Objectives: To examine the influence of social contexts on patients' p
ain measurements. Methods: Forty people, with rheumatoid arthritis com
pleted a visual analog scale [VAS] [twice], the McGill Pain Questionna
ire [MPQ], patient and partner were interviewed using a semi-structure
d schedule. Results: Differences [not statistically significant] were
found between: those living alone and those with a partner; hospital V
AS scores of men and their home scores; mean scores of men with emotio
nally supportive partners and those with instrumentally supportive par
tners; MPQ scores [Pain Rating Intensity [PRI]] and pain ratings from
interviews. Conclusions: The variations in pain scores in different so
cial contexts suggest that pain scores may be socially influenced.