Multidisciplinary Pain Center Research Articles

Promoting multidisciplinary pain management in low- and middle-income countries—challenges and achievements

Abstract The burden of pain in low- and middle income countries (LMICs) is high and expected to rise further with their ageing populations. Multidisciplinary pain management approaches based on the biopsychosocial model of pain have been shown to be effective in reducing pain-related distress and disability, but these approaches are still lacking in many LMICs due to various factors, including low levels of awareness about the role of multidisciplinary pain clinics, lack of prioritisation for pain services, and lack of healthcare professionals trained in pain management. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) has several educational programs to promote multidisciplinary pain management in LMICs, in the form of education grants, pain fellowships, pain camps and, most recently, the development of a Multidisciplinary Pain Centre Toolkit. This article describes the various educational programs, focusing on Southeast Asia, that demonstrate how targeted educational programs which include skills training, follow-up and mentorship, can translate into the formation of new multidisciplinary pain management services in settings with limited resources.

Assessment of decision-making autonomy in chronic pain patients: a pilot study

BackgroundPatient decision-making autonomy refers to the patients’ ability to freely exert their own choices and make their own decisions, given sufficient resources and information to do so. In pain medicine, it is accepted that appropriate beneficial management aims to propose an individualized treatment plan shared with the patients, as agents, to help them live as autonomously as possible with their pain. However, are patients in chronic pain centers sufficiently autonomous to participate in the therapeutic decisions that concern them? As this question still remains unanswered, a pilot study was set up to that aim.MethodsOver a 2-month period, first-time patients within a tertiary multidisciplinary pain center underwent a systematic evaluation of their autonomy using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T), considered the benchmark tool for measuring a patient’s ability to consent to treatment. Demographic data and pain characteristics of the patients were collected and their respective attending pain physicians were asked to clinically assess their patients’ degree of autonomy. Another physician, who had not participated in the initial patient evaluation, subsequently administered the MacCAT-T questionnaire to the same patients.ResultsTwenty-seven patients were included during the study period (21 women and 6 men), with an average age of 50 years. The average duration of pain was 8 years. Based on their clinical experience, the 4 different pain physicians in charge of these patients considered that out of 25 assessed patients, 22 of them (89%) had full decision-making capacity, with no deficit in autonomy. According to the MacCAT-T results, only 13 of these 25 patients (48%) had no deficit, while 7 (26%) had a major deficit in autonomy. The only patient characteristic that appeared to be related to autonomy was pain type, specifically nociplastic pain. The average time taken to complete the test was 20 min, and patients were very satisfied with the interview.ConclusionResults from the present pilot study suggest that patients suffering from chronic pain do not appear to be entirely autonomous in their decision to consent to the proposed treatment plan according to the MacCAT-T questionnaire, and physicians seem to find it difficult to properly assess this competence in a clinical setting. Further studies with larger samples are needed to better evaluate this concept to improve the complex management of these patients.

Which Patients With Chronic Pain Do The Primary Care Refers to a Tertiary Hospital in a Developing Country? Experience From a University Hospital

PurposeThe study aimed to profile patients with uncontrolled chronic pain referred from primary care to a tertiary hospital in a developing country, and identify factors associated with pain intensity, interference, and its link with mental health. DesignCross-sectional design. MethodsData from 906 adult patients with nonmalignant chronic pain during their first visit to the multidisciplinary pain center at the State University of Rio de Janeiro in 2019 were used. The brief pain inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire assessed pain intensity, its impact on daily activity, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. ResultsThe population was predominantly female (68.8%), over 50 (66.3%), with less than 11 years of education (86.5%), and 75.2% were overweight or obese. Most (81.9%) reported moderate or severe pain, significantly interfering with daily activities (>50%). The lower back was the most commonly affected site. Widespread pain was present in 43.6% of patients. High scores for anxiety (67.4%) and depression (52.2%) were observed. Severe pain was predominantly seen in middle-aged women and individuals with high levels of anxiety and depression. ConclusionPatients with uncontrolled chronic pain referred from primary care to a tertiary hospital were predominantly female, overweight or obese, and exhibited a high prevalence of depression and anxiety. Their pain significantly interfered with daily activities. Clinical ImplicationsThe study provides valuable insight into the biopsychosocial characteristics of uncontrolled chronic pain patients in primary care, emphasizing the importance of implementing multidisciplinary approaches to manage chronic pain effectively within primary care settings.

