Articles: pain-measurement.
-
Although the reliability of pain drawings (PDs) has been confirmed in people with chronic pain, there is a lack of evidence about the validity of the PD, that is, does the PD accurately represent the pain experience of the patient? ⋯ Chronic pain, perception, pain drawings, somatic awareness.
-
"Asymbolia for pain" has shown the potentiality of diseased insular networks to dissociate sensory from affective-behavioral dimensions of pain, resulting in the lack of appropriate motor and affective responses despite preserved sensory aspect of pain. Here, we describe 4 patients with an inverse phenomenon of asymbolia for pain, namely an isolated "symbolism for pain" triggered by epileptic seizures, characterized by pain behavior without declarative pain sensation despite fully preserved contact and vigilance. ⋯ The pain behavior might reflect seizure propagation from the insula to brain networks serving for behavioral responses associated with pain, including the cingulate motor region and possibly also the basal ganglia. We propose that the isolated symbolism for pain is a novel epileptic syndrome of dissociation between pain perception and behaviors associated with the insular nociceptive-related networks.
-
Comparative Study
Usefulness of Ramp & Hold Procedures for Testing of Pain Facilitation in Human Participants: Comparisons With Temporal Summation of Second Pain.
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is used to systematically interrogate normal responding and alterations of nervous system function, including pain-related central sensitization (CS). However, up to now, QST of CS in human subjects has been mostly focused on temporal summation of second pain (TSSP), has been difficult to perform, and has been associated with low reliability. In contrast, slow ramp & hold (RH) procedures are simpler tests of temporal summation and easier to perform. ⋯ The magnitude of short-term CS, determined by aftersensations and wind-down was similar after sensitivity-adjusted TSSP and RH stimuli (P > .05), suggesting that pain facilitation of healthy participants and likely chronic pain patients can not only be tested with TSSP but also with RH procedures. PERSPECTIVE: This article examines the ability of RH procedures to generate similar central sensitivity augmentation than TSSP. The results suggest that RH is similarly well suited as TSSP to explore central pain mechanisms in healthy subjects and most likely also in chronic pain patients.
-
Most studies of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and painful DPN are conducted in persons with longstanding diabetes. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of DPN and painful DPN, important risk factors, and the association with mental health in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. A total of 5514 (82%) patients (median diabetes duration 4.6 years) enrolled in the Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Type 2 Diabetes cohort responded to a detailed questionnaire on neuropathy and pain. ⋯ Possible DPN and painful DPN were independently and additively associated with lower quality of life, poorer sleep, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Possible DPN itself had greater impact on mental health than neuropathic pain. This large study emphasizes the importance of careful screening for DPN and pain early in the course of type 2 diabetes.
-
Drawing on advances in chronic pain metrics, a simplified Graded Chronic Pain Scale-Revised was developed to differentiate mild, bothersome, and high-impact chronic pain. Graded Chronic Pain Scale-Revised was validated among adult enrollees of 2 health plans (N = 2021). In this population, the prevalence of chronic pain (pain present most or every day, prior 3 months) was 40.5%: 15.4% with mild chronic pain (lower pain intensity and interference); 10.1% bothersome chronic pain (moderate to severe pain intensity with lower interference with life activities); and 15.0% high-impact chronic pain (sustained pain-related activity limitations). ⋯ Persons with high-impact chronic pain, relative to those with bothersome chronic pain, were more likely to have substantial activity limitations (significant differences for 4 of 5 disability indicators) and more often received long-term opioid therapy. Graded Chronic Pain Scale-Revised strongly predicted 5 activity-limitation indicators with area under receiver operating characteristic curve coefficients of 0.76 to 0.89. We conclude that the 5-item Graded Chronic Pain Scale-Revised and its scoring rules provide a brief, simple, and valid method for assessing chronic pain.