Pain In Veterans Research Articles

Photobiomodulation Therapy Plus Usual Care Is Better than Usual Care Alone for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Plantar fasciitis (PF) results in pain-related disability and excessive healthcare costs. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has shown promise for decreasing both pain and disability related to PF. The purpose was to assess the clinical impact of PBMT on pain and function in people with PF. Prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. A convenience sample of adults with PF were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) usual care, (2) usual care plus nine doses of PBMT with 25W output power over three weeks, or (3) usual care plus nine doses of PBMT with 10W output power over three weeks. Both 10W and 25W PBMT participants received the same total dose (10J/cm2) by utilizing a simple area equation. Pain (with Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale) and function (by Foot and Ankle Ability Measure) were measured at baseline, weeks 3, and 6 for all groups, and at 13 and 26 weeks for PBMT groups. PBMT groups experienced a reduction in pain over the first three weeks (from an average of 4.5 to 2.8) after which their pain levels remained mostly constant, while the UC group experienced a smaller reduction in pain (from an average of 4 to 3.8). The effects on pain were not different between PBMT groups. PBMT in both treatment groups also improved function more than the UC group, again with the improvement occurring within the first three weeks. Pain and function improved during the three weeks of PBMT plus UC and remained stable over the following three weeks. Improvements sustained through six months in the PBMT plus UC groups. Level II- RCT or Prospective Comparative Study.

A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy under Spinal Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

Abstract Background: Postoperative discomfort after a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) is severe. The Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is the latest addition to the multimodal pain management regimen, providing both visceral and somatic analgesia. Aim: The aim of this study was assessed the postoperative analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB for TAH. Materials and Methods: 70 female patients aged 40 to 60 years, American society of anaesthesiology (ASA) physical status class I and II posted for TAH were enrolled. Group ESPB+SA(n=35) received bilateral ESPB using 0.25% ropivacaine hydrochloride 15ml with 0.5µ/kg dexmedetomidine on each side before spinal anaesthesia, while group SA (n=35) received only spinal anaesthesia. Postoperative follow-up for 24 hours.Statistical analysis used: Independent-samples student t-test. Results: The total dose of tramadol injection consumed in the first 24 hours postoperatively in group ESPB+SA was significantly low (110.34mg) as compared to group SA (334.29mg) (P < 0.001). Time for first rescue analgesia was prolonged significantly in group ESPB+SA while it was very short in Group SA(P < 0.001). Postoperatively the mean modified defense and veterans pain rating scale (DVPRS) for pain was lower in group ESPB+SA than in group SA, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Similarly, scores for other modified DVPRS components, such as sleep, activity, mood and stress were lower in the ESPB+SA group. Conclusions: Bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB prior to spinal anaesthesia offers effective and prolonged postoperative analgesia, with significantly lower postoperative tramadol use and a higher satisfaction score in patients undergoing TAH under spinal anaesthesia.

Prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain among military veterans: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

IntroductionChronic non-cancer pain is common among military veterans; however, the prevalence is uncertain. This information gap complicates policy decisions and resource planning to ensure veterans have access to healthcare services...

Patterns of Opioid Prescriptions in the Veterans Health Administration for Patients With Chronic Low-Back Pain After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic led to severe disruptions in health care and a relaxation of rules surrounding opioid prescribing—changes which led to concerns about increased reliance on opioids for chronic pain and a resurgence of opioid-related harms. Although some studies found that opioid prescriptions increased in the first 6 months of the pandemic, we know little about the longer-term effects of the pandemic on opioid prescriptions. Further, despite the prevalence of pain in veterans, we know little about patterns of opioid prescriptions in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) associated with the pandemic. Using a retrospective cohort of VA patients with chronic low-back pain, we examined the proportion of patients with an opioid prescription and mean morphine milligram equivalents over a 3-year period—1 year prior to and 2 years after the pandemic’s onset. Analyses revealed that both measures fell during the entire observation period. The largest decrease in the odds of filling an opioid prescription occurred in the first quarter of the pandemic, but this downward trend continued throughout the observation period, albeit at a slower pace. Clinically meaningful differences in opioid prescriptions and dose over time did not emerge based on patient race or rurality; however, differences emerged between female and male veterans, with decreases in opioid prescriptions slowing more markedly for women after the pandemic onset. These findings suggest that the pandemic was not associated with short- or long-term increases in opioid prescriptions or doses in the VA. PerspectiveThis article examines opioid prescribing over a 3-year period—1 year prior to and 2 years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—for VA patients with chronic low-back pain. Results indicate that, despite disruptions to health care, opioid prescriptions and doses decreased over the entire observation period.

