Abstract
In this study a pain questionnaire composed of questions commonly in use was applied to a group of chronic pain patients, and the results were analyzed in order to assess the relevance of each individual item for the following: classification of pain; evaluation of treatment and prediction of outcome. The usefulness of items differed markedly in these 3 respects. Several of the questions yielded classificatory and predictive information whereas only a few seemed to be suitable for evaluation of outcome of treatment. The selection of items must be made with regard to the special purpose for which the pain questionnaire is intended. The study may serve as a model for how to proceed in designing a pain questionnaire.