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The following is a summary of “the exploration of multifactorial predictors of pain in chronic musculoskeletal pain: a study based on regression”, published in the April 2025 issue of Journal of Pain Research by González-de-la-Flor et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess the differences in knowledge on pain neurophysiology between individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and to explore associations between pain knowledge, pain intensity and demographic and lifestyle factors.
They included 171 participants, made up of 120 with CMP and 51 without CMP. Soci -demographic data, linked to pain and lifestyle, have been collected. Knowledge of pain has been evaluated using the questionnaire on the neurophysiology of revised pain (R-NPQ). Statistical analyzes, including T tests, Square Chi tests, Pearson correlation and stages regression models, were used to identify the predictors of the intensity of pain and the presence of CMP.
The results showed significant differences between the participants with and without CMP in the body mass index (BMI) (BMI) (BMI) (BMI) (BMI) (BMI) (BMI) (BMI) (BMI) (BMI)P <0.001), physical activity (P = 0.023), level of education (P = 0.002) and alcohol consumption (P = 0.017). Participants with CMP had lower R-NPQ scores (average 4.40 ± 2.1) compared to those without CMP (average of 6.31 ± 2.03; P <0.001). The intensity of the pain was negatively correlated with the R-NPQ scores (R = −0.315; P <0.001), physical activity (r = −0,199; P = 0.030) and level of education (RHO = 0.236; P = 0.010). Stage regression analysis revealed that R-NPQ scores (20.7%), BMI (6.7%), level of education (3.9%) and physical activity (2.6%) explained 33.9%of the variance in pain intensity (R Adjusted R2
= 0.339). Binary logistic regression has identified BMI, R-NPQ scores and the level of education as significant CMP predictors, with higher BMI and higher R-NPQ scores increasing CMP ratings, while higher education and physical activity were protective factors.
Investigators have concluded that people with CMP have shown lower knowledge of pain neurophysiology, higher BMI, reduction in physical activity and lower level of education, all factors associated with greater pain and increased probability of CMP.