Moving forward with pain: an interview with John D Loeser.

John D Loeser speaks to Thomas York, Journal Development Editor of Pain Management. John D Loeser is Professor, emeritus, of Neurological Surgery and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Washington where he has been a faculty member since 1969. He was the Director of the Multidisciplinary Pain Center at the University of Washington from 1983 to 1997. He has been active in research, teaching and patient care in the field of Pain Management for over 45years. He was a founding member and served as president of the American Pain Society and the International Association for the Study of Pain. He has authored or co-authored over 400 peer-reviewed articles, 129 book chapters and 8 books. He is particularly interested in multidisciplinary pain management and the development of rational strategies for the treatment of patients with chronic pain.

The Effect of Family Nursing Conversations as an Add-on to Multidisciplinary Treatment in Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: A Quasi-Experimental Trial.

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a lifelong condition with radical consequences, calling for management involving patients' families. Interventions based on the family systems nursing framework by Wright and Leahey have proved beneficial in other populations but require investigation in a CNCP population. This trial assumed that family nursing conversations (FNCs) based on the family systems nursing framework would increase patients' and family members' self-efficacy concerning CNCP management. To investigate whether an intervention with FNCs as an add-on to the usual multidisciplinary treatment of CNCP would have an effect on patients' and family members' self-efficacy. Additionally, to investigate any impact on family function, health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression. The trial applied a prospective non-blinded quasi-experimental design with two comparable groups of patients and family members: a historical control group (HCG) and an intervention group (IG). The intervention was executed by nurses employed at a multidisciplinary pain center in the Capital Region of Denmark. HCG data were collected before the nurses' intervention training. The primary outcome was self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes were family function, health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression. In total, 58 patients and 85 family members were included. The primary outcome, self-efficacy, detected no statistically significant between-group differences in mean change for patients, p = .990, or family members, p = .765. A statistically significant effect in favor of the IG was found in between-group differences in mean change in patients' behavioral family function, p = .034, and anxiety, p = .031. No statistically significant between-group differences were detected in family members' secondary outcomes. The intervention had no effect on patients' or family members' self-efficacy but a positive effect on patients' behavioral family function and anxiety. The intervention was deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, any results should be interpreted with caution.

Using machine learning to classify temporomandibular disorders: a proof of concept.

the escalating influx of patients with temporomandibular disorders and the challenges associated with accurate diagnosis by non-specialized dental practitioners underscore the integration of artificial intelligence into the diagnostic process of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) as a potential solution to mitigate diagnostic disparities associated with this condition. In this study, we evaluated a machine-learning model for classifying TMDs based on the International Classification of Orofacial Pain, using structured data. Model construction was performed by the exploration of a dataset comprising patient records from the repository of the Multidisciplinary Orofacial Pain Center (CEMDOR) affiliated with the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Diagnoses of TMD were categorized following the principles established by the International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP-1). Two independent experiments were conducted using the decision tree technique to classify muscular or articular conditions. Both experiments uniformly adopted identical metrics to assess the developed model's performance and efficacy. The classification model for joint pain showed a relevant potential for general practitioners, presenting 84% accuracy and f1-score of 0.85. Thus, myofascial pain was classified with 78% accuracy and an f1-score of 0.76. Both models used from 2 to 5 clinical variables to classify orofacial pain. The use of decision tree-based machine learning holds significant support potential for TMD classification.

