Risks and protective factors for chronic pain after one year: findings from the PRIME study

Abstract

This study examined predictors of physical and psychological quality of life (QoL) in a 12-month follow-up of a chronic pain (CP) sample from the PRIME study and the persistence of CP and incidence of new cases of CP in that period. Postal survey responses (N=717; 60%) indicated that among those with CP at baseline, 59.9% still reported CP at follow-up (‘persistent CP’), which was associated with a longer history of pain at baseline, more pain sites, higher baseline depression scores and greater levels of pain intensity and disability at baseline. At one year, 12.7% had developed new CP, which was predicted by lower physical QoL at baseline. Among those with persistent CP, a better physical QoL at 12 months was predicted by a lower number of pain sites, lower pain disability, and lower levels of pain catastrophising at baseline. A better psychological QoL was linked to being older, lower depression scores, lower pain catastrophizing, greater levels of social support and greater levels of understanding of pain at baseline. Results are discussed in light of extant research and theory.