Comprehensive Caregiver Supports and Ascertainment and Treatment of Veteran Pain.

Disabled Veterans commonly experience pain. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) provides training, a stipend, and services to family caregivers of eligible Veterans to support their caregiving role. We compared ascertainment of veteran pain and pain treatment through health care encounters and medications (pain indicators) of participants (treated group) and non-participants (comparison group) using inverse probability treatment weights. Modeled results show that the proportion of Veterans with a pain indicator in the first year post-application was higher than that pre-application for both groups. However, the proportion of Veterans with a pain indicator was substantially higher in the treatment group: 76.1% versus 63.9% in the comparison group (p < .001). Over time, the proportion of Veterans with any pain indicator fell and group differences lessened. However, differences persisted through 8 years post-application (p < .001). PCAFC caregivers appear to help Veterans engage in pain treatment at higher rates than caregivers not in PCAFC.

Sleep and Pain in Veterans with Chronic Pain: Effects of Psychological Pain Treatment and Temporal Associations.

Chronic pain is highly prevalent in US military Veterans. Non-opioid and non-pharmacologic treatments are recommended when clinically appropriate, but research on the mechanisms underlying benefits of these treatments is lacking. Here, we examined the role of sleep in the effects of three non-pharmacologic pain treatments in Veterans. Specifically, we investigated whether treatment effects on sleep predicted treatment effects on pain occurring later, or vice versa. Veterans enrolled in a randomized controlled trial were invited to participate in this supplementary sleep study. A total of 174 Veterans were randomized to one of three 8-session, in-person, group-based pain treatments: hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, or education control. Measurements included self-reported sleep disturbance, pain intensity, and pain catastrophizing; sleep duration was assessed with actigraphy. Sleep and pain measurements were obtained at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month posttreatment follow-up. At baseline, average pain intensity was moderate (mean ± SD: 5.7 ± 1.7 on the 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale), pain catastrophizing was just below the clinically relevant threshold (mean ± SD: 28.6 ± 12.2 on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale), and subjective sleep disturbance exceeded the US population average (mean ± SD: 58.5 ± 8.1 on the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sleep Disturbance - Short Form). By contrast, objective sleep duration was consistent with the recommended daily sleep amount of 7-8 h for adults (mean ± SD: 8.3 ± 1.4 h). Across treatment conditions, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and subjective sleep disturbance were significantly less at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up than at baseline (p < 0.001). Actigraphic sleep duration did not differ significantly as a function of time. There was a high degree of covariation among the measures of pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and sleep disturbance (p < 0.05). However, self-reported sleep disturbance was not significantly correlated with actigraphic sleep duration (|r| <= 0.13, p > 0.05). Sleep and pain variables observed at prior assessments predicted these same variables at subsequent assessments. There was no significant evidence that changes in pain preceded changes in sleep or that changes in sleep preceded changes in pain (all p > 0.05). For this study's Veterans, treatment-related changes in sleep and pain appeared to occur in parallel. The concomitant changes in sleep and pain suggest that therapies improving pain in Veterans may yield attendant benefits for the treatment of sleep, and possibly vice versa.

"I did not expect the doctor to treat a ghost": a systematic review of published reports regarding chronic postamputation pain in British First World War veterans.

