A psychosocial and behavioral comparison of reflex sympathetic dystrophy, low back pain, and headache patients.

Based primarily on anecdotal evidence, patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) have often been suspected of having a high degree of psychosocial disturbance prior to the onset of symptoms as well as in reaction to the disorder. In the present study, patients presenting to a pain center with RSD were compared to patients with low back (LBP) and headache pain (HAP) on a variety of self-reported demographic, behavioral, pain, and mood measures. Typical of most patients experiencing chronic pain, all three groups demonstrated elevations indicative of pain, emotional distress, and behavioral disturbance.