Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms in Chilean Victims of Political Violence During the 1973 to 1990 Dictatorship.

People who suffer political violence (PV) are at risk of developing mental illness, chronic noncommunicable diseases, chronic pain, and decreased life expectancy. However, these indicators have been studied primarily in war veterans and refugees. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and central sensitization-related symptoms (CSRS) in Chilean victims of PV during the 1973 to 1990 dictatorship. A cross-sectional observational multicenter study was conducted. Three hundred twenty-five people from six centers of a Ministry of Health of Chile program participated. The presence of CMP was determined by a history of pain ≥3 months, and CSRS was determined using the central sensitization inventory. About 69.23% of the sample had CMP (76.85% of females and 56.56% of males). About 60% of people with CMP showed a high level of CSRS severity (66.67% females and 44.93% males). Females presented significantly higher proportions of CMP (p < .001), and there was an association between CSRS severity and being female (p = .004). Chilean victims of PV during the 1973 to 1990 dictatorship presented a high prevalence of CMP and high-level CSRS severity. Both conditions affected females more than males. Future studies are needed to further delve into these variables' behavior and their influence on the quality of life in this population.

Empleo empírico de cannabis para control del dolor crónico de origen musculoesquelético / Empirical use of cannabis to control chronic pain of musculoskeletal origin

Resumen: Introducción: La creciente aceptación de los cannabinoides con fines terapéuticos se ha vinculado a cambios en la legislación, alta prevalencia y control ineficaz de dolor crónico con analgésicos convencionales. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del dolor crónico, la modalidad de tratamiento analgésico con terapias herbales (cannabis) en adultos del sureste de México. Material y métodos: Se efectuó un estudio transversal y etnográfico en 267 personas con dolor crónico y empleo regular de la herbolaria con fines analgésicos. Se efectuaron pruebas de hipótesis para evaluar diferencias entre valores promedio, edad e intensidad del dolor, comparándose el empleo de cannabis con el tipo de dolor, género, diagnósticos algológicos y comorbilidades. Resultados: Se observó asociación entre dolor crónico con: diabetes, hipertensión, neoplasias en mujeres, adultos mayores. El 46% de los participantes padecía osteoartritis y 20.9% presentaba otros diagnósticos. Las modalidades preferidas para la administración tópica de cannabis fueron tinturas en mezcal o en alcohol y, en menor proporción, macerados en aceites e inhalación. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos no permiten considerar a la cannabis como monoterapia para pacientes con dolor crónico. Sin embargo, ofrecen un campo promisorio en la búsqueda de alternativas analgésicas que eviten el consumo crónico de opiáceos o antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE).

Abstract: Introduction: The increasing acceptance of cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes has been linked to changes in legislation, high prevalence and ineffective control of chronic pain with conventional analgesics. Objective: Determine the prevalence of chronic pain, the analgesic treatment modality with herbal therapies (cannabis) in adults in southeastern Mexico. Material and methods: A cross-sectional and ethnographic study was carried out on 267 people with chronic pain and regular use of herbal medicine for analgesic purposes. Hypothesis tests were carried out to evaluate differences between average values, age and pain intensity, comparing the use of cannabis with the type of pain, gender, algological diagnoses and comorbidities. Results: An association was observed between chronic pain: diabetes, hypertension, neoplasms in women, in older adults. 46% of the participants suffered from osteoarthritis and 20.9% had other diagnoses. The preferred modality for the topical administration of cannabis was tinctures in Mezcal or alcohol and to a lesser extent macerated in oils and inhalation. Conclusions: The findings do not allow cannabis to be considered as monotherapy for chronic pain in patients with chronic pain. However, they offer a promising field in the search for analgesic alternatives that avoid the chronic consumption of opiates or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The bidirectional association between chronic musculoskeletal pain and sleep-related problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes the evidence on prospective bidirectional associations between sleep-related problems (SRP) and chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). METHODS: A literature search for cohort studies available in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library databases as of 19 July 2022 was performed. Pooled odds ratios and effect sizes were calculated through random effects meta-analysis. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore differences by follow-up time, proportion of each sex and mean age. The Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were strictly followed. RESULTS: Twenty studies with a total of 208 190 adults (aged 34.4-71.7 years) were included, with 17 of them being used in the meta-analysis. Individuals with SRP at baseline had a 1.79-fold higher incidence (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.55, 2.08; I2 = 84.7%; P < 0.001) and a 2.04-fold higher persistence (OR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.42, 2.94; I2 = 88.5%; P < 0.005) of CMP than those without SRP. In the subgroup analysis of the association between SRP and CMP, the longer the follow-up time of the studies, the higher the heterogeneity between them. In the corresponding meta-regression, no significant effect was observed for follow-up time, sex proportion or age. Individuals with CMP at baseline had a 2.02-fold higher incidence of SRP (OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.62, 2.53; I2 = 90.0%; P < 0.001) than those without CMP. CONCLUSION: This study provides robust evidence concerning the longitudinal association between SRP and incidence-persistence of CMP in adults. In addition, the available prospective studies support the existence of a bidirectional relationship between CMP and SRP. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020212360.