Limb trauma remains the most prevalent survivable major combat injury. In the First World War, more than 700,000 British soldiers received limb wounds and more than 41,000 underwent an amputation, creating one of the largest amputee cohorts in history. Postamputation pain affects up to 85% of military amputees, suggesting that up to 33,000 British First World War veterans potentially reported postamputation pain. This qualitative systematic review explores the professional medical conversation around clinical management of chronic postamputation pain in this patient cohort, its development over the 20th century, and how this information was disseminated among medical professionals. We searched The Lancet and British Medical Journal archives (1914-1985) for reports referring to postamputation pain, its prevalence, mechanisms, descriptors, or clinical management. Participants were First World War veterans with a limb amputation, excluding civilians and veterans of all other conflicts. The search identified 9809 potentially relevant texts, of which 101 met the inclusion criteria. Reports emerged as early as 1914 and the discussion continued over the next 4 decades. Unexpected findings included early advocacy of multidisciplinary pain management, concerns over addiction, and the effect of chronic pain on mental health emerging decades earlier than previously thought. Chronic postamputation pain is still a significant issue for military rehabilitation. Similarities between injury patterns in the First World War and recent Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts mean that these historical aspects remain relevant to today's military personnel, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.

The psychometric strength and patient centeredness of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale.

The psychometric strength and patient centeredness of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale.

Factors Associated With Chronic Pain Intensity in U.S. Army Soldiers.

Chronic pain is prevalent among U.S. military personnel and veterans. The effectiveness of evidence-based pain treatments can be boosted with knowledge of factors associated with chronic pain perception. This study examined the factors that influence soldiers' self-rating of their chronic pain intensity. The study design was a retrospective review of the intake questionnaire from 203 soldiers seen at an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center. The intake covered various aspects of soldiers' chronic pain experience, including pain intensity, interference in functioning, emotional sequelae, and pain-related catastrophic thinking. Pain intensity and impact were measured using the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale. The mood was measured using the depression (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]-9) and the anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) scales from the PHQ. Pain-related catastrophic thinking was measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Pain interference was assessed using a five-item scale that inquired about concentration, life and recreation enjoyment, task performance, and socializing. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses. The mean duration of pain was 34.73 ± 38.66 months. Regression analysis using scores from the PHQ-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, three PCS subscales (rumination, magnification, and helplessness), and pain interference scale as predictors showed that pain interference and PCS helplessness factors were significant predictors of average pain rating (R2 = 24%, P < .001). Pain interference in functioning and pain-related thoughts of helplessness accounted for a significant degree of the variance in soldiers' self-rating of their chronic pain. The findings suggest that added attention should be directed at helping patients boost their self-efficacy in using pain-coping methods to improve their functioning and address the perception of helplessness about their pain.

Association ofChronic Pain With Alcohol Consumption andTobacco Use inActive Duty Soldiers.

Chronic pain and lifestyle habits, namely alcohol consumption and tobacco use, impact soldier readiness. This study examines the relationship between chronic pain and these lifestyle habits in soldiers seen at the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center (IPMC). This cross-sectional retrospective review utilized data from active duty soldiers receiving treatment at the IPMC. Soldiers (N = 203, 85% men) treated at the IPMC completed an intake questionnaire that included the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise, and inquiries about tobacco use. Tobacco use was quantified as the amount and frequency of cigarettes smoked. Other tobacco products were converted to an equivalent number of cigarettes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and independent samples t-test analyses. The mean duration of pain reported was 34.73 ± 38.66 months (median = 24.00). Soldiers engaging in hazardous drinking reported significantly higher interference with sleep (mean = 6.53 versus 5.40, P = .03) and greater negative effect on mood (mean = 6.33 versus 5.30, P = .04) compared to the no hazardous drinking group. Nonsignificant differences were found between tobacco users and non-tobacco users regarding pain intensity and pain effect on activity, sleep, mood, and stress (all P > .05). Among tobacco users, a significant negative correlation was found between a daily number of cigarettes used and sleep interference (r = -0.29, P = .024) as well as effect on mood (r = -0.33, P = .010). Years of tobacco use showed a significant negative correlation with the average pain intensity (r = -0.32, P = .025). The results suggest that addressing alcohol consumption is an essential part of chronic pain treatment. The finding of a negative association between years of nicotine use and pain intensity suggests that nicotine use may have served as a coping mechanism. Further research is needed.

