Predictors of Self-Rated Health in Patients with Chronic Nonmalignant Pain

Self-rated health (SRH) is an important outcome measure that has been found to accurately predict mortality, morbidity, function, and psychologic well-being. Chronic nonmalignant pain presents with a pattern that includes low levels of power and high levels of pain, depression, and disability. Differences in SRH may be related to variations within this pattern. The purpose of this analysis was to identify determinants of SRH and test their ability to predict SRH in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. SRH was measured by response to a single three-option age-comparative question. The Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool, McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and Pain Disability Index were used to measure independent variables. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p = .001) between SRH categories on the combined dependent variable. Analysis of variance conducted as a follow-up identified significant differences for power (p < .001) and depression (p = .003), but not for pain or pain-related disability; and discriminant analysis found that power and depression correctly classified patients with 75% accuracy. Findings suggest pain interventions designed to improve mood and provide opportunities for knowing participation may have a greater impact on overall health than those that target only pain and disability.