Improving psychosocial distress status (PDS) may be necessary in COPD patients since pain-related impairment (PRI) is a significant co-morbidity in one-third of COPD patients.

Objectives were to measure PDS due to PRI of COPD subjects and chronic non-malignant pain (CNP) using the Psychosocial Distress Status (PD) from the Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ), a PRI quantification from the AMA Guides to Evaluation of Permanent Impairment 6th Edition, and correlate PDS with scores from Physical Performance Tests (PPT).

From a retrospective cross-sectional study in an outpatient rehabilitation facility, the Self-Administered Co-Morbidity Questionnaire identified 29 subjects with COPD & CNP. the PDQ was sub-categorized to Functional Status (PDQ-FS) and PDS components. the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used as PPT. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) examined PDS and PPT association; alpha of .01 was used for statistical tests.

Total PDQ, stratified in PRI severity, resulted in: 67% mild, 27% moderate, 3% severe, and 3% extreme PRI. PDS ranged 7–59, averaging 19 of 60 points. 33% of the total PDQ (range 12–50%) was due to PDS. BBS ranged from 30–55, averaging 37 of 56. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between PDS and BBS (r = −.356, p = .058).

Majority of COPD outpatients had mild PRI and fair balance, and their PDS due to PRI had a significant negative effect on their PPS. Findings suggest that the self-reported PDQ-PD reliably indicates functional performance, and is valuable as PPT alternative in a busy practice. Further research amongst other populations, such as in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, would be beneficial.