Investigating the Burden of Chronic Pain: An Inflammatory and Metabolic Composite

Pain Res Manag. 2016:2016:7657329. doi: 10.1155/2016/7657329. Epub 2016 Jun 2.

Abstract

Background. Chronic pain is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, predominated by cardiovascular disease and cancer. Investigating related risk factor measures may elucidate the biological burden of chronic pain. Objectives. We hypothesized that chronic pain severity would be positively associated with the risk factor composite. Methods. Data from 12,982 participants in the 6th Tromsø study were analyzed. Questionnaires included demographics, health behaviors, medical comorbidities, and chronic pain symptoms. The risk factor composite was comprised of body mass index, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and triglycerides. Chronic pain severity was characterized by frequency, intensity, time/duration, and total number of pain sites. Results. Individuals with chronic pain had a greater risk factor composite than individuals without chronic pain controlling for covariates and after excluding inflammation-related health conditions (p < 0.001). A significant "dose-response" relationship was demonstrated with pain severity (p < 0.001). In individuals with chronic pain, the risk factor composite varied by health behavior, exercise, lower levels and smoking, and higher levels. Discussion. The risk factor composite was higher in individuals with chronic pain, greater with increasing pain severity, and influenced by health behaviors. Conclusions. Identification of a biological composite sensitive to pain severity and adaptive/maladaptive behaviors would have significant clinical and research utility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Chronic Pain / complications*
  • Chronic Pain / epidemiology*
  • Chronic Pain / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Metabolic Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway
  • Pain Measurement
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Triglycerides
  • Fibrinogen
  • C-Reactive Protein