Dataset Information

Sex differences in pain catastrophizing and its relation to the transition from acute pain to chronic pain.

ABSTRACT:

Background and importance

Differences exist between sexes in pain and pain-related outcomes, such as development of chronic pain. Previous studies suggested a higher risk for pain chronification in female patients. Furthermore, pain catastrophizing is an important risk factor for chronification of pain. However, it is unclear whether sex differences in catastrophic thinking could explain the sex differences in pain chronification.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in pain catastrophizing. Additionally, we investigated pain catastrophizing as a potential mediator of sex differences in the transition of acute to chronic pain.

Design, settings and participants

Adults visiting one of the 15 participating emergency departments in the Netherlands with acute pain-related complaints. Subjects had to meet inclusion criteria and complete questionnaires about their health and pain.

Outcomes measure and analysis

The outcomes in this prospective cohort study were pain catastrophizing (short form pain catastrophizing) and pain chronification at 90 days (Numeric Rating Scale ≥ 1). Data was analysed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Finally, stratified regression analyses were conducted to assess whether differences in pain catastrophizing accounted for observed differences in pain chronification between sexes.

Main results

In total 1,906 patients were included. Females catastrophized pain significantly more than males (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses suggested that pain catastrophizing is associated with pain chronification in both sexes.

Conclusions

This study reported differences between sexes in catastrophic cognitions in the development of chronic pain. This is possibly of clinical importance to identify high-risk patients and ensure an early intervention to prevent the transition from acute to chronic pain.

SUBMITTER: Le LHL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10985981 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Sex differences in pain catastrophizing and its relation to the transition from acute pain to chronic pain.

Le Linh H L LHL Brown Vanessa A V VAV Mol Sander S Azijli Kaoutar K Kuijper Martijn M MM Becker Leonie L Koopman Seppe S H A SSHA

BMC anesthesiology 20240402 1

<h4>Background and importance</h4>Differences exist between sexes in pain and pain-related outcomes, such as development of chronic pain. Previous studies suggested a higher risk for pain chronification in female patients. Furthermore, pain catastrophizing is an important risk factor for chronification of pain. However, it is unclear whether sex differences in catastrophic thinking could explain the sex differences in pain chronification.<h4>Objectives</h4>The aim of this study was to examine se ...[more]

PMID: 38566044

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Project description:Objective Robust evidence suggests children's catastrophizing about their own pain is a risk factor for poor child pain-related outcomes. In children of parents with chronic pain, child catastrophizing about their parents' pain might be a unique predictor of child pain-related outcomes given their increased exposure to parental chronic pain and disability. The objective of this study was to examine associations between child and parent catastrophizing about their own and each other's pain and child and parent pain-related outcomes. Methods Seventy-two parents with chronic pain and their children (ages 8-15) completed questionnaires assessing their trait catastrophizing about their own and each other's pain, their own pain, and the child's internalizing symptoms. Children completed the cold pressor task (CPT) in the presence of their parent. Parents and children rated children's worst pain intensity and their own anxiety during the task. Analyses were guided by the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Results Greater child catastrophizing about parent pain was associated with children's and parents' increased catastrophizing about their own pain. Child catastrophizing about parent pain was associated with greater child- and parent-reported child internalizing symptoms and greater CPT pain intensity for the child, but not parent/child usual pain or CPT anxiety, over and above the influence of parent and child catastrophizing about their own pain. Conclusions Child catastrophizing about parent pain is a potential vulnerability factor associated with poor pain-related outcomes in children of parents with chronic pain that should be considered in future research and clinical settings. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Higher rates of pain and internalizing symptoms are observed in offspring of parents with vs. without chronic pain. Greater child and parent pain catastrophizing are associated with poorer pain-related outcomes in children. Child catastrophizing about parent chronic pain and its association with child outcomes has not been examined. What does this study add? Greater child catastrophizing about parent chronic pain is associated with greater child internalizing and CPT pain. These effects were seen beyond the association of child and parent catastrophizing about their own pain.

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Dataset Information

Sex differences in pain catastrophizing and its relation to the transition from acute pain to chronic pain.

Background and importance

Objectives

Design, settings and participants

Outcomes measure and analysis

Main results

Conclusions

Publications

Sex differences in pain catastrophizing and its relation to the transition from acute pain to chronic pain.

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