Use of opioids among pregnant women 1997–2016: A Danish drug utilization study

ObjectiveUse of opioids in pregnancy is of concern yet little is known on opioid prescription patterns in Denmark. The aim of this drug utilization study was to describe prescription patterns for opioids during pregnancy in Denmark from 1997 to 2016. Study designUsing the nationwide health care registers, we obtained information on all women with a registered pregnancy in the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2016. Opioids were grouped in four: opioids (N02A except codeines), opioid dependency medications (N07BC), cough medications (R05DA except codeines), and codeines (N02AJ06, N02AJ07, N02BA75, and R05DA04). We used logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with opioid use in pregnancy and cumulative oral morphine equivalent (OMEQ) to estimate volume of use in pregnancy. ResultsPrescription patterns were similar for women with live births, non-live births, and terminations. Total use of opioids among women with live born deliveries remained stable at 19.8 per 1000 pregnancies from 1997 to 2016. Codeine use declined from 2008 onwards, while use of other opioids increased from 2007 onwards. This was dominated by a threefold increase in tramadol use (2.0–7.6 per 1000 pregnancies with live births). Codeine was the most used opioid, followed by tramadol and codeine combined with paracetamol. The number of women, who used opioids before pregnancy and continued into their pregnancy, was reduced as the pregnancy progressed. The cumulative oral morphine equivalent during pregnancy was stable until 2007, after which, use prior to pregnancy and during the first two trimesters increased. The odds ratios for opioid use were higher in pregnancies of women of lower socioeconomic status or older age. For live births, odds ratios for opioid use in pregnancy were higher among women with obesity or smoking. ConclusionsOverall use of opioids was stable from 2007 to 2016. This covers a decline in the use of codeine, but a 3-fold increase in tramadol. The number of pregnant women who continued use throughout pregnancy decreased, while OMEQ among persistent users increased. The real-world data suggest an unmet need of specific focus in local Danish Outpatient Clinics and Multidisciplinary Pain Centers both pre-conceptionally and during pregnancy.

Identifying pain problems, healthcare professional perceptions, expectations and challenges in multidisciplinary pain center establishment.

Aim: Before establishing a multidisciplinary pain center (MPC), the pain problem, healthcare professionals (HCP) perceptions, expectations and the potential challenges of multidisciplinary pain center establishment need to be identified. Methods: A quantitative survey study on 1058 Indonesian HCP. The study uses a national inquiry sent by the national International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)chapter for pain. Results: 99.0% of respondents had met patients with pain as the primary complaint and acute pain as the most common complaint. Insufficient pain management in Indonesian healthcare, insufficient pain epidemiological data, and unaware HCP about MPC become problems of pain management in Indonesia. However, most HCP agreed that health facilities should have MPC. Financial issues (insufficient patient insurance) were considered the most important barrier for referring patients to MPC. Conclusion: The identified core problem, HCP perceptions, expectations and challenges of MPC establishment should become a consideration in the strategic planning of MPC establishment.

Evaluation of functionality and socioeconomic status of patients with chronic pain.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chronic pain on functionality and its consequences on work and patient income. A total of 103 patients from the Multidisciplinary Pain Center of the Clinics Hospital of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais were interviewed between January 2020 and June 2021, applying questionnaires on mobile devices. Socioeconomic data, multidimensional characterization of pain, and instruments for assessing pain functionality and intensity were analyzed. Pain intensity was categorized as mild, moderate, or intense for comparative analysis. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify risk factors and variables that jointly influence the outcome of pain intensity. The patients had a median age of 55 years, were predominantly female, married or in a stable relationship, white race, and completed high school. The median family income was R$2,200. Most patients were retired due to disability and pain-related causes. Functionality analysis showed severe disability directly associated with pain intensity. The financial impacts observed were correlated with the pain intensity of the patients. Age was a risk factor for pain intensity, while sex, family income, and duration of pain served as protective factors. Chronic pain was associated with severe disability, decreased productivity, and exit from the labor market, with a negative impact on financial condition. Age, sex, family income, and duration of pain were directly associated with pain intensity.

