Table 1

Influence of associated conditions on the clinical manifestation of CWS

Associated conditions
n (%)
Characteristics versus the other cases of CWS *

Long lasting cough or dyspnea
31 (10)
Mostly a recent complaint
More frequently right-sided pain (26 vs 11%)
Anxiety
20 (7)
Lower mean age (43 vs 51 year)
Constrictive pain (55 vs 23%)
Initiated by an anxious mood (40 vs 11%)
Fibromyalgia
10 (3)
9 of 10 being female
Wide spread pain; frequent irradiation
After thoracotomy
8 (3)
Long duration and recurrent CWS
Rheumatic disorder
8 (3)
Cyphosis, osteoporosis (3), spondylarthritis (2), arthritis (2), radiotherapy (1)
Spine disorder
8 (3)
Unilateral pain without tender point, spine disorder

* all differences significative at p < 0.05

Verdon et al. BMC Family Practice 2007 8:51   doi:10.1186/1471-2296-8-51