk patients. The authors would like to acknowledge funding from the NIH P01 AT006651, NIH K24DA029262, Redlich Pain Endowment.

Correlation of PROMIS CAT instruments with Oswestry Disability Index in chiropractic patients

BackgroundThe inefficiency associated with collecting standard validated instruments has been a barrier to routine use. We utilized computer adaptive testing (CAT) instruments available through Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and correlated these with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). MethodsAll measurements were collected at a routine chiropractic visit. The ODI assessment was used for comparison as a widely used patient reported outcomes instrument. ResultsThe average time to complete all questions during an office visit was 170 ± 67 s (average ± Stdev) to answer 25 ± 6 questions. Regression analysis revealed a good linear fit between ODI and both PROMIS pain behavior and physical function with R2 values of 0.5219 and 0.6754 respectively, and a good linear fit between anxiety and depression with R2 values of 0.5236. ConclusionsPROMIS CAT instruments can be efficiently administered during routine clinical visits and correlations values found validate the utility when compared to ODI.

Treatment of Foot and Ankle Neuroma Pain With Processed Nerve Allografts.

Background:Localized nerve pain in the foot and ankle can be a chronic source of disability after trauma and has been identified as the most common complication following operative interventions in the foot and ankle. The superficial location of the injured nerves and lack of suitable tissue for nerve implantation make this pain refractory to conventional methods of neuroma management. We describe a novel strategy for management using processed nerve allografts to bridge nerve gaps created by resection of both end neuromas and neuromas-in-continuity.Methods:A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed of all patients who received a processed nerve allograft for treatment of painful neuromas in the foot and ankle between May 2010 and June 2015. Patient demographic and operative information was obtained, as well as preoperative and postoperative pain assessments using a conventional ordinal scale and PROMIS (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Pain Behavior and Pain Interference assessments. Twenty-two patients were identified, with postoperative pain assessments occurring at a mean of 15.5 months after surgery.Results:Neuromas of the sural and superficial peroneal nerves were the most common diagnoses, with 3-cm nerve allografts being used as the interposition graft in the majority of cases. Eight patients had end neuromas and 18 patients had neuromas in continuity. Analysis of paired data demonstrated a mean ordinal pain score decrease of 2.6, with 24 and 31 percentage-point decreases in PROMIS Pain Behavior and Pain Interference measures, respectively. All changes were significant (P < .002).Conclusion:The painful sequelae of superficial nerve injuries in the foot and ankle was significantly improved with complete excision of the involved nerve segment followed by bridging of the resulting nerve gap with a processed nerve allograft. This approach limits surgery to the site of injury and reconstitutes the peripheral nerve anatomy.Level of Evidence:Level IV, retrospective case series.

Calibration of the Dutch-Flemish PROMIS Pain Behavior item bank in patients with chronic pain.

The aims of the current study were to calibrate the item parameters of the Dutch-Flemish PROMIS Pain Behavior item bank using a sample of Dutch patients with chronic pain and to evaluate cross-cultural validity between the Dutch-Flemish and the US PROMIS Pain Behavior item banks. Furthermore, reliability and construct validity of the Dutch-Flemish PROMIS Pain Behavior item bank were evaluated. The 39 items in the bank were completed by 1042 Dutch patients with chronic pain. To evaluate unidimensionality, a one-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. A graded response model (GRM) was used to calibrate the items. To evaluate cross-cultural validity, Differential item functioning (DIF) for language (Dutch vs. English) was evaluated. Reliability of the item bank was also examined and construct validity was studied using several legacy instruments, e.g. the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. CFA supported the unidimensionality of the Dutch-Flemish PROMIS Pain Behavior item bank (CFI = 0.960, TLI = 0.958), the data also fit the GRM, and demonstrated good coverage across the pain behavior construct (threshold parameters range: -3.42 to 3.54). Analysis showed good cross-cultural validity (only six DIF items), reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.95) and construct validity (all correlations ≥0.53). The Dutch-Flemish PROMIS Pain Behavior item bank was found to have good cross-cultural validity, reliability and construct validity. The development of the Dutch-Flemish PROMIS Pain Behavior item bank will serve as the basis for Dutch-Flemish PROMIS short forms and computer adaptive testing (CAT).

Does Verbal and Nonverbal Communication of Pain Correlate With Disability?

Illness (symptoms and disability) consistently correlates more with coping strategies and symptoms of depression than with pathophysiology or impairment. This study tested the primary null hypothesis that there is no correlation between verbal and nonverbal communication of pain (pain behavior) and upper extremity-specific disability in patients with hand and upper extremity illness. A total of 139 new and followed up adult patients completed the QuickDASH, an ordinal rating of pain, and 4 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Computer Adaptive Testing instruments: (1) PROMIS pain behavior, (2) PROMIS pain interference (measuring the degree to which pain interferes with achieving ones physical goals), (3) PROMIS physical function, and (4) PROMIS depression. Factors associated with a higher QuickDASH score in bivariate analysis included a higher PROMIS pain behavior score, not working, being separated/divorced or widowed, having sought treatment before, having other pain conditions, a higher PROMIS pain interference score, a higher PROMIS depression score, and lower education level. The final multivariable model of factors associated with QuickDASH included PROMIS pain interference, having other pain conditions, and being separated/divorced or widowed, and it explained 64% of the variability. PROMIS pain behavior (verbal and nonverbal communication of pain) correlates with upper extremity disability, but PROMIS pain interference (the degree to which pain interferes with activity) is a more important factor. Level IV, cross-sectional study.