Quality of Life and Anxiety in Patients with Acute and Chronic Pain

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the factors such as quality of life (QOL), anxiety and pain intensity in patients with acute and chronic pain. METHOD: Twenty patients with acute (pain duration 3 months) musculoskeletal pain were recruited. Pain intensity was assessed using 3 measures: ratings of average pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), ratings of average pain on the short form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and ratings of pain on the present pain intensity (PPI) verbal rating scale. Quality of life and anxiety were assessed using 2 measures: the SF-36 (medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey) and the STAI (state-trait anxiety inventory). RESULTS: The SF-36 scale was lower and state anxiety scale was higher in chronic pain group. The SF-36 and the state anxiety scale revealed significant difference between the acute and chronic groups (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the the groups regarding pain intensity and the trait anxiety scale. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic pain showed low well-being status and increased anxiety level compared to acute pain patients. According to the above results, proper management of chronic pain might be helpful for enhancing their psychosocial function.