Articles: chronic-pain.
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Arthritis care & research · Aug 2012
Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system and its association with the presence and intensity of chronic widespread pain.
To test the hypotheses that dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is associated with the presence of chronic widespread pain (CWP), and that dysregulation of the ANS is associated with higher pain intensity in CWP. ⋯ Lower parasympathetic activity, as assessed with SDNN and RSA, is associated with higher pain intensity in subjects with CWP. This large and well-controlled study does not provide evidence for an association between dysregulation of the ANS and the presence of CWP.
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The primary aim of this study was to determine the effects of spouse or significant other solicitous responses on morphine equivalent dose among adults with chronic pain. ⋯ These findings suggest solicitous responses from a spouse or significant other may have an important influence on opioid dose among adults with chronic pain.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2012
Prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with chronic pain with and without neuropathic characteristics in São Luís, Brazil.
Chronic pain (CP) with and without neuropathic characteristics is a public health problem. This is the first population-based study in South America, and the third in the world, to use the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) tool in epidemiologic studies. ⋯ CP with and without neuropathic characteristics is a public health problem in Brazil, with high prevalence and great influence on people's daily lives.
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Chronic pain is pathological, persisting beyond normal tissue healing time. Previous work has suggested ∼50% variation in chronic pain development is heritable. No data are currently available on the heritability of pain categorized using the Chronic Pain Grade (CPG). ⋯ After adjustment, 'any chronic pain' h(2) = 16% (SE 7%; p = 0.02) and 'severe' chronic pain h(2) = 30% (SE 13%; p = 0.007). Co-heritability of both traits was 11% (SE 76%). This study supports the use of chronic pain as a phenotype in genetic studies, with adequate correction for confounders to specifically identify genetic risk factors for chronic pain.
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Patients with chronic non-cancer pain not only show reduced quality of life, but also chronic morbidity and increased mortality. However, little is known about prevalence and type of abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings in these individuals. ⋯ The prevalence of abnormal ECG recordings should be considered in the pain management of these patients. General ECG screening in this population should be discussed. Future studies should examine a larger population to identify potential risk factors (e.g., medication).