Graded Chronic Pain Scale Research Articles

DEEP Study: Utility of the multidimensional pain inventory in persistent oro-facial pain.

Persistent oro-facial pain (POFP) is disabling, and patients' treatment outcomes are difficult to predict; psychosocial factors play a role. The West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) is a self-report measure, which to our knowledge, has not been studied across primary and secondary care in heterogeneous POFP. Assess the MPI's ability to predict clinical outcome in POFP patients across primary and secondary care settings receiving usual care. About 146 patients receiving usual care for POFP were recruited from primary and secondary care medical and dental practices in north-east England. Participants completed the MPI (v3) and Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) at recruitment, and after 6, 12, 18 and 24months. The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) was completed at recruitment, 12, and 24months. 'Good' and 'poor' outcome status was assigned to participants based on their mode dichotomised GCPS score across timepoints. Logistic regression was used with overall GCPS outcome (good/poor) as the dependent variable and MPI subscale scores, demographic variables, and PHQ-4 scores as predictors. 110 participants had a 'good', and 36 had a 'poor' outcome. In the 'poor' outcome group, age, mean income, and life control scores were lower; deprivation, months in pain, PHQ-4, pain severity, interference, and affective distress scores were higher. In the 'good' group, MPI scores improved over time. Interference was the only consistent predictor of 'poor' outcome in the logistic regression model (OR: 1.14-1.98, p<0.05). The MPI interference subscale may help to identify patients with POFP who are likely to have consistent pain-related disability over time; it may therefore be useful clinically to identify patients likely to need early intervention.

Assessment of a taping method combined with manual therapy as a treatment of non-specific chronic low back pain \u2013 a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundChronic low back pain is the most frequent medical problem and the condition with the most years lived with disability in Western countries. The objective of this study was to assess a new treatment, Medi-Taping, which aims at reducing complaints by treating pelvic obliquity with a combination of manual treatment of trigger points and kinesio taping in a pragmatic RCT with pilot character.MethodsOne hundred ten patients were randomized at two study centers either to Medi-Taping or to a standard treatment consisting of patient education and physiotherapy as control. Treatment duration was 3 weeks. Measures were taken at baseline, end of treatment and at follow-up after 2 months. Main outcome criteria were low back pain measured with VAS, the Chronic Pain Grade Scale (CPGS) and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ).ResultsPatients of both groups benefited from the treatment by medium to large effect sizes. All effects were pointing towards the intended direction. While Medi-Taping showed slightly better improvement rates, there were no significant differences for the primary endpoints between groups at the end of treatment (VAS: mean difference in change 0.38, 95-CI [− 0.45; 1.21] p = 0.10; ODQ 2.35 [− 0.77; 5.48] p = 0.14; CPGS − 0.19 [− 0.46; 0.08] p = 0.64) and at follow-up. Health-related quality of life was significantly higher (p = .004) in patients receiving Medi-Taping compared to controls.ConclusionsMedi-Taping, a purported way of correcting pelvic obliquity and chronic tension resulting from it, is a treatment modality similar in effectiveness to complex physiotherapy and patient education.Trial registrationThis trial was registered retrospectively on July 24th, 2019 as Number DRKS00017051 in the German Register of Clinical Trials (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien).URL of trial registry record: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00017051.

Racial Disparities in Sleep and Pain Among Individuals with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Assessed with Sleep Diary, Polysomnography, and Actigraphy

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is an idiopathic chronic pain condition and often associated with sleep disturbance. Although racial pain and sleep disparities have been observed in other pain populations, less is known about such disparities in TMD. Given that pain is strongly associated with sleep, Black individuals may experience compounded disparities involving worse pain and sleep outcomes compared to White individuals. Participants (105= White, 26 = Black) completed baseline questionnaires, including the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FOP), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep Scale (DBAS). After completing baseline questionnaires, patients completed one night of polysomnography (PSG). Participants completed a 14-day diary assessing sleep continuity which was also objectively measured via actigraphy. Sleep continuity data were aggregated as individual 14-day means. Analyses controlled for age, household income, and education. Black participants reported higher pain severity (p

