The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society
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This study investigated the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage, measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and pain-related variables in a pain psychology clinic. We also examined the sequential mediating roles of pain catastrophizing and pain-related fear on these relationships. Participants (N = 509) completed questionnaires assessing usual pain intensity, fatigue, emotional distress, and interference with daily activities. ⋯ These findings underscore that neighborhood disadvantage is associated with worse pain-related experiences and highlight the importance of considering neighborhood factors in chronic pain management. PERSPECTIVE: This study identifies potential pathways linking neighborhood disadvantage to chronic pain variables, highlighting the roles of pain catastrophizing and pain-related fear. The findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to pain management that recognizes both individual cognitive-emotional factors and the broader social context in which pain occurs.
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In the Thermal Grill Illusion (TGI), the spatial alternation of non-noxious warm and cool temperatures elicits burning sensations that resemble the presence of noxious stimuli. Previous research has largely relied on the use of specific temperature values (i.e., 20 °C and 40 °C) to study this phenomenon in both healthy individuals and patient populations. However, this methodology fails to account for inter-individual differences in thermal sensitivity, limiting the precision with which TGI responses can be evaluated across diverse populations. ⋯ The 2D-TGC offers a comprehensive approach to investigate the TGI across populations with altered thermal sensitivity, and can be integrated with other methods (e.g., neuroimaging) to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for perceptual illusions in the thermo-nociceptive system. PERSPECTIVE: This study reveals that the Thermal Grill Illusion can be accurately measured using psychophysical methods. The innovative Two-Dimensional Thermal Grill Calibration protocol allows for personalized temperature assessments, enhancing our understanding of thermal sensitivity variations and perceptual illusions in the thermo-nociceptive system across different populations.
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Untreated or undertreated pain is well established as a significant problem, but unidentified pain is a distinct construct that still needs to be clearly modeled or fully described. This paper aims to develop a conceptual model of unidentified pain in humans with the goal of future development of an unidentified pain risk tool. A multi-phase process was employed consisting sequentially of 1) brainstorming followed by consensus building, 2) peer-review and publication of an integrative theoretical review protocol for "unidentified pain," 3) conduct of the integrative review, and 4) a repeated brainstorming session to identify areas of risk for unidentified pain to produce a conceptual model. ⋯ The development of this conceptual model will be used for future development and psychometric testing of a tool to recognize the risk for unidentified pain in humans. PERSPECTIVE: This focus article describes the development a conceptual model for the concept of unidentified pain in humans. This pain may occur in individuals who experience one or more interactive and cumulative hazards: cognition/communication problems, being alone, absence of a surrogate/proxy report, or presence of known painful conditions or treatments.
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Recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis (RAP, CP) are complex, progressive inflammatory diseases with variable pain experiences impacting patient function and quality of life. The genetic variants and pain pathways in patients contributing to most severe pain experiences are unknown. We used previously genotyped individuals with RAP/CP from the North American Pancreatitis Study II (NAPS2) of European Ancestry for nested genome-wide associated study (GWAS) for pain-severity, chronicity, or both. ⋯ The implications for treating pancreatic pain are great in that we can no longer focus on just the pancreas. Furthermore, new treatments designed for pain disorders in other tissues may be effective in some patient with pain syndromes from the pancreas. Further research is needed to replicate and extend these observations so that new, genetics-guided rational treatments can be developed and delivered.
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Previous work suggests that HIV stigma is associated with greater pain severity. We sought to characterize this relationship by examining intersectional identities that tend to be stigmatized (i.e., gender; sexual orientation) in two cross-sectional studies of people with HIV (PWH). In Study 1 (N = 840), participants responded to the Enacted Stigma Scale and the Brief Pain Inventory. ⋯ PERSPECTIVE: Among people with HIV (PWH), there is a positive relationship between enacted stigma and pain. This relationship between stigma and pain should be studied among other intersectional groups including gay men and women of color. PWH should be provided with supportive care for both physical and psychosocial symptoms.