Quality of life and mood state of chronic pain patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Noticing the presence of persistent somatic complaints of people looking for the physiotherapy department, with persistent pain as major symptom , and the possible association between pain complaint and psychological and social factors, mood changes and interference with quality of life, this study aimed at evaluating quality of life and mood state of chronic pain patients. METHODS: Quantitative and descriptive survey carried out in three basic health units of the city of Catarina/CE. The following questionnaires were applied: SF-36 (quality of life), McGill (pain evaluation) and Profile of Mood States (mood state). RESULTS: Participated in the study 24 individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain complains, mean age of 37.29 years and 83.3% of the female gender. Just 33.3% of the sample had complete high school, and 83.3% had musculoskeletal pain three or more times a week. Physical and emotional aspects measured by SF-36 had mean scores of 23.12 and 30.92, respectively. Lowest McGill scores were found in the mixed (2.12) and evaluative (2.29) scores. For POMS, the sum of negative values (72.04) was higher than the item vigor (18.96). CONCLUSION: There have been evidences of interference with quality of life and mood state in chronic pain patients.