Multifocal Pain as a Predictor of Pain Outcomes in Military Veterans with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Secondary Data Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

We aimed to examine 1) the relationship between multifocal pain and clinical characteristics, including demographics, pain outcomes, somatic symptoms, health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety, and 2) whether multifocal pain was independently associated with treatment response. We conducted a secondary data analysis on veterans with chronic pain enrolled in the Evaluation of Stepped Care for Chronic Pain (ESCAPE) trial with complete data at 9 months (n = 222). We examined baseline relationships and used multivariable linear regression to examine whether multifocal pain was independently associated with outcomes that included Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Interference scale and Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) scores between baseline and 9 months. The sample had a mean BPI Interference score of 5.3 ± 2.2 and a mean GCPS score of 65.6 ± 13.7, 55% had significant depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item depression scale [PHQ-9] score of ≥10), and 42% had significant anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale [GAD-7] score of ≥10). Veterans reporting three or more pain sites (the "more diffuse pain" group) had significantly less improvement on GCPS (b = 4.6, standard error [SE] = 2.3, P = 0.045), BPI Interference (b = 1.0, SE = 0.2, P = 0.0011), and health-related quality of life (Short-Form 36-item scale, Physical Component Summary) (b = 4.1, SE = 1.0, P < 0.0001) than did veterans reporting fewer than three pain sites (the "less diffuse pain" group). More diffuse pain was not associated with changes in PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scores. Multifocal pain predicted worse pain outcomes between baseline and 9 months in veterans enrolled in a trial for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Evaluation of the Arabic version of the Chronic Pain Grade scale: Psychometric properties

To increase our understanding of chronic pain in clinical and research contexts, an assessment of its dimensions using reliable and valid self-reported pain measures is imperative. However, well-validated Arabic chronic pain assessment scales are lacking. The Chronic Pain Grade (CPG) scale has been used worldwide, yet an Arabic version of the CPG scale has not yet been validated. Thus, we conducted this study to demonstrate the psychometric properties, including reliability, convergent validity, and construct validity of the Arabic CPG scale. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 233 chronic pain patients. The confirmatory factor analysis showed an excellent fit with the factor structure of the CPG scale and, thus, supported construct validity. The two identified subscales were pain intensity and pain disability. Convergent validity was supported by having significant correlations between the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and CPG subscales. Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated, as Cronbach's α was 0.916 for pain intensity and 0.815 for pain disability. This study provides evidence that the Arabic CPG scale is a reliable and valid measure of chronic pain dimensions, including pain intensity, and pain-related disability. This Arabic version of the CPG scale has the potential to expand research and clinical assessment in the Arab world. Future studies are required for further validation.

Editorial: Disseminating Knowledge About Orofacial Pain— A Huge and Important Challenge

Editorial: Disseminating Knowledge About Orofacial Pain— A Huge and Important Challenge

Cumulative Lifetime Violence Severity and Chronic Pain in a Community Sample of Canadian Men.

To create a descriptive profile of chronic pain severity in men with lifetime cumulative violence histories, as a target and/or a perpetrator, and investigate how chronic pain severity is associated with and predicted by lifetime cumulative violence severity and known determinants of chronic pain. Analysis of variance and binary logistic regression were performed on data collected in an online survey with a community convenience sample of 653 men who reported experiences of lifetime violence. The prevalence of high-intensity/ high-disability pain in men with lifetime violence was 35.8%. Total Cumulative Lifetime Violence Severity-44 (CLVS-44) scores were significantly associated with high-intensity/ high-disability chronic pain measured by the Chronic Pain Grade Scale (odds ratio= 8.40). In a model with 10 CLVS-44 subscale scores, only psychological workplace violence as a target (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]= 1.44) and lifetime family physical violence as a target (aOR= 1.42) significantly predicted chronic pain severity. In a multivariate model, chronic pain severity was predicted by CLVS-44 total score (aOR= 2.69), age (aOR= 1.02), injury with temporary impairment (aOR= 1.99), number of chronic conditions (aOR= 1.37), and depressive symptoms (aOR= 1.03). The association between lifetime cumulative violence severity and chronic pain severity in men is important new information suggesting the need for trauma- and violence-informed approaches to assessment and intervention with men. This is the first analysis using CLVS-44 subscales to understand which configurations of lifetime cumulative violence may be most predictive of chronic pain severity; further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.

