Prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain in veterans with spinal cord injury

Abstract— To assess prevalence and characteristics of individualchronic (>6 mo) pain components in the veteran spinal cordinjury (SCI) population, we conducted a telephone survey with348 (66%) of 530 veterans with SCI who received care from oneregional Department of Veterans Affairs SCI center during a 3 yrperiod. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire was used toassess qualitative properties of the pain experience. Other ques-tions were used to assess frequency, duration, intensity, exacer-bating factors, and effects on daily activities. Of the participants,75% reported at least one chronic pain component. The majority(83%) of the chronic pain components occurred daily (mean =27.4 d/mo) and lasted most of the day (mean = 17.4 h/d). Meanpain intensity in the week before the interview averaged 6.7 (on a0 to 10 scale), while worst pain intensity averaged 8.6. Two-thirds(67%) of the chronic pain components interfered with dailyactivities. The most commonly selected pain descriptors were“aching,” “sharp,” “hot-burning,” and “tiring-exhausting.” Moreresearch is needed to identify better ways to prevent, assess, andtreat chronic pain in the veteran SCI population.