Preexisting Gynecologic Conditions Associated with Chronic Pelvic Pain in Veterans Undergoing Hysterectomy for Benign Indications: Impact on Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

Preexisting Gynecologic Conditions Associated with Chronic Pelvic Pain in Veterans Undergoing Hysterectomy for Benign Indications: Impact on Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

The Use and Perceptions of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale by Nursing Personnel

BackgroundIn 2010, the Office of the US Army Surgeon General recommended the Veterans Administration (VA) assess pain using the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS). One item in the DVPRS is for measuring pain intensity. This item contains a combination of five response metrics: categories, faces, colors, numbers, and functional descriptors. A few studies have supported patients’ and health care providers’ preferences for the DVPRS and its psychometric properties. However, they also left uncertainties about its usability and validity. AimsTo advance our understanding of the DVPRS, this study examined the use and perceptions of the DVPRS’ pain intensity item by nursing personnel during multi-modal care. DesignA cross-sectional survey design was used. SettingVA Community Living Center. ParticipantsNursing personnel. MethodsNursing personnel answered closed- and open-ended survey questions during a single session. ResultsNursing personnel reported sufficient training before implementing the measure and that patients primarily used the numeric metric. When patients used a non-numeric metric, the nursing personnel responded in variable ways. In addition, the nursing personnel interpreted the functional descriptors differently. The nursing personnel also noted the need to supplement the pain intensity item with patients’ pain duration and pain location. ConclusionsResults from this study inform the nursing community about the DVPRS’ pain intensity item, which combines multiple response metrics. The results support the need for nursing units to generate and standardize procedures for using the item to measure multi-site pain and for interpreting and documenting patients’ non-numeric responses. The effects of such procedures on the measure's usability and psychometric properties warrants additional investigation.

Yoga is effective for treating chronic pain in veterans with Gulf War Illness at long-term follow-up

BackgroundClinical Practice Guidelines for Gulf War Illness (GWI) recommend integrative health approaches such as yoga for relief from symptoms, yet little is known about the long-term efficacy of yoga in reducing symptoms of GWI. Here, we evaluated the long-term efficacy of yoga and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) chronic pain treatment in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 75 Veterans (57 men, 42–71 ± 7.1 years of age) with Gulf War Illness (GWI).MethodsParticipants received either 10 weeks of yoga or 10 weeks of CBT for chronic pain. The primary outcome measures were pain severity, and pain interference (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form). The secondary outcome measures were fatigue, as indicated by a measure of functional exercise capacity (6-Minute Walk Test), depression, autonomic symptom severity, and quality of life. Piecewise linear mixed models were used to examine study hypotheses.ResultsCompared to the CBT group, yoga was associated with greater reductions in pain severity during the 6-month follow-up period (group × time interaction: b = 0.036, se = 0.014, p = .011). Although we did not find between-group differences in the other primary or secondary outcome measures during follow-up (p’s > 0.05), exploratory analyses revealed within-group improvements in pain interference, total pain (an experimental outcome variable which combines pain severity and interference), and fatigue in the yoga group (p’s < 0.05) but not in the CBT group.ConclusionsThis is the first study to report long-term follow-up results of yoga as a treatment for GWI. Our results suggest that yoga may offer long-term efficacy in reducing pain, which is a core symptom of GWI.Trial registrationSecondary analyses of ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02378025.

Patient-centeredness and psychometric properties of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale 2.0 (DVPRS).