Translation and Adaptation of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders into the Malay Language: Psychometric Evaluation of Contents.

To develop the Malay DC/TMD through a formal cross-cultural adaptation (CCA) process for use in non-English speaking populations and to determine the reliability and validity of the Malay Graded Chronic Pain Scale (M-GCPS) and Malay Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (M-JFLS). The English DC/TMD was translated into the Malay language using the forward-backward translation procedures specified in the INfORM guideline. The initial Malay instrument was pre-tested, and any discrepancies were identified and reconciled before producing the final Malay DC/TMD. Psychometric properties of the M-GCPS and M-JFLS were evaluated using a convenience sample of 252 subjects and were assessed using internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as face, content, concurrent, and construct validity testing. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, while test-retest reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Concurrent and construct validity of both domains were performed using Spearman ρ correlation test. In addition, construct and discriminant validity were appraised using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively. Cronbach's alpha values for the M-GCPS and M-JFLS were 0.95 and 0.97, respectively. The ICC was 0.98 for the M-GCPS and 0.99 for M-JFLS. The majority of the tested associations for both domains were found to be statistically significant, with good positive correlations. The M-GCPS and M-JFLS were found to be reproducible and valid. The Malay DC/TMD shows potential for use among Malay-speaking adults.

Pain, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Major Extremity Trauma Among United States Military Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan: Results From the Military Extremity Trauma and Amputation/Limb Salvage Study.

Assess the burden and co-occurrence of pain, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among service members who sustained a major limb injury, and examine whether these conditions are associated with functional outcomes. A retrospective cohort study. Four U.S. military treatment facilities: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Naval Medical Center San Diego. Four hundred twenty-nine United States service members who sustained a major limb injury while serving in Afghanistan or Iraq met eligibility criteria upon review of their medical records. Not applicable. Outcomes assessed were: function using the short musculoskeletal functional assessment; PTSD using the PTSD Checklist and diagnostic and statistical manual criteria; pain using the chronic pain grade scale. Military extremity trauma and amputation/limb salvage patients without pain, depression, or PTSD, were, on average, about one minimally clinically important difference (MCID) from age- and gender-adjusted population norms. In contrast, patients with low levels of pain and no depression or PTSD were, on average, one to 2 MCIDs from population norms. Military extremity trauma and amputation/limb salvage patients with either greater levels of pain, and who experience PTSD, depression, or both, were 4 to 6 MCIDs from population norms. Regression analyses adjusting for injury type (upper or lower limb, salvage or amputation, and unilateral or bilateral), age, time to interview, military rank, presence of a major upper limb injury, social support, presence of mild traumatic brain injury/concussion, and combat experiences showed that higher levels of pain, depression, and PTSD were associated with lower one-year functional outcomes. Major limb trauma sustained in the military results in significant long-term pain and PTSD. Overall, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that pain, depression, and PTSD are associated with disability in this population. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Field-testing a psychosocial assessment scoring form for TMD patients - summarizing axis II instruments

BackgroundThe etiology of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can be explained on the basis of a biopsychosocial model. However, psychosocial assessment is challenging in daily dental practice. The purpose of the current study was to field-test the practicability of a novel psychosocial assessment scoring form regarding the reliability of scoring procedures and the opinion of examiners. The working hypotheses were that the scoring results of inexperienced undergraduate students were similar to the results collected by a gold standard and that the scoring form was easy to use.MethodsA psychosocial assessment scoring form was developed in accordance with guidelines of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), including results of the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ), and Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD). Inexperienced operators (undergraduate students) examined patients with TMD-associated complaints and rated the practicability of the scoring form. The scoring results were recalculated by two experienced operators and a consensus was defined as a gold standard. Reliability coefficients were determined comparing results of the gold standard and the inexperienced operators.ResultsSixty-five examiners used the scoring form to obtain results for patients with TMD-associated complaints. Of the patients, 78.8% received a diagnosis according to DC/TMD decision trees. Two-thirds of the operators (62.9%) stated that the form was easy to complete, and 83.0% would use it in their dental practice. The reliability coefficients ranged between 0.81–1.00.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of the present study, the psychosocial assessment scoring form seems to be an easy-to-use and practicable tool. The vast majority of the inexperienced examiners recommended the application.

