Central sensitization-related symptoms and their relationship to disability in prevalent chronic musculoskeletal pain: A cross-sectional study

Background

Central sensitization (CS) has an important role in chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, which is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between CS-related symptoms and disability in chronic MSK pain.

Design

Multi-center cross-sectional survey.

Methods

Demographic and clinical variables including location, duration, and severity of pain were recorded. In the examination of disability, Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index for low back pain, Neck Pain and Disability Scale for neck pain, Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand for shoulder/upper extremity pain, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for knee pain were used. CS-related symptoms were investigated via the central sensitization inventory (CSI). Based on CSI scores, patient data were compared using the T test and an ANOVA. The association between CSI and selected variables was investigated using Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis.

Results

The mean CSI score of five hundred participants was 40.46 (SD: 15.87). Patients with CSI≥40 were found to have higher levels of pain and disability and a poorer quality of life (p < 0.05). In ANOVA, significant differences between groups were observed in CS severity levels for VAS, symptom duration, and all clinical scores (p < 0.01). In the multivariate regression analysis, CSI and VAS scores were found to be related to disability in all pain groups, while pain duration was effective only in the change of knee disability.

Conclusion

CS-related symptoms, which are related to increased pain and disability, should be closely monitored in patients with chronic MSK pain.