Emotional distress: Specifying a neglected part of chronic pain

Abstract

We argue that in all randomized controlled trials that investigate treatments for chronic pain emotional distress should be reported. In a majority of cases, pain intensity and pain-related disability are measured, yet-despite guidelines to the contrary-pain-related distress is not included. We suggest that the new extension code for chronic pain as incorporated in the ICD-11 will be well suited to fill this gap at minute additional effort for the participants.