Relationship between pain, fatigue, and physical activity levels during a technology-based physical activity intervention

Objective: The majority of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience chronic pain. Chronic pain can be difficult to manage because of variability in the underlying pain mechanisms. More insight regarding the relationship between pain and physical activity (PA) is necessary to understand pain responses during PA. The objective of this study is to explore possible relationships between PA levels and secondary conditions including pain and fatigue. Design: Prospective cohort analysis of a pilot study. Setting: Community. Participants: Twenty individuals with SCI took part in the study, and sixteen completed the study. Interventions: Mobile-health (mHealth) based PA intervention for two-months during the three-month study. Outcome measures: Chronic Pain Grade Scale (CPGS) questionnaire, The Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and PA levels measured by the mHealth system. Results: A positive linear relationship was found between light-intensity PA and task-specific pain. However, the relationship between moderate-intensity PA and pain interference was best represented by a curvilinear relationship (polynomial regression of second order). Light-intensity PA showed positive, linear correlation with fatigue at baseline. Moderate-intensity PA was not associated with fatigue during any phase of the study. Conclusion: Our results indicated that PA was associated with chronic pain, and the relationship differed based on intensity and amount of PA performed. Further research is necessary to refine PA recommendations for individuals with SCI who experience chronic pain. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03773692.

0733 Retrospective Pain Reports In OSA Patients: Roles Of Depressive Symptoms, Polysomnographic And Self-report Sleep Measures

Abstract Introduction Exploring the relationship between OSA and pain, some studies showed hyperalgesia, and others, hypoalgesia. It was proposed that apnea-related sleep fragmentation causes hyperalgesia, and hypoxemia, hypoalgesia. However, SpO2 nadir had opposite relationships with pain measures in different studies. A 2018 review of over 1000 studies reported lack of consistent relationship between OSA and pain variables. Further, OSA was shown to relate to depressed mood, which may alter pain perception. Presently, retrospective reports of pain are analyzed as a function of polysomnographic and self-report sleep variables and depressive symptomatology in patients evaluated for OSA. Methods A total of 1,166 patients (923 women, 1136 minorities, 18-97 y.o., age M=53.1±15.2, BMI M=34.4±8.7) undergoing an overnight PSG filled out the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESDR), ISI, PSQI, ESS, and Chronic Pain Grade Scale yielding pain intensity (PI) and functional effect (FE) scores. PI and FE were separately regressed onto age, sex and BMI, followed by PSG and self-report variables meeting p&amp;lt;0.1 criterion. AHI and SpO2nadir were forced into the models. Results Mean AHI=29.6±34.7, range 0-167/hr, 72.3% had AHI≥5. Higher PI related to higher AHI (p=0.005, R2&amp;lt;1%), lower total arousal index (TAI, p=0.006, R2&amp;lt;1%), higher total sleep time (TST, p=0.003, R2&amp;lt;1%), higher PSQI (p&amp;lt;0.001, R2=5%), and higher CESD (p=0.001, R2&amp;lt;1%), without interactions with sex. Higher FE related to higher AHI (p=0.004, R2&amp;lt;1%), lower TAI (p&amp;lt;0.001, R2=1%), higher PSQI (p&amp;lt;0.001, R2=3%, and higher CESD (p&amp;lt;0.001, R2=2%). Sex had a significant interaction only with AHI (p=0.032); the FE-AHI relationship was significant in women (p=0.012), but not in men. Conclusion On retrospective reports of pain in this large sample, higher AHI related to greater pain intensity in both sexes and to greater functional effect in women only. Unexpectedly, higher pain measures were also related to lower TAI and higher TST. Higher depressive symptomatology and subjective sleep disturbance on PSQI were related to greater pain intensity and its functional effect. Only a small portion of the variance in pain measures was accounted for by PSG and self-report variables. Support none

Everyday Discrimination in Adults with Knee Pain: The Role of Perceived Stress and Pain Catastrophizing.

PurposeResearch indicates pain-related disparities in the impact of knee osteoarthritis (OA) across both sex and ethnicity/race. While several factors likely contribute to these disparities, experiences of discrimination are associated with poor OA-related pain, disability, and functional performance. However, the mechanisms that mediate experiences of discrimination and OA-related outcomes are unclear. The current cross-sectional study examined the associations between everyday experiences of discrimination and clinical pain, disability and functional performance among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) persons with or at risk of knee OA and assessed the serial mediated model of perceived stress and pain catastrophizing on these relationships in women only.Patients and MethodsParticipants were 188 community-dwelling adults who presented with unilateral or bilateral knee pain and screened positive for clinical knee pain. Participants completed several measures including experiences of discrimination, Perceived Stress Scale, Coping Strategies Questionnaire-Revised (CSQ-R): Pain Catastrophizing subscale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).ResultsAs compared to NHW participants, NHB individuals reported experiencing significantly higher levels of discrimination (F(1, 175)=26.660, p<0.001), greater levels of pain catastrophizing (F(1, 180)=12.919, p<0.001), higher levels of clinical pain and disability, and lower levels of physical function (ps<0.05). However, perceived stress was positively correlated with discrimination in the NHW group only (NHW females: r=0.40, p<0.01; NHW males: r=0.37, p<0.05). Further, perceived stress and pain catastrophizing mediated the relationship between discrimination and outcome variables (WOMAC pain, GCPS interference [pain disability], and SPPB function) in female participants after controlling for relevant sociodemographic variables (study site, age, race, income, and body mass index).ConclusionThese results may have implications for the treatment of perceived stress and catastrophizing as a means to reduce the negative impact of experiences of discrimination on the experience of chronic pain, particularly for women.

Characteristics of back pain in young adults and their relationship with dehydration: a cross sectional study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the major factors impairing the quality of life and is the most frequent cause of disability. Inadequate water intake is believed to be the predisposing factor for LBP particularly in the younger population. It is commonly seen that the incidence of LBP has been on the rise in people between 20-40 years of age. Thus, the basic aim of this study is to find a potential relationship between dehydration and LBP among young adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from the medical students and practicing doctors of 21-39 years from March-May 2019. Characteristics of pain along with the daily activities of patients were assessed. The severity was assessed by using the Graded Chronic pain scale (GCPS). Results: Out of a total of 426 participants, 84.74% had LBP. Of these, 44.3% complained of having it more than once a week, with duration usually between 1-7 days. More than half of the patients had their routines disturbed because of this pain. Most of the participants complained of an episodic increase in summers. The majority (75.9%, n=274) drank 5-9 glasses of water a day, 64.5% of them were of opinion that their daily water consumption was enough, while 61.5% felt an association between dehydration and LBP. According to the GCPS, one-third of the population had chronic pain of grade I and the other third had grade IV. Conclusion: It can be concluded that with the increase in the pace of life many individuals who belong to the above mentioned age group have a reduced intake of water, and due to a probable relationship between LBP and dehydration, this might be a reason of the increasing propensity of LBP in them. There is a need for further work in this regard.

Plasma tryptophan and kynurenine in females with temporomandibular disorders and fibromyalgia-An exploratory pilot study.

