Prevalence of Chronic Pain, Treatments, Perception, and Interference on Life Activities: Brazilian Population-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain affects between 30% and 50% of the world population. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in Brazil, describe and compare differences between pain types and characteristics, and identify the types of therapies adopted and the impact of pain on daily life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a population-based survey with randomized sample from a private database. The interviews were conducted by phone. 78% of the respondents aged 18 years or more agreed to be interviewed, for a total of 723 respondents distributed throughout the country. Independent variables were demographic data, pain and treatment characteristics, and impact of pain on daily life. Comparative and associative statistical analyses were conducted to select variables for nonhierarchical logistic regression. RESULTS: Chronic pain prevalence was 39% and mean age was 41 years with predominance of females (56%). We found higher prevalence of chronic pain in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Pain treatment was not specific to gender. Dissatisfaction with chronic pain management was reported by 49% of participants. CONCLUSION: 39% of interviewed participants reported chronic pain, with prevalence of females. Gender-associated differences were found in intensity perception and interference of pain on daily life activities.

Psychobehavioral and psychosocial aspects of neuropathic pain patients / Aspectos psicocomportamentais e psicossociais dos portadores de dor neuropática

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identifying and treating psychosocial, intrapsychic, relational, psychiatric and psychobehavioral factors which influence neuropathic pain nature, severity and persistence are object of scientific concern and a lot has been done in this area; however it is clear the need for further emphasis and disclosure of contents for better professional knowledge. This study aimed at outlining the psychobehavioral and psychosocial scenario by means of literature review, through some theories about pain regulation, via cognitive functioning and stress theories, although it is known that the universe of this study is too broad but the idea is to outline a panoramic view of the field. CONTENTS: Incapacity, distress, painful and unhealthy behaviors and of gains are challenging factors for the treatment of neuropathic pain patients. Notions about thinking distortion, especially caused by pain perception leading to catastrophic thoughts and decreasing the efficacy of other non-addressed interventions, as well as aspects of the psychosocial impact influencing the development of chronicity and maintenance of unhealthy patterns. CONCLUSION: Psychological interventions aiming at changing beliefs and dysfunctional behaviors, incapacities and distress, at changing neuropathic pain perception, treatment of mental decompensations such as depression and anxiety and of recurrences, are critical to manage neuropathic pain patients. It is confirmed that knowledge about adaptations in the rewarding circuits is fundamental for psychological, psychotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions to be more effective, thus preventing problems related to pathological maintenance in cases of neuropathic etiology.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Identificar e tratar os fatores psicossociais, intrapsíquicos, relacionais, psiquiátricos e psicocomportamentais que influenciem a natureza, gravidade, persistência da dor neuropática, vem sendo objeto de preocupação científica e muito se tem progredido na área, no entanto, é vigente a necessidade de maior ênfase e divulgação dos conteúdos para melhor conhecimento no meio profisisonal. O presente artigo visou esboçar o panorama da área psicocomportamental e psicossocial, por meio de levantamento da literatura, através algumas teorias acerca da regulação de dor, via teorias do funcionamento cognitivo e estresse, embora sabidamente o universo de estudo seja muito amplo, pretende esboçar uma visão panorâmica do campo. CONTEÚDO: A incapacidade, o sofrimento, os comportamentos dolorosos e doentios e dos ganhos são fatores de desafio aos tratamentