European journal of pain : EJP
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The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) is a self-rating instrument developed as a time- and cost-saving alternative to quantitative sensory testing (QST). The aims of the study were to assess (a) the associations between PSQ scores and QST in women with persistent pelvic pain and in pain-free controls and (b) to what extent demographic variables and psychological distress influenced PSQ scores. ⋯ The PSQ reflects pain sensitivity in women with PPP and can be used as a non-invasive and painless way to assess this condition in clinical practice.
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Central sensitization (CS) is found in patients with musculoskeletal disorders and is related to clinical symptoms, including pain-related disability. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) has been developed for patients who are at risk of symptoms related to CS, and CSI severity levels are suggested for clinical interpretation of the CSI score. However, the longitudinal relationship between CSI severity and pain-related disability is unclear in primary care. In this study, we investigated the association between CSI severity levels and the profiles of patients with musculoskeletal disorders as well as the longitudinal relationship between CSI severity levels and pain-related disability in primary care settings. ⋯ Higher CSI severity levels predicted higher pain-related disability for patients with musculoskeletal disorders in a primary care setting. CSI is a clinically useful prediction tool in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
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Pain at any age is related to pain experienced at younger ages, but not much is known on how pain develops over the adult life course. We studied long-term individual trajectories of pain over 15 years of the life course and evaluated the role of baseline sociodemographic factors, lifestyle factors and health characteristics. ⋯ Asking adults about pain every 5 years over a 15-year period shows that almost one-third never reported pain and one-fifth persistent pain. "Persistent" and "developing" pain is associated with smoking, obesity and short sleep duration. Long-term pain trajectories may reflect relevant pain phenotypes.
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Cutting is the most common method of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to reduce inner tension in patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Aim of this study was to compare pain perception induced by an incision and by application of a surrogate model for sharp mechanical pain (a non-invasive "blade") in BPD. ⋯ Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) report less pain in response to phasic nociceptive stimuli. In comparing an invasive pain stimulus to phasic nociceptive stimuli in BPD patients, the "blade" as non-invasive surrogate model for sharp mechanical pain in psychiatric patients is used. In contrast to healthy volunteers, BPD patients do not report significant affective ratings and specifically display a reduced sensory component for sharpness.