This pilot study was designed to identify the mood state of patients attending two pain clinics in the South of England and to identify the factors which are predictive of mood in patients with chronic pain. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire which included a short bipolar mood profile, together with verbal rating scales to assess pain and contributory coping variables. The most commonly occurring negative moods were tension, worry and irritability. Lack of information was the best predictor of negative mood. Other variables which were found to be associated with negative mood included lack of sleep, occupation and emotional support, and financial problems.