The needs, barriers, and opportunities perceived by health professionals for an online competency-based interprofessional course to enhance the care of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

BACKGROUND: It is recommended that continued education in pain should be supported using information and communication technologies (ICTs), but there are gaps about the previous competencies of health professionals, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study characterized the competencies of professionals in the Colombian Caribbean, the circumstances that favor and hinder the development of appropriate care, as well as the preferences, expectations and attitudes toward an educational intervention supported by ICTs. METHODS: We used a qualitative, phenomenological approach, combining documentary review and data obtained through observation, an online survey and two focus groups involving 55 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses and psychologists) of varying experience. For the analysis and integration of results, the Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior model and the Theoretical Domains Framework were used as references. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist guided the reporting of this study. RESULTS: Competency deficits were found regardless of the profession and experience, which are related to inadequacies in undergraduate and post-graduate training. Structural problems in Colombian society and healthcare service organization were also discovered, which were considered unmodifiable barriers and have been aggravated by the social, economic and health effects of the pandemic. The main modifiable barriers found were as follows: pain underestimation and under-treatment of older adults, as well as stereotypes regarding old age and pain, lack of knowledge of the psychosocial determinants of pain and of techniques for its assessment and treatment, overestimation of pharmacological treatment and failure to update pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for the design of the educational intervention were established as follows: favoring non-synchronous resources, facilitating synchronous activities of short duration, facilitating permanent access to information and resources and generating incentives for continuing education, such as certification, institutional recognition and encouraging popular recognition.

A Diagnostic Prediction Model for Separating Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a diagnostic prediction model that can distinguish between juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome (CMPS) based on patient-reported outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR) performs well in distinguishing JIA from CMPS. We analyzed JAMARs completed by 287 patients at their first visit to the pediatric rheumatology department of Wilhelmina Children's Hospital in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Relevant JAMAR items for predicting a diagnosis of JIA were selected in a penalized multivariable model suitable for clinical application. The model was subsequently validated with new data from the same center. RESULTS: A total of 196 JAMARs (97 JIA, 99 CMPS) were collected in the model development data, and 91 JAMARs (48 JIA, 43 CMPS) were collected in the validation data. Variables in the prediction model that were strongest associated with a diagnosis of JIA instead of CMPS were asymmetric pain/swelling in the shoulder (OR, 2.34), difficulty with self-care (OR, 2.41), skin rash (OR, 2.07), and asymmetric/pain swelling in the knee (OR, 2.29). Calibration and discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74-0.92) of the model in the validation data were good. CONCLUSIONS: Several items from the JAMAR questionnaire can potentially distinguish JIA from CMPS in patients with corresponding symptoms. We present an easy-to-use, adjusted, and validated model to separate these 2 diagnoses early at presentation based on patient-reported outcomes to facilitate proper referral and treatment.