Both temporomandibular disorders myalgia (TMDM) and fibromyalgia (FM) have been linked to central and peripheral changes in serotonin availability. The precursor of serotonin, tryptophan (TRP), is mainly catabolised via another pathway to produce kynurenine (KYN), but whether changes of this pathway are present in TMDM and FM are still unclear. The aim was to explore blood plasma concentrations of TRP and KYN in TMDM and FM in an attempt to identify novel associations for future research. Plasma of 113 female participants (17 TMDM, 40 FM and 56 healthy pain-free controls) were analysed for TRP and KYN concentrations. The degradation of TRP via the KYN pathway was indicated by the KYN to TRP ratio (KYN/TRP). Pain intensities were assessed with the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Psychological symptoms were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). In TMDM there was a negative correlation between TRP and pain intensity (rs =-0.55 P=.023) and positive correlations between KYN/TRP and pain intensity (rs =0.59 P=.013). In FM, KYN/TRP was negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms (rs =-0.36 P=.022) and a trend towards significantly lower TRP levels was found compared to controls (P=.05). The association between KYN/TRP and pain intensity as well as anxiety ratings in this small exploratory study may indicate that KYN/TRP could be a relevant indicator for symptom severity in TMDM and FM. Further investigations of the KYN pathway in chronic myalgia are warranted.

Long-term Effectiveness of Occlusal Splint Therapy Compared to Placebo in Patients with Chronic Temporomandibular Disorders.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare long-term effectiveness of stabilization splint (SS) with that of placebo splint (PS) in chronic TMD patients and to investigate differences in treatment outcomes based on diagnostic subgroups [disc displacement (DD)/myofascial pain (MP)].Materials and MethodsThirty-four female participants, diagnosed with chronic TMD, were classified in groups: one provided with SS and other with PS and were followed for six months. Treatment outcomes included spontaneous pain [visual analogue scale (VAS)], self-perceived quality of life (OHIP-14), pain-free maximal mouth opening (MCO), maximal mouth opening (MMO), level of perceived stress (PSS), characteristic pain intensity [graded chronic pain scale (GCPS)], and functional jaw limitation [jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS)].ResultsBaseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05). After six months of treatment the changes in spontaneous pain and OHIP-14 scores differed significantly between treatment groups (p=0.004, p=0.02 respectively), with greater reduction in SS compared to the PS group. Pain-free maximal mouth opening did not change significantly over time, however MCO values differed significantly between the two treatment groups, with greater overall values in the SS compared to the PS group (p= 0.046), as well as between TMD subgroups, with greater overall values in MP compared to DD patients (p= 0.03). In the SS group, significant difference in JFLS categories was found between baseline and after 6 months of treatment in all except emotional and verbal expression (mastication p=0.00015; vertical jaw mobility p=0.00018). No such changes in JFLS categories were observed in the PS group.ConclusionsDuring 6-month period, SS was more effective than PS in reducing spontaneous pain and improving self-perceived quality of life and functional limitations of the lower jaw. Moreover, significantely higher values of pain-free mouth opening were observed in patients treated with stabilization splint. While placebo might be partly responsible for improving the symptoms of TMD, it seems that itcannot maintain a continual long-term positive therapeutic effect.

High baseline fat mass, but not lean tissue mass, is associated with high intensity low back pain and disability in community-based adults

ObjectivesLow back pain is the largest contributor to disability worldwide. The role of body composition as a risk factor for back pain remains unclear. Our aim was to examine the relationship between fat mass and fat distribution on back pain intensity and disability using validated tools over 3 years.MethodsParticipants (aged 25–60 years) were assessed at baseline using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to measure body composition. All participants completed the Chronic Pain Grade Scale at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Of the 150 participants, 123 (82%) completed the follow-up.ResultsHigher baseline body mass index (BMI) and fat mass (total, trunk, upper limb, lower limb, android, and gynoid) were all associated with high intensity back pain at either baseline and/or follow-up (total fat mass: multivariable OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09, p < 0.001). There were similar findings for all fat mass measures and high levels of back disability. A higher android to gynoid ratio was associated with high intensity back pain (multivariable OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.08, p = 0.009). There were no associations between lean mass and back pain.ConclusionsThis cohort study provides evidence for the important role of fat mass, specifically android fat relative to gynoid fat, on back pain and disability.

Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS): A Cross-Cultural Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese Version Study.

