The prediction of treatment outcome at a multidisciplinary pain center

The purpose of this study was to determine if some commonly used admission variables could predict treatment outcome on a multidisciplinary pain center. Specifically, it was designed as a prospective study of an index proposed by Maruta et al. The subjects were 104 patients. The 4 outcome measures used were staff judgment, patient judgment, change in pain scores and change in mood. With the exception of a negative correlation with age, none of the other variables predicted outcome. The index of Maruta did not predict outcome.