Evaluation of the efficacy of an internet-based pain education and exercise program for chronic musculoskeletal pain in comparison with online self-management booklet: a protocol of a randomised controlled trial with assessor-blinded, 12-month follow-up, and economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the main causes of years lived with disability and generates the highest cost of health care among chronic pain conditions. Internet-based treatments have been shown to be an alternative for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, in addition to reducing barriers such as travel, high demands on the public health system, lack of time, lack of insurance coverage for private care, and high costs for long-term treatment. The aim of this clinical trial is to develop and test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of, an internet-based self-management program based on pain education and exercise for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: This is a prospectively registered, assessor-blinded, two-arm randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation comparing the Internet-based pain education and exercise intervention with a control group that will receive an online booklet. One hundred and sixty patients will be recruited from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Follow-ups will be conducted in post-treatment, 6 and 12 months after randomisation. The conduct of the study, as well as the evaluations and follow-ups will be carried out entirely remotely, through online platforms and telephone calls. The primary outcome will be pain intensity at post-treatment (8 weeks) measured using the 11-item Pain Numerical Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes will be biopsychosocial factors presents in the chronic musculoskeletal pain condition. Costs due to chronic musculoskeletal pain will be also measured, and cost-effectiveness analysis from a societal perspective will performed. DISCUSSION: Our hypothesis is that internet-based pain education and exercise will be better than an online booklet in reducing pain and improving biopsychosocial outcomes in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. In addition, we believe that there will be good acceptance of patients for the internet-based intervention and that internet-based intervention will be more cost effective than the online booklet. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT04274439 , registered 18 February 2020).

P2X4 Receptors on Muscle Macrophages Are Required for Development of Hyperalgesia in an Animal Model of Activity-Induced Muscle Pain.

Activity-induced pain is common in those with chronic musculoskeletal pain and limits participation in daily activities and exercise. Our laboratory developed a model of activity-induced pain and shows that depletion of muscle macrophages prevents development of hyperalgesia. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released from fatiguing muscle and activates purinergic receptors (P2X), and P2X4 receptors are expressed on macrophages. We hypothesized that exercise releases ATP to activate P2X4 receptors on muscle macrophages, which subsequently release interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) to produce hyperalgesia. In an animal model of activity-induced pain, using male and female C57BL6/J mice, we show increased expression of P2X4 on muscle macrophages, and blockade of P2X4 receptors in muscle prevented development of hyperalgesia. Using a lentivirus expressing an artificial micro-RNA to P2X4 under the control of a CD68 promoter, we decreased expression of P2X4 mRNA in cultured macrophages, decreased expression of P2X4 protein in muscle macrophages in vivo, and prevented development of activity-induced hyperalgesia. We further show that macrophages primed with LPS differentially released IL-1ß when treated with ATP in neutral or acidic pH. Lastly, blockade of IL-1ß in muscle prevented development of hyperalgesia in this model. Thus, our data suggest that P2X4 receptors could be a valid pharmacological target to control activity-induced muscle pain experienced by patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Co-occurrence of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude of the association between cardiovascular disease and chronic musculoskeletal pain. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed in five electronic databases. Population-based studies reporting the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in adults stratified by chronic musculoskeletal pain status were considered eligible. Two independent reviewers performed the screening of the records following the inclusion criteria, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies using an assessment tool of risk of bias for observational studies. In addition, we assessed the overall quality of evidence using an adaptation of the GRADE approach for prognosis. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included in this review. There was high-quality evidence that people with chronic musculoskeletal pain are 1.91 times more likely to report having a cardiovascular disease compared with those without chronic musculoskeletal pain (risk ratio = 1.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.64-2.21). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated associations between chronic musculoskeletal pain and any cardiovascular diseases. Future studies are still warranted to better understand the association between chronic musculoskeletal pain and the specific types of cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of aerobic exercise in the treatment of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a protocol of a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects the quality of life of older adults by interfering in their ability to perform activities of daily living. Aerobic exercise programs have been used in the treatment of various health conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is still little evidence on the effects of aerobic exercise for the treatment of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the effects of aerobic exercise in improving pain and function of older adults with chronic pain as a consequence of different chronic musculoskeletal conditions. METHODS: The databases to be used in the search are PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Randomized controlled trials that used aerobic exercise in the treatment of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be included. Primary outcomes will be pain and function. We will use the PEDro scale to evaluate the methodological quality and statistical description of each included study, and the strength of the recommendations will be summarized using GRADE. DISCUSSION: The results of this systematic review will provide a synthesis of the current evidence on the effects of aerobic exercise in the treatment of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. In addition, this information can help health professionals in decision-making about the use of aerobic exercise in the treatment of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review was recorded prospectively, and the results will be part of a doctoral thesis to be published in a peer-reviewed international journal and possibly presented at international conferences. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42019118903.

