B. Rosenfeld et al., PAIN IN AMBULATORY AIDS PATIENTS .2. IMPACT OF PAIN ON PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE, Pain, 68(2-3), 1996, pp. 323-328
The relationships among pain, psychological distress and other quality
of life concerns were examined through a prospective cross-sectional
survey of 438 ambulatory AIDS patients recruited from health care faci
lities in New York City. In this sample, 274 (62.6%) patients reported
frequent or persistent pain during the prior 2 wks. Patients with and
without pain completed a questionnaire packet that included measures
of psychological symptom distress (Brief Symptom Inventory and the Psy
chological Distress Subscale of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale)
, depression (Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale),
social support (Social Support Questionnaire), and overall quality of
life (Functional Living Index - Cancer, modified for AIDS). Multivaria
te analyses (MANOVA, multiple regression) revealed significant associa
tions between the presence and intensity of pain and scores on the mea
sures of psychological distress, depression, hopelessness, and quality
of life (P < 0.0001 for most analyses). Perceived adequacy of social
support was also significantly associated with lower levels of psychol
ogical distress and depression, and better quality of life. These resu
lts demonstrate the significant relationships between pain, psychologi
cal well-being, and quality of life, and affirm the need to provide ad
equate treatment of pain in patients with AIDS.