Spouses' and physicians' perceptions of pain severity in older women with osteoarthritis: Dyadic agreement and patients' well-being

This study examined agreement between patients and two role partners (spouses and physicians) on patients' pain severity and the relationships between dyadic agreement and patients' well-being. We hypothesized that compared to disagreement between patients and role partners, dyadic agreement would be related to better psychological well-being (more disease-specific self-efficacy and positive affect, and less depression). Participants were 114 older women with osteoarthritis, their caregiving husbands, and their rheumatologists. Among patient-spouse dyads, agreement was associated with better well-being, especially when compared to spouses' underestimation of patients' pain. Contrary to predictions, patient-physician agreement was not related to better patient well-being. Agreement between patients and physicians was associated with less (rather than more) self-efficacy and positive affect when compared to physicians' underestimation of patients' pain.