Psychological Predictors of Chronic Pain in Al Kharj Region, Saudi Arabia

Overview

Journal Ann Gen Psychiatry

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2021 Mar 27

PMID 33771167

Citations 2

Authors

Jamaan Al-Zahrani

Mamdouh M Shubair

Sameer Al-Ghamdi

Khaled K Aldossari

Majid Alsalamah

Badr F Al-Khateeb

Abdulkarim Saeed

Saeed Alshahrani

Aseel Salem AlSuwaidan

Abdullah A Alrasheed

Ashraf El-Metwally

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Psychological distress is one of the major determinants for the experience progression, and recovery of chronic pain. However, it is unclear whether physical pain in specific body sites could be predictive of psychological illness. In this study, we aim to investigate the link between chronic pain in specific anatomical sites and psychological distress represented in the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12 items).

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Kharj region of Saudi Arabia. We included 1003 participants. Data were collected using the GHQ-12, and a subjective report on eight anatomical pain sites. Data analysis used statistical software SPSS version 26.0 for Windows statistical package.

Results: Chronic musculoskeletal pain in the neck and head regions was significantly associated with higher psychological distress. Other sites (back, lower limb, chest, abdominal and upper limb pain) were not associated with psychological distress. In multiple regression analysis, chronic 'general' pain was significantly associated with higher psychological distress (unstandardized Beta regression coefficient = 2.568; P < 0.0001). The patients with younger age were more likely to develop negative psychological disorders (unstandardized Beta = - 3.137; P = 0.038). Females were more likely to have higher psychological distress than males (unstandardized Beta = 2.464, P = 0.003). Single (not-married) people have a higher risk of psychological distress than married people (unstandardized Beta = 2.518, P = 0.025). Also, job type/status whether being unemployed (not working) or 'civilian' (civil servant/worker) was positively and significantly associated with an increased probability of psychological distress (unstandardized Beta = 1.436, P = 0.019).

Conclusion: Chronic 'general' pain was significantly associated with negative psychological disorders. The government of Saudi Arabia needs to focus on patients with chronic 'general' pain, females, young and unmarried individuals as potentially 'high-risk' population subgroups for adverse psychological disorders, and subsequent long-term complications.

Citing Articles

Dual burden of chronic physical conditions and mental disorders: Findings from the Saudi National Mental Health Survey.

Altwaijri Y, Al-Habeeb A, Al-Subaie A, Bruffaerts R, Bilal L, Hyder S Front Public Health. 2023; 11:1238326.

PMID: 38089017 PMC: 10715453. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1238326.

Stigma and Chronic Pain.

Perugino F, De Angelis V, Pompili M, Martelletti P Pain Ther. 2022; 11(4):1085-1094.

PMID: 35930220 PMC: 9633893. DOI: 10.1007/s40122-022-00418-5.

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