Cognitive factors associated with locomotive syndrome in chronic pain patients: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND Prevention and treatment for locomotive syndrome (LS) are important for extending healthy life expectancy. The 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25) was developed to diagnose LS. The Fear-Avoidance model was proposed to explain pain chronicity. LS and chronic pain decrease activities of daily living; however, the relationships between LS and factors related to chronic pain in the Fear-Avoidance model are unknown. Objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of LS and examine the factors of the Fear-Avoidance model and the GLFS-25 that affect the prevalence of LS in patients with chronic pain. METHODS Participants included 281 patients (99 men, 182 women) aged over 40 years with chronic pain who visited our outpatient clinic for chronic pain. All participants completed the GLFS-25, numeric rating scale (NRS), pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and Athene insomnia scale (AIS). According to a GLFS-25 cutoff point, participants were divided into three groups (LS-2; GLFS-25 ≥ 16, LS-1; 7 ≤ GLFS-25 < 16, and non-LS; GLFS-25 < 7 points) and each parameter was compared among the groups, followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Next, multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with the GLFS-25. RESULTS Of all 281 patients, 241 (85.8%) patients were diagnosed with LS-2. Univariate analysis revealed there were significant differences in NRS, PCS, HADS anxiety, HADS depression, and AIS among groups. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed PCS was significantly associated with LS-2 prevalence. The GLFS-25 was positively correlated with NRS, HADS depression, AIS in multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS We found that patients with chronic pain in our outpatient clinic had a significant rate of LS-2. The prevalence of LS-2 was significantly correlate with pain catastrophizing, and the GLFS-25 was significantly correlated with higher pain intensity, depression, and insomnia.