Low back pain patients in primary care: Subgroups based on the multidimensional pain inventory

Classification of patients into homogeneous subgroups is an important objec tive in primary care management of low back pain patients. The purpose of t his study is to (a) identify and describe cluster profiles based on self-re ported multidimensional pain inventory Scale (MPI) scores among subacute an d chronic nonspecific low back pain patients; Cb) describe characteristics of the clusters in relation to disability, life satisfaction, functional se lf-efficacy, and exercise self-efficacy; and (c) compare grouping by cluste rs based on self-reported MPI scores with grouping by symptom duration. Eig hty-eight individuals participated. These had a median lower back pain dura tion of 7 months (range 1 to 144 months). Three clusters were identified; t hese were labeled interpersonally distressed, adaptive copers, and dysfunct ional. The clusters differed significantly in disability and functional sel f-efficacy scores, but not in life satisfaction and exercise self-efficacy scores. The results of this study in a primary care setting are discussed i n relation to previous results in pain clinic settings.