Spontaneous tensor fascia lata abscess caused by Parvimonas micra presenting as lateral hip pain.

Dear Editor, Parvimonas micra is a gram-positive obligate anaerobic bacterial species and known flora of the human oral cavity, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, and the female genitourinary tract.[1,2] It was originally identified in 1933 as Peptostreptococcus micros, underwent a reclassification in 1999 to Micromonas micros and ultimately was reclassified as P. micra in 2006.[1,3]Parvimonas micra has been implemented as an infectious organism in case reports of spondylodiscitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, iliopsoas abscess, hepatic abscess, endocarditis, empyema, meningitis, brain abscess and septic arthritis.[1–3] Although multiple areas of infection by P. micra have been described, tensor fascia lata infection has not been described.[4] A patient with no significant past medical history presented to our outpatient multidisciplinary pain center complaining of left hip pain. He was seen in the emergency department the day prior. X-ray of the hip was performed which did not reveal any acute pathology. His pain had been present for one week and had been worsening in intensity. He did not describe any radiation of the pain to the lower legs and denied any recent trauma to the area. He described swelling and fullness of the hip worsened with movement and relieved by rest. His physical examination was only positive for tenderness of palpation over the left greater trochanter. Due to a presumed diagnosis of greater trochanteric bursitis, conservative measures were pursued. He was prescribed naproxen 500 mg twice a day as needed, tizanidine 2 mg three times per day as needed, topical EMLA to the painful area. He was also instructed to start physical therapy and was provided a referral for the same. He was discharged from the emergency department after this visit. Nearly two weeks later, the patient presented to the emergency department with left thigh erythema and swelling. His laboratory work was significant for ESR of 115 and CRP of 16, white counts were 8.2. On exam, in the ED, he was afebrile and physical exam was positive for erythema, tenderness to palpation over the left thigh. Several pustules overlying the area along with areas of induration and fluctuance were noted. A CT with contrast of the left hip was performed which demonstrated a 20 × 10 × 6.5 cm rim enhancing fluid collection in the proximal lateral left thigh/gluteal region abutting and extending along the fascia lata of the thigh, dissecting into the substance of the tensor fasciae lata muscle and extending into the deep subcutaneous tissues [Figure 1]. The patient was started on broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and scheduled for incision and drainage in the operating room by general surgery. Drains were placed and the wound closed by secondary intention. Cultures from the operating room (anaerobic- tissue and abscess) yielded P. micra. Repeat blood cultures were negative at 5 days. The patient was kept on vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam for 3 days and transitioned to oral trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole at discharge.Figure 1: Coronal view of left thigh CT demonstrating abscessThis case represents an unusual occurrence of P. micra abscess requiring prompt recognition of the abscess and prudent microbial identification. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest Dr. Shaparin reports the following disclosures outside the submitted manuscript; he was a consultant for Averitas Pharma and AcelRx Pharmaceuticals and has received research grant funding from Grunenthal and Heron Therapeutics. Dr. Koushik has served as a consultant for AcelRx Pharmaceuticals.

Long-Term Evaluation of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy: An Eight-to-Ten–Year Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDPN). Materials and MethodsThis prospective cohort study was the eight-to-ten–year follow-up of a previously performed pilot and randomized controlled trial on the effects of SCS in PDPN, initiated by the multidisciplinary pain center of Maastricht University Medical Center+. The study population consisted of a subgroup of patients who still used SCS treatment ≥ eight years after implantation (n = 19). Pain intensity scores (numeric rating scale [NRS]) during the day and night and data on secondary outcomes (ie, quality of life, depression, sleep quality) were reported during yearly follow-up consultations. Long-term efficacy of SCS was analyzed by comparing the most recently obtained data eight to ten years after implantation with those obtained at baseline. ResultsPain intensity, day and night, was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced by 2.3 (NRS 6.6–4.3) and 2.2 (NRS 6.8–4.6) points, respectively, when comparing the long-term data with baseline. Moreover, for > 50% of patients, the pain reduction was > 30%, which is considered clinically meaningful. No differences were found regarding the secondary outcomes. ConclusionThis eight-to-ten–year follow-up study indicates that SCS can remain an effective treatment in the long term to reduce pain intensity in a subcohort of patients with PDPN who still had an SCS device implanted after eight years.

