Life satisfaction in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and its predictors

<p>Purpose To determine the life satisfaction of patients with chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain (CMP) compared to the general population (GP) and to identify predictors of life satisfaction.</p><p>Methods Subjects were patients with CMP (n = 1,082) admitted to multidisciplinary rehabilitation and a general population sample (n = 506). Lisat-9 measures satisfaction with life as a whole and eight life domains. Physical, emotional and social functioning and pain intensity were assessed using the SF-36. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyse differences between patients with CMP and the GP, and predictors of life satisfaction in patients with CMP.</p><p>Results Compared to the general population, patients with CMP reported lower satisfaction with 'life as a whole', and with six life domains: self-care, leisure, vocational and financial situation, sex life and contacts with friends. In the CMP group, pain was associated with satisfaction with self-care, vocational situation, partnership, family life and contacts with friends. Marital status, age and mental health were associated with most satisfaction scores.</p><p>Conclusions Compared to the general population, patients with CMP reported lower satisfaction with 'life as a whole' and most life domains. The most consistent predictors of life satisfaction were marital status, mental health, vitality and pain.</p>