Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is usually quantified using the visual analog scale (VAS). However, the VAS is a subjective measure and prone to reporting bias, therefore making it difficult to differentiate patients with true pain from those seeking to obtain secondary gain. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using plasma β-endorphin as an objective biomarker for CLBP. ⋯ A change in plasma β-endorphin level may be a surrogate marker of the treatment response for patients with CLBP. Advancements in β-endorphin measurements may help us better quantify pain intensity.
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Veterans with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) are a vulnerable population whose care remains a challenge for clinicians, policy-makers, and researchers. As a result of military experience, veterans are exposed to high rates of musculoskeletal injuries, trauma, psychological stressors (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse), and social factors (e.g., homelessness, social isolation, disability, decreased access to medical care) that contribute to the magnitude and impact of CNCP. In the veteran population, sound theoretical models are needed to understand the specific physiological, psychological, and social factors that influence this unique experience. ⋯ The adaption of the biopsychosocial model of CNCP for veterans provides a useful and relevant conceptual framework that can be used to guide future research and improve clinical care in this vulnerable population.