Objective Translated and validated outcome instruments are of great importance, since they can be used for researchers studying different populations with the same problem. The objective of the present study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) into Brazilian Portuguese. Methods The HOOS was translated from English into Brazilian Portuguese, translated back into English, and submitted to an experts committee. It was administered to 100 patients with hip osteoarthritis. The psychometric evaluation included factor analysis; internal reliability measures, test-retest reliability at 7 days, and construct validity comparison with the Brazilian version of the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS). Results Factor analyses demonstrated a five-factor solution. The test-retest reliability showed a high degree of internal consistency for the five subscales ( pain and physical difficulties , 0.97 at baseline and 0.93 at 7 days; pain and difficulty sitting, lying down and getting up , 0.93 at baseline and 0.89 at 7 days; difficulty flexing the knee , 0.92 at baseline and 0.83 at 7 days; difficulty walking , 0.88 at baseline and 0.87 at 7 days; quality of life , 0.80 at baseline and 0.35 at 7 days). The construct validity was established during the comparison of the Brazilian version of the GCPS. Conclusions A Brazilian version of the HOOS was developed with adequate reliability and validity. It will facilitate evaluation of the hip within a large patient population and across cultures.

Validation of an instrument for measuring chronic pain in nursing homes

Assessment of chronic pain is frequently done in care centers. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Chronic Pain Grade Scale (CPGS) - that measures both the intensity of chronic pain and its incapacitating effects on the everyday activities of the elderly. Cross-sectional study of 185 people with chronic pain from two nursing homes. The questionnaire was adapted by back-translation and administered as a structured interview. It was assessed for reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, convergent and divergent validity (regarding the SF-12 score) and discriminant validity. Studied variables were compared among the pain groups derived from applying the scale. The scale showed sufficient reliability (a=0.90), bidimensionality (intensity and disability), good convergent and divergent validity and sufficient discriminant validity. Elderly people in groups I and II had better physical health than those in groups III and IV, but group II people had similar mental health to those from group IV (highest/limiting disability). Males, people with no education and pensioners were more frequently classified as group IV. The Spanish version of the CPGS has proved to be valid and reliable for evaluating both intensity and disability related to chronic pain in older people living in nursing homes.

Prognostic ability of the German version of the STarT Back tool: analysis of 12-month follow-up data from a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundStratified care is an up-to-date treatment approach suggested for patients with back pain in several guidelines. A comprehensively studied stratification instrument is the STarT Back Tool (SBT). It was developed to stratify patients with back pain into three subgroups, according to their risk of persistent disabling symptoms. The primary aim was to analyse the disability differences in patients with back pain 12 months after inclusion according to the subgroups determined at baseline using the German version of the SBT (STarT-G). Moreover, the potential to improve prognosis for disability by adding further predictor variables, an analysis for differences in pain intensity according to the STarT-Classification, and discriminative ability were investigated.MethodsData from the control group of a randomized controlled trial were analysed. Trial participants were members of a private medical insurance with a minimum age of 18 and indicated as having persistent back pain. Measurements were made for the risk of back pain chronification using the STarT-G, disability (as primary outcome) and back pain intensity with the Chronic Pain Grade Scale (CPGS), health-related quality of life with the SF-12, psychological distress with the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) and physical activity. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple linear regression, and area under the curve (AUC) analysis were conducted.ResultsThe mean age of the 294 participants was 53.5 (SD 8.7) years, and 38% were female. The ANOVA for disability and pain showed significant differences (p < 0.01) among the risk groups at 12 months. Post hoc Tukey tests revealed significant differences among all three risk groups for every comparison for both outcomes. AUC for STarT-G’s ability to discriminate reference standard ‘cases’ for chronic pain status at 12 months was 0.79. A prognostic model including the STarT-Classification, the variables global health, and disability at baseline explained 45% of the variance in disability at 12 months.ConclusionsDisability differences in patients with back pain after a period of 12 months are in accordance with the subgroups determined using the STarT-G at baseline. Results should be confirmed in a study developed with the primary aim to investigate those differences.