The treatment lottery of chronic back pain? A case series at a multidisciplinary pain centre.

Despite the number of people affected by chronic back pain, and the many available treatment options, even the best modalities provide limited pain reduction on a group level, often without simultaneous improvements in functioning or health-related quality of life. The objective was to provide an overview of the treatment of chronic back pain in clinical practice at a multidisciplinary pain centre, and to study patient and pain characteristics in different treatment groups. 104 chronic back pain patients (primary ICD-10-SE-diagnosis M53.0-M54.9 excluding M54.1 and M54.3), referred to the Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, University Hospital, Linköping in 2015, were studied using data from the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation, self-reported medication data, and a retrospective medical record review. The following treatment groups were identified: rehabilitation (n=21), analgesics (n=33), invasive intervention (n=14), and no treatment (n=35). Significant differences between groups were found with regards to age, sick leave, education level, persisting pain duration, punishing responses by significant other, previous invasive intervention, receiving sub-clinic, physician speciality and referring care level. Overall, patient demographics were associated with treatment strategy to a higher degree than patient-reported outcome measures. Moreover, physician speciality and organisational factors seemed to play a role in treatment choice.

U-PAIN cohort study among patients with chronic pain in specialised pain care: a feasibility study

ObjectivesTo examine acceptability of study participation and feasibility of (1) recruitment, (2) data collection and (3) outcome measures for the prospective U-PAIN cohort.DesignInternal feasibility study of a prospective cohort.Participants and...

Swedish Chronic Pain Biobank: protocol for a multicentre registry and biomarker project

IntroductionAbout 20% of the adult population have chronic pain, often associated with psychological distress, sick leave and poor health. There are large variations in the clinical picture. A biopsychosocial approach...

Chronic pain patients in the Brazilian private healthcare system: a claim database study with the experts’ perspective

Objective: This study aimed to describe the demands and costs from chronic pain patients over the private Brazilian healthcare system. Methods: This was a retrospective claim database study to assess the resource utilization of pain patients in the private setting. We used a four-year follow-up period to assess inpatient, outpatient, and procedures reported. Further, we promoted a forum of discussion with five pain experts and healthcare managers to address the management of chronic pain and assistance models.Results: We identified 79,689 patients with chronic pain. The orthopedist was the main medical specialist consulted with a total number of 38,879 visits performed. The ophthalmologist, cardiologist, gynecologist, and general practitioner were also frequently consulted (rheumatologist was seldom consulted). Among non-medical specialists, the physical therapist was consulted 87,574 times by 12,342 patients (15% of the entire cohort), Among chronic pain patients, 96% performed at least one exam and 86% of the patients presented at least one ER visit during the follow-up period. In 4 years, we estimate that pain patients costed more than 3 billion reais to the private health care system. According to the experts’ opinions, a fragmented healthcare system and the lack of patient centered interdisciplinary approaches contributes to a high ineffective pain management leading to a high use of resources. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to change the chronic pain care model in the Brazilian private setting. Qualification in pain management, a multidisciplinary patient centered care, integrated approaches, pain centers, and patients’ education may help changing this scenario.

Possible Contribution of Meaning in Life in Patients With Chronic Pain and Suicidal Ideation: Observational Study.

