Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) contribute to the transition from acute to persistent pain. Despite increasing incidence of obesity and its linkage with chronic pain and inflammation, cytokines predominantly produced by adipose tissue (adipokines) have received little attention. Here we aimed to explore the longitudinal trajectory of adipokines from the onset of acute low back pain (LBP) and identify combinations of adipokines and/or other features that predict outcome. ⋯ Primary adipokines did not add to the prediction of poor LBP outcome that has been identified for the combination of low CRP, high TNF, and depressive symptoms in acute LBP. Whether adipokines play a role in LBP persistence in overweight/obese individuals requires investigation.
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This study assessed the prevalence of abusive partner relationships among individuals presenting for chronic pain treatment. In addition, this study examined the association between partner abuse histories and pain-relevant outcome variables. ⋯ Partner abuse appears common among individuals with chronic pain and is associated with pain-relevant outcomes, warranting additional clinical attention and research in this area.
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Persistent neuropathic pain is a common and often severe consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). There is a critical need to better understand how to overcome barriers and promote facilitators to optimal pain management. The present study was designed to identify, from the perspectives of persons living with SCI, their significant others, and SCI health care professionals, the barriers and facilitators to optimal pain management for intense neuropathic pain. ⋯ Managing intense neuropathic pain poses significant challenges after SCI. SCI stakeholders felt that accessible treatment options were limited and primarily focused on pain medications with minimal benefit but with significant risks for addiction and adverse effects. Actionable facilitators to optimal pain management after SCI include education regarding neuropathic pain and treatment options for all stakeholders, better communication regarding neuropathic pain among stakeholders, and improved patient access to nonpharmacological treatment options.
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To estimate the effects of excess body mass and leisure time physical activity on the incidence and persistence of chronic pain. ⋯ Obesity not only increases the risk of developing chronic pain, but also increases the risk of persistent pain, while leisure time physical activity reduces the risk of developing chronic pain.
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Music has been shown to modulate pain, although the impact of music on specific aspects of nociceptive processing is less well understood. Using quantitative sensory testing (QST), we assessed the impact of a novel music app on specific aspects of nociceptive processing. ⋯ Several measures of mechanical pain sensitivity were reduced with music. TSP, a measure of central sensitization, also decreased with music, but CPM, a measure of descending modulation of pain, was not further augmented by music.