Creation of the Abbreviated Measures of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory: The PCS-4 and SHAI-5

Abstract

Objective: In patients with arm and upper extremity illness, pain catastrophizing and health anxiety are important factors in disability, pain and patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to develop a shorter version of the 13-item Pain Catastrophizing Scale [PCS] and 18-item Short Health Anxiety Inventory [SHAI].

Methods: One hundred and sixty-four patients [54% women, mean age of 51 years] with a variety of upper extremity diagnoses enrolled in this study. Patients completed the PCS, the SHAI, the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire [DASH] for disability, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] for depressive symptoms and a scale to measure pain. Inter-correlation analyses were conducted on each of the subscales of the PCS and the SHAI and questions were selected based on the magnitude of their inter-item correlation.

Results: Questions 3, 6, 8 and 11 remained in the PCS-4 and showed good internal consistency [α = 0.86] and correlated highly with the original PCS [r = 0.96]. Questions 2, 3, 12, 15 and 17 were chosen for the SHAI-5. The SHAI-5 had α = 0.67 and had a correlation or r = 0.87 with the SHAI-18. Both the SHAI-5 and PCS-4 had equal correlations with DASH, PHQ and pain as the original questionnaires.

Conclusions: We found that the PCS-4 and SHAI-5 were comparable to the original questionnaires, but further studies should be conducted in order to confirm our findings. This study provides preliminary evidence that the PCS-4 and SHAI-5 could be used to screen for health anxiety and pain catastrophizing in busy orthopedic settings.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level II

• Health anxiety
• pain catastrophizing
• short form questionnaires

Declaration of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest with regards to this study

Arjan G.J. Bot has received grants from “VSB fonds”, “Prins Bernhard CultuurFonds/Banning de Jong Fonds”, both non-medical grants and the orthopaedic: “Anna Fonds travel grant”

Stéphanie J.E. Becker has received grants from “Anna Fonds”, “Genootschap Noorthey” and “Vreedefonds”.

Hanneke Bruijnzeel has received a grant from “Anna Fonds”.

Marjolein A.M. Mulders has received a grant from “Anna Fonds”.

David Ring receives royalties from Wright Medical Technology Inc.; is consultant for Wright Medical, Skeletal Dynamics, Biomet; received honoraria from AO North America, AO International; has royalties contracted with Biomet, Skeletal Dynamics; has stock Options in Illuminos; received study specific grants from Skeletal Dynamics (Pending); received funding for Hand Surgery Fellowship from AO North America and is Deputy Editor for Review Articles, Journal of Hand Surgery Am., Deputy Editor for Hand and Wrist, Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Assistant Editor, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.

Ana-Maria Vranceanu received a grant from the Orthopedic Association of Trauma (OTA).