BackgroundChronic pain is associated with an elevated risk of suicidal ideation (SI).ObjectiveWe aimed to examine if the presence or the search for Meaning in Life (MiL) are associated with less SI and explore whether MiL profiles emerge in our cohort. These profiles can be described as high presence–high search, high presence–low search, low presence–low search, and low presence–high search.MethodsIn this observational study, we recruited 70 patients who were referred to the Multidisciplinary Pain Center of the Geneva University Hospitals and who answered positively to question 9 on the Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Edition, investigating SI. Patients who agreed to participate in the study were further investigated; they participated in a structured diagnostic interview to screen for psychiatric diagnoses. During this interview, they completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire and the semistructured Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) to assess the characteristics and severity of SI.ResultsThere was a statistically significant correlation between the presence of MiL subscale and the SSI. These 2 scales had a negative and statistically highly significant correlation (R=–.667; P<.001). The results also showed a negative and statistically highly significant correlation between the score of the search for MiL and the SSI (R=–.456; P<.001). The results thus pointed to the presence of MiL as a potential protective factor against the severity of SI, while the search for MiL is also a possible resiliency factor, although to a lesser extent. The profile low presence–low search grouped the vast majority (47%) of the patients; in these patients, the mean SSI score was 14.36 (SD 5.86), much higher compared with that of the other subgroups.ConclusionsThis study’s results point to MiL as a concept of interest regarding devising psychotherapeutic interventions for chronic pain patients in order to reduce the suicidal risk and more accurately determine patients’ suffering.

Long-Term Outcome in Patients With Spinal Cord Stimulation for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A 20-Year Audit of a Single Center

Study DesignThis is a retrospective, observational study. IntroductionSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) has found its application in chronic pain treatment, with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) as one of the most important indications. However, to date, little is known about the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. The aim of this study is to analyze retrospectively the long-term outcomes of SCS treatment in a single multidisciplinary pain center on predominant radicular pain, using devices of a single manufacturer. Materials and MethodsPatient data on overall patient satisfaction, pain intensity, and adverse events were retrospectively collected in our clinical practice between January 1998 and January 2018, for 191 patients who received a permanent SCS implant. Secondary health measures included the influence of opioid and nicotine use on pain reduction after therapy. ResultsThe trial-to-implant ratio was 93.6%. At a mean follow-up of 10.6 years, 78.5% of the patients were satisfied with the treatment outcome, with a significant pain reduction of an average three points on a Numeric Rating Scale. Opioid and nicotine usage did not have a significant link with the pain reduction one year after the treatment. Furthermore, devices had an average battery lifespan of 8.4 years. A total of 248 revisions were recorded. A total of 24 patients (11.7%) acquired an infection; 7 of 204 patients had an infection during the trial period, 2 of 191 patients had an infection in the first postoperative year, and 15 of 191 patients had an infection after the first year. The average time to infection, if not in the first year, was 10.1 years. ConclusionsA successful long-term outcome regarding pain relief in patients with predominant radicular pain due to FBSS is established with SCS therapy.

Guided self-determination in treatment of chronic pain- a randomized, controlled trial.

To test whether Guided Self-Determination (GSD) used in chronic pain management could improve the health-related quality of life, patient activation and sense of coherence (SoC) as a measurement of life skills in patients with chronic pain. The method has been shown to be effective in other chronic conditions, but has not been tested in chronic pain. A three-site randomised, controlled trial at three major multidisciplinary pain centres in Denmark. 200 patients were included and randomised. In the intervention period, both groups had regular visits to the pain centre with both doctors and nurses. The intervention group additionally received the GSD intervention with weekly sessions for eight weeks. Data were collected from February 2013 to July 2016 and consisted of three questionnaires answered before and after the 8-week intervention period, and after six months. The primary outcome was self-reported health related quality of life. Secondary outcomes included self-reported activation and SoC. We found no clinically relevant difference between the groups for health-related quality of life, patient activation or SoC at either baseline, at three months or at six months. We also analysed data for trends over time using mixed model analysis, and this did not show any significant differences between groups. GSD did not improve health-related quality of life, patient activation or SoC when administered to patients with chronic pain treated in a multidisciplinary pain centre. New research is recommended using a combination of self-reported and objective measures and longer follow-up.

Meaning in Life Among Patients With Chronic Pain and Suicidal Ideation: Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundPatients with chronic pain have elevated risk of suicidal ideation and behavior, including suicide attempts and completed suicides. In most studies, associations between chronic pain and suicidal ideation/suicidal behavior are robust even after adjusting for the effect of sociodemographics and psychiatric comorbidity. However, to refine the risk profile of these patients, further exploration of other possible risk and protective factors is necessary.ObjectiveThere is a common clinical observation that experiencing chronic pain often requires a revision of life goals and expectations, and hence, it impacts the existential domain including one’s perception of the meaning in life (MiL). This study aimed to characterize the main domains that constitute the personal MiL, including the “presence of” and “search for” constructs, in a group of patients with chronic pain and suicidal ideation.MethodsSeventy participants were enlisted by ongoing recruitment through a larger project anchored in daily clinical practice at the Multidisciplinary Pain Center of the Geneva University Hospitals. It was an observational mixed method study. Data were recorded through both validated quantitative questionnaires and qualitative open-ended questions.ResultsThe total sample consisted of 70 patients. Responses to questionnaires showed a depressive episode in 68 (97%) patients and anxious disorders in 25 (36%) patients. With a score threshold for positive MiL of 24, the mean score for the “presence of” construct was 20.13 (SD 8.23), and 63% (44/70) of respondents had a score <24. The mean score for the “search for” construct was lower at 18.14 (SD 8.64), and 70% (49/70) of respondents had a score <24. The “presence of” and “search for” constructs were significantly positively correlated (R=0.402; P=.001). An open question addressed the “presence of” construct by inviting the respondents to cite domains they consider as providing meaning in their life at the present time. All patients responded to this question, citing one or more domains. The three main dimensions that emerged from content analysis of this qualitative section were as follows: the domain of relationships, the domain of personal activities, and pain and its consequences on MiL.ConclusionsThe study results provide insights into patients with chronic pain and suicidal ideation, including the domains that provide them with meaning in their lives and the impact of pain on these domains with regard to suicidal ideation. The main clinical implications concern both prevention and supportive/psychotherapeutic interventions. They are based on a narrative approach aiming to explore with the patients the content of their suffering and the MiL domains that they could identify to mitigate it, in order to restructure/reinforce these domains and thus possibly reduce suicidal ideation. Specifically, a focus on maintaining the domains of interpersonal relationships and personal activities can allow patients to ultimately escape the biopsychosocial vicious cycle of chronic pain–induced deep moral suffering.

An Update on Resources, Procedures and Healthcare Provision in Pain Units: A Survey of Spanish Practitioners.

Multidisciplinary pain treatment units are recommended to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain, a complex clinical syndrome and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The objective of this study was to provide updated results on the situation of pain treatment units in Spain and to determine compliance with recommendations proposed by de Spanish Ministry of Health (SMH). A cross-sectional, prospective, multicenter survey was performed, collecting data on resources, procedures and healthcare provision. Between March and May 2019, the Spanish Pain Society sent an invitation letter to 183 pain units with a link to the questionnaire. Sixty-nine units from 13 regions agreed to participate. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain criteria, only 12 units were classified as multidisciplinary pain centers. Most (95.7%) were in hospitals, 82.6% from the public sector, and 46.4% had protocols to coordinate with primary care. Interviewees rated the adequacy of facilities at 6.3 (from 0 to 10). Moreover, 67% of interviewees found that there were insufficient staff, with no mental health professionals, physical therapists or social workers in 49.3%, 87.0% and 97.1% units, respectively. Only 24 pain units had a day hospital, 44.9% offered psychological interventions, and 79.7% supported teaching and research activities. Results suggest that a small proportion of Spanish pain units meet the national standards for multidisciplinary pain units proposed by the SMH.