Catastrophizing, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients with Chronic Non-Malignant Pain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the level of anxiety and depression and the intensity of pain in patients with chronic non-malignant pain, the correlation of catastrophizing with these factors, and the interaction of a multidisciplinary program for the treatment of chronic pain and the level of catastrophizing, anxiety, depression and pain intensity. The study was conducted on a sample of 44 participants aged 32 to 80 years who participated in the multidisciplinary program for chronic pain management at the Institute for Pain Management of the Clinical Medical Center Osijek. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS); the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure anxiety and depression; while catastrophizing was measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). There was a moderate positive correlation between anxiety, depression, and pain intensity in patients with chronic non-malignant pain; a positive correlation between anxiety, depression, pain intensity, and catastrophic factors; and a reduction of anxiety, depression, pain intensity and catastrophization at the end of a multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment program. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the relation between emotional distress, cognitions and pain intensity in patients with chronic non-malignant pain.