The Role of Patient and Parental Resilience in Adolescents with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of resilience among patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and their parents and to determine factors associated with patient and parental resilience. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study of children aged 13-17 years diagnosed with chronic musculoskeletal pain and their parents. Patient-parent pairs were seen for initial consultation in the pediatric rheumatology pain clinic at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between March and May 2018 and were administered a series of questionnaires including measures of resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 item, The 14-item Resilience Scale, and the 7Cs of Resilience Tool). We calculated Pearson correlation coefficients to examine the relationship between the variables of interest and resilience. RESULTS: According to all resilience measures, patients and parents had low to moderate levels of resilience. These levels were lower than those previously reported among healthy populations, as well as those with chronic medical conditions. According to the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 item, patient-level resilience was negatively correlated with pain level (r = -0.48), physical disability (r = -0.54), and symptom severity (r = -0.53). The level of resilience among patients was positively correlated with energy level (r = 0.57) and health-related quality of life (r = 0.64). Parental resilience was positively correlated with parental mental health (r = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Higher patient resilience was correlated with reduced disease severity among adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Future research should explore whether fostering resilience in adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain via the application of resilience-training interventions mitigates disease burden in this vulnerable patient population.

Cluster subgroups based on overall pressure pain sensitivity and psychosocial factors in chronic musculoskeletal pain: Differences in clinical outcomes.

Objective: We aimed to empirically derive psychosocial and pain sensitivity subgroups using cluster analysis within a sample of individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and to investigate derived subgroups for differences in pain and disability outcomes. Methods: Eighty female participants with CMP answered psychosocial and disability scales and were assessed for pressure pain sensitivity. A cluster analysis was used to derive subgroups, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate differences between subgroups. Results: Psychosocial factors (kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression) and overall pressure pain threshold (PPT) were entered into the cluster analysis. Three subgroups were empirically derived: cluster 1 (high pain sensitivity and high psychosocial distress; n = 12) characterized by low overall PPT and high psychosocial scores; cluster 2 (high pain sensitivity and intermediate psychosocial distress; n = 39) characterized by low overall PPT and intermediate psychosocial scores; and cluster 3 (low pain sensitivity and low psychosocial distress; n = 29) characterized by high overall PPT and low psychosocial scores compared to the other subgroups. Cluster 1 showed higher values for mean pain intensity (F(2,77) = 10.58, p < 0.001) compared with cluster 3, and cluster 1 showed higher values for disability (F(2,77) = 3.81, p = 0.03) compared with both clusters 2 and 3. Conclusions: Only cluster 1 was distinct from cluster 3 according to both pain and disability outcomes. Pain catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety were the psychosocial variables that best differentiated the subgroups. Overall, these results call attention to the importance of considering pain sensitivity and psychosocial variables to obtain a more comprehensive characterization of CMP patients' subtypes.