This study aims to assess the patient-centeredness and psychometric properties of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale 2.0 (DVPRS) as a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for pain assessment in a military population. A critical evaluation of the DVPRS was conducted, considering its fit-for-purpose as a PROM and its patient-centeredness using the National Health Council's Rubric to Capture the Patient Voice. The study focused on the use of the DVPRS within the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Health Administration (VA) healthcare settings. The DVPRS was evaluated based on published studies and information provided by measure developers. The assessment included content validity, reliability, construct validity, and ability to detect change. Patient-centeredness and patient engagement were assessed across multiple domains. Two independent reviewers assessed the DVPRS using a tool/checklist/questionnaire, and any rating discrepancies were resolved through consensus. The assessment included an evaluation of psychometric properties and patient-centeredness based on established criteria. The DVPRS lacked sufficient evidence of content validity, with no patient involvement in its development. Construct validity was not assessed adequately, and confirmatory factor analysis was not performed. Patient-centeredness and patient engagement were also limited, with only a few domains showing meaningful evidence of patient partnership. The DVPRS as a PROM for pain assessment in the military population falls short in terms of content validity, construct validity, and patient-centeredness. It requires further development and validation, including meaningful patient engagement, to meet current standards and best practices for PROMs.

Hotspots and emerging trends in acupuncture research during 2012–2022: A bibliometric analysis: 2012至2022年针灸领域热点和趋势研究:一项文献计量学分析

ObjectiveTo find the hotspots of acupuncture research in the last decade and predict future trends. MethodsThe Web of Science Core Collection was used to retrieve articles published on the topic of acupuncture from January 1, 2012, to August 31, 2022. CiteSpace 6.1.R3, VOSviewer 1.6.18, SCImago Graphics and other tools were used to visualize and analyze the number of publications, countries, authors, journals, institutions, keywords, and cited articles. ResultA total of 10,942 articles published from January 2012 to August 2022 were analysed. A total of 97 countries and regions have conducted acupuncture research, with the highest number of research conducted in China. Furthermore, 8,056 institutions were involved in acupuncture research. In addition, 1,823 journals have published articles related to acupuncture research, with the highest number published by the journal Evid-Based Compl Alt (1,096 articles). The hotspots of acupuncture research are acupuncture analgesia (low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, headache, shoulder pain, neck pain, cancer pain, migraine), acupuncture anti-inflammatory (allergic rhinitis [AR], inflammatory pain), female-related diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome and breast cancer), cerebrovascular diseases (stroke and hemiplegia), rehabilitation treatment (postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain, and trauma pain in veterans), resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), nervous system diseases (nerve regeneration and neuroprotection), depression, insomnia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), evidence-based researches, etc. ConclusionFrom the analysis of acupuncture research hotspots, acupuncture research was mainly focused on acupuncture mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and acupuncture standards. The emerging trends for the future include the standardization of acupuncture research and the treatment of chronic diseases with a clinical basis and more efficacy through the use of acupuncture in internal medicine.

Barriers to accessing pain management services among veterans with bipolar disorder.

To identify barriers veterans with bipolar disorder face to accessing chronic pain management services within a Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. Veterans (n = 15) with chronic pain and bipolar disorder and providers (n = 15) working within a mid-Atlantic VA health care system. Data were collected from August 2017-June 2018. Veteran interviews focused on their chronic pain experiences and treatment, including barriers that arose when trying to access pain management services. Provider interviews focused on whether they address chronic pain with veteran patients and, if so, what considerations arise when addressing pain in veterans with bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses. Veterans were at least 18 years old, had a confirmed bipolar disorder and chronic pain diagnosis, and engaged in outpatient care within the VA health care system. Clinicians provided direct care services to veterans within the same VA. Interviews lasted approximately 60 min and were transcribed and analyzed using a rapid analysis protocol. Four major themes emerged from veteran and provider interviews: siloed care (unintegrated and uncoordinated mental and physical health care), mental health primacy (prioritization of mental health symptoms at expense of physical health symptoms), lagging expectations (unfamiliarity with comprehensive evidence-based pain management options), and provider-patient communication concerns (inefficient communication about pain concerns and treatment options). Veterans with co-occurring pain and bipolar disorder face unique barriers that compromise equitable access to evidence-based pain treatment. Our findings suggest that educating providers about bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses and the benefit of effective non-pharmacological pain interventions for this group may improve care coordination and care quality and reduce access disparities.

