Citation: Foot & Ankle International. 2014 Nov;35(11):1103-7
Author: Shivarathre DG, Howard N, Krishna S, Cowan C, Platt SR
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The impact of psychosocial factors and personality traits in chronic
pain is well established. However, there has been limited literature analyzing
the influence of psychological issues in chronic foot and ankle pain. The aim of
our study was to identify the association of certain psychosocial factors and
personality traits in individuals with chronic painful foot and ankle
disorders.
METHODS: Patients with chronic foot and ankle pain were recruited
from the specialist foot and ankle clinic. The Eysenck Personality
Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R), Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS), and Hospital
Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale were administered in the form of questionnaires.
An age- and sex-matched cohort of healthy volunteers served as the control
group. Sample size was determined after power calculation, and a total of 90
participants were recruited with informed consent with 45 participants in each
arm. Results were analyzed and statistical analyses were performed using
SPSS.
RESULTS: Patients with chronic foot and ankle pain had significantly
higher neuroticism scores than the control group (P < .05). The study also
revealed greater prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic
pain (P < .05).
CONCLUSION: The study showed a significant association of
anxiety, depression, and neuroticism in patients presenting with chronic foot
and ankle pain. Clinicians should recognize the influence of these specific
psychological issues to provide a more holistic approach to the clinical
problem.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case control study.
Link to PubMed record
