The contribution of pain catastrophizing, depression and anxiety symptoms among patients with persistent pain and opioid misuse behaviours.

BACKGROUND

Anxiety, depression and pain catastrophizing are independently associated with risk of opioid misuse in patients with persistent pain but their relationship to current opioid misuse, when considered together, is poorly understood. This study will assess the relative contribution of these modifiable, and distinct psychological constructs to current opioid misuse in patients with persistent pain.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-seven patients referred to a specialized opioid management clinic for prescription opioid misuse within a tertiary pain service were recruited for this study. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales and the Current Opioid Misuse Measure were administered pre-treatment. Pain severity and morphine equivalent dose based on independent registry data were also recorded.

RESULTS

Higher levels of pain catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety were significantly associated with higher current opioid misuse (r = .475, 0.599, and 0.516 respectively, p < .01). Pain severity was significantly associated with pain catastrophizing (r = .301, p < .01). Catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety explained an additional 11.56% of the variance (R change = 0.34, p < .01) over and above age, gender, pain severity and morphine equivalent dose. Depression was the only significant variable at Step 2 (β = 0.62, p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Findings show that in a sample of people with persistent pain referred for treatment for opioid misuse, depression contributes over and above that of anxiety and pain catastrophizing. Theoretical and clinical practice implications are presented.