Pain catastrophizing and its relationship with pain-related outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Despite advancements in treatment, patients with rheumatoid arthritis still rate pain as one of their highest priority for seeking rheumatologic care. A critical psychological factor known as pain catastrophizing has been shown to influence and exacerbate the pain experience. The study objectives include: 1) to examine the relationship between pain catastrophizing and pain-related outcomesincluding pain interference, physical functioning, social functioning, emotional functioning, and depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; 2) to explore whether pain intensity moderates the relationship between pain catastrophizing and study outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; 3) to develop recommendations for improvement in pain management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on the study findings. The secondary analysis of research data study followed a cross-sectional correlational survey design. A convenience sample of 150 patients was recruited in the original study and 129 patients were included in this study. Inclusion criteria: rheumatoid arthritis patients aged 18 years or older suffering from chronic pain for at least 3 months’. Exclusion criteria: Individuals with chronic pain secondary to other chronic non-malignant pain than rheumatoid arthritis. The previously filled Chronic Pain Questionnaire-Arabic (CPQ-A) was used to meet the purpose of the study. Pain catastrophizing was significantly correlated with all study outcomes. Pain intensity did not moderate the relationship between pain catastrophizing and all study outcomes. Study findings have important clinical and theoretical implications and further research is needed to explore the moderating effect of pain intensity.