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Level of readiness of chronic pain patients to practise active self‐care
Author(s) -
Scala E.,
Decosterd I.,
Faouzi M.,
Burnand B.,
Rodondi P.Y.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1002/ejp.1276
Subject(s) - medicine , interquartile range , chronic pain , confidence interval , physical therapy , relative risk
Background Given the limited alleviation of chronic pain with pharmacological treatments, various nonpharmacological and self‐care approaches are often proposed that require patients’ motivation. Objective To evaluate the level of readiness ( LOR ) to practise different types of active self‐care among chronic pain patients. Method A quantitative cross‐sectional survey was conducted among all chronic pain patients seeking care at the Pain Center of an academic hospital from June 2013 to March 2015. Sociodemographic data, pain characteristics, treatments and the LOR to practise active self‐care were investigated. Results Among the 1524 eligible patients, 639 (41.9%) were included. The median pain duration was 8.5 years (interquartile range = 7.5). Two‐thirds (63.7%) of the patients reported high pain‐related disability, and 64.6% had used opioids during the previous six months. Most patients had a high (44.1%) or moderate (24.6%) LOR to practise active self‐care. Multivariable multinomial regression analysis showed that independent factors associated with a high LOR were a higher level of education (relative risk ratio ( RRR ) = 3.42, 95% confidence interval ( CI ): 1.90–6.13, p < 0.001), unemployed status due to medical condition ( RRR = 2.92, 95% CI : 1.30–6.56, p = 0.009), the use of dietary supplements ‘against pain’ ( RRR = 2.77, 95% CI : 1.52–5.04, p = 0.001) and neuropathic pain characteristics ( RRR = 1.80, 95% CI : 1.40–3.12, p = 0.036). Older age was a factor predicting a lower LOR ( RRR = 0.97, 95% CI : 0.94–0.99, p = 0.039). Long‐term chronic pain, severe pain‐related disability and the presence of a mood disorder were not associated with a lower LOR . Conclusion Most chronic pain patients, including those severely affected, indicated their readiness to practise active self‐care methods. Significance Most chronic pain patients, even those severely affected, appeared to be ready to practise active self‐care therapies and we believe that further studies are needed to investigate their impact on pain and quality of life.