Le LHL, Brown VAV, Mol S, Azijli K, Kuijper MM, Becker L, Koopman SSHA. Sex differences in pain catastrophizing and its relation to the transition from acute pain to chronic pain.
BMC Anesthesiol 2024;
24:127. [PMID:
38566044 PMCID:
PMC10985981 DOI:
10.1186/s12871-024-02496-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE
Differences exist between sexes in pain and pain-related outcomes, such as development of chronic pain. Previous studies suggested a higher risk for pain chronification in female patients. Furthermore, pain catastrophizing is an important risk factor for chronification of pain. However, it is unclear whether sex differences in catastrophic thinking could explain the sex differences in pain chronification.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in pain catastrophizing. Additionally, we investigated pain catastrophizing as a potential mediator of sex differences in the transition of acute to chronic pain.
DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS
Adults visiting one of the 15 participating emergency departments in the Netherlands with acute pain-related complaints. Subjects had to meet inclusion criteria and complete questionnaires about their health and pain.
OUTCOMES MEASURE AND ANALYSIS
The outcomes in this prospective cohort study were pain catastrophizing (short form pain catastrophizing) and pain chronification at 90 days (Numeric Rating Scale ≥ 1). Data was analysed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Finally, stratified regression analyses were conducted to assess whether differences in pain catastrophizing accounted for observed differences in pain chronification between sexes.
MAIN RESULTS
In total 1,906 patients were included. Females catastrophized pain significantly more than males (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses suggested that pain catastrophizing is associated with pain chronification in both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS
This study reported differences between sexes in catastrophic cognitions in the development of chronic pain. This is possibly of clinical importance to identify high-risk patients and ensure an early intervention to prevent the transition from acute to chronic pain.
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