Correlation between NARX Score and Food Addictive Behavioral Patterns in Chronic Pain Patients

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to show a relationship between food addiction patterns to different types of food in chronic pain patients and the effectiveness of NARX score (overdose risk score) in predicting high risk factors in such patients. We implemented a cross sectional study design and used an eight-question survey that addressed addictive behavior and food choice relative to chocolate, cheese, meat and other foods. For the 110 respondents, the average NARX score was 383.5 and the median was 380; the high was 740 and the low was 80. The results of the 818 answers received (some of the respondents did not answer all eight questions) showed a strong correlation between food addictive behavioral patterns in chronic pain patients and high risk factors in chronic pain patients as manifested and measured by the NARX score. The three foods that were reported most frequently were chocolate, cheese and meat (this result correlates with previous research findings). Interestingly, meat was associated with the highest NARX score (the highest risk) chronic pain patients. Other foods reported with high frequency were coffee, sodas and sweets, underscoring the role of sugar in chronic pain syndromes. The objective of this study is to show possible role of dietary factors and food addiction in the development of addictive behaviors and possibly in the development of the opioid epidemic.We advocate further clinical studies.