Are Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior Predictive Of Pain In Veterans With Chronic Widespread Pain?

Are Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior Predictive Of Pain In Veterans With Chronic Widespread Pain?

Pain and Hazardous Alcohol Use in Veterans in Primary Care: The Role of Affective Pain Interference and Alcohol Pain-Coping Perceptions

Chronic pain and unhealthy alcohol use commonly co-occur and are associated with negative health outcomes. Veterans may be particularly vulnerable to these conditions, yet limited research has examined factors involved in their co-occurrence. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the role of affective pain interference and alcohol pain-coping perceptions in the relationship between pain and hazardous alcohol use. As informed by the catastrophizing, anxiety, negative urgency, and expectancy model, we hypothesized that the relationship between pain and hazardous alcohol consumption is mediated by affective pain interference and stronger among those with greater perceptions that alcohol helps cope with pain. Participants were 254 VA primary care patients (87.8% male, Mage = 64.03, 76.4% White) with a history of chronic musculoskeletal pain, past-year alcohol use, and past-week pain. Veterans completed a mailed survey including measures of pain, affective pain interference, alcohol pain-coping perceptions, and hazardous alcohol use. Hypotheses were tested with regression models and PROCESS macros. As hypothesized, affective pain interference mediated the pain-hazardous alcohol use association. Contrary to hypotheses, results showed no moderating effect of alcohol pain-coping perceptions. Findings partially support relationships among theorized constructs and suggest that for Veterans with co-occurring pain and alcohol use it may be important to target pain-related affective interference and perceptions that alcohol helps cope with pain. PerspectiveThis article presents a test of factors involved in the pain and alcohol relationship, as informed by the CANUE model. Findings suggest that for Veterans with co-occurring pain and past-year alcohol use, it may be important to target pain-related affective interference and perceptions that alcohol helps cope with pain.

Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military Personnel and Veterans

This Viewpoint reviews the evidence for using cannabis and cannabinoids to treat pain and PTSD in military and veteran populations.

0859 Characterizing Comorbid Chronic Pain in Veterans with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract Introduction Evidence suggests that chronic noncancer pain (CP) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are highly prevalent in the adult civilian population. As military veterans are disproportionally affected by both CP and OSA, greater understanding of the frequency and characteristics of CP that most commonly affect veterans with OSA is needed. Thus, this study characterized CP among veterans with OSA in terms of frequency, location, duration, severity, interference on daily activities, and etiology (neuropathic versus not). Methods A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional survey of veterans with newly diagnosed, untreated OSA and reporting pre-existing CP (N=107). Descriptive statistics characterized the sample and comorbid CP outcomes. Results In total, 69.5% (107/154) of participants with OSA who consented for the study had CP. Among participants with CP completing the survey (66.4% [71/107]), CP symptoms persisted for 15 years (IQR = 10-26.5). On average, Brief Pain Inventory – Short Form scores (0-10 scale) indicate moderate pain severity (5.2 ± 2.0) and interference on daily activities (5.7 ± 2.3). Greater pain interference was with sleep (6.3 ± 3.1) and enjoyment of life (6.0 ± 2.5). Pain affected multiple body regions and symptoms of predominantly neuropathic origin (defined as Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs scores ≥ 12) were reported by 49.3% of the sample. Conclusion CP is commonly comorbid with OSA. Primary care, pain management, and sleep medicine providers should prioritize CP screening, OSA screening, and management among patients with OSA. Future investigations of CP and OSA should focus on their association and how the effective treatment of one affects the severity of the other. Support (if any) SRSF Small Research Grant Award: 05-SRG-20. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Office of Nursing Research.