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Convergent Validity of the Dutch Central Sensitization Inventory: Associations with Psychophysical Pain Measures, Quality of Life, Disability, and Pain Cognitions in Patients with Chronic Spinal Pain
Author(s) -
Kregel Jeroen,
Schumacher Charline,
Dolphens Mieke,
Malfliet Anneleen,
Goubert Dorien,
Lenoir Dorine,
Cagnie Barbara,
Meeus Mira,
Coppieters Iris
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/papr.12672
Subject(s) - medicine , pain catastrophizing , quality of life (healthcare) , physical therapy , chronic pain , cognition , central sensitization , intensity (physics) , sensitization , convergent validity , clinical psychology , nociception , psychometrics , psychiatry , physics , receptor , nursing , internal consistency , quantum mechanics , immunology
Objective Symptoms of central sensitization ( CS ) have been described in patients with chronic spinal pain ( CSP ). Although a gold standard to diagnose CS is lacking, psychophysical pain measures are often used. The Central Sensitization Inventory ( CSI ) is proposed as an alternative method and indirect tool for the evaluation of CS symptomatology. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the convergent validity of the CSI by investigating the association with psychophysical pain measures and self‐reported measures of current pain intensity, quality of life, disability, and catastrophizing in CSP patients. Methods One hundred sixteen patients with nonspecific CSP were included in the present study. Patients completed the CSI , were subjected to pressure pain thresholds ( PPT s) and a conditioned pain modulation ( CPM ) paradigm, and completed questionnaires for current pain intensity, quality of life, pain disability, and pain catastrophizing. Results Higher CSI scores were weakly correlated with lower PPT s (−0.276 ≤ r ≤ −0.237; all P ≤ 0.01) and not with CPM efficacy ( r = 0.017; P = 0.858). Higher CSI scores were moderately correlated with higher current pain intensity ( r = 0.320; P < 0.001), strongly correlated with lower physical ( r = −0.617; P < 0.001) and emotional ( r = −0.635; P < 0.001) quality of life, and moderately correlated with higher pain disability ( r = 0.472; P < 0.001) and higher pain catastrophizing ( r = 0.464; P < 0.001). Conclusion The CSI was weakly associated with PPT s and not with CPM efficacy in CSP patients. Moderate to strong associations were found with current pain intensity, quality of life, disability, and catastrophizing. The current results illustrate that the CSI does not reflect a direct measure of CS , yet is a representation of general distress, possible originating from CS symptoms.