PAIN-YELLOW FLAGS

SUMMARY

1. The presence of ‘Yellow Flags’ indicate greater risk of progression to psychological distress and disability relating to pain and its management.

2. They include beliefs, emotions, behaviors and supports.

3. They indicate the need for GP involvement, consideration of a mental health plan and psychological therapies.

4. The OMSPQ-10 questionnaire identifies some of these belief patterns and a score of > 50/100 predicts an increased risk of disability at 1 year or significant distress at the time of presentation.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.