Association of Pain Sensitivity with Outcome Measures for Quality of Life, Functional Ability and Current Pain Intensity in Chronic Low Back Pain

Pain sensitivity, as measured by the self-reported Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ), was investigated using data from the PRECISION Pain Research Registry. Outcome measures for quality of life, functional ability, and current pain intensity were found to be significantly associated with PSQ Total in participants reporting chronic low back pain, even when controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, smoking status, and body mass index. Higher reported pain sensitivity correlated with reported higher pain intensity, lower quality of life, and increased physical disability.