Convergent validity and clinically relevant categories for the Dutch Central Sensitization Inventory in patients with chronic pain

The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a diagnostic tool, which assists the clinicians in the identification of signs of central sensitization (CS). Psychosocial factors contribute to the development and maintenance of signs of CS. But the relationship with the CSI is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the convergent validity for the Dutch CSI with CSS, depression, anxiety, widespread pain, catastrophizing, and pain intensity. The second aim is to determine clinically relevant categories for the Dutch CSI. In this cross-sectional study, patients completed multiple questionnaires. Bivariate correlations were calculated and the Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance test was used. One-hundred and ninety-eighth patients were included. The CSI scores were strongly correlated with depression (r_s = .67; p < .01), anxiety (r_s = .65; p < .01), and CSS (r_s = .51; p < .01). Moderate to strong relationships were found for the Widespread Pain Index (r_s = .43; p < .01) and a low relationship with pain intensity (r_s = .36; p < .01) and catastrophizing (r_s = .39; p < .01). Four clinical relevant categories were identified: low 0–26 points, mild 27–39 points, moderate 40–52 points, and high 53+ points. This study provides a weak to strong association between the total score of the Dutch CSI and psychosocial factors, and presents clinically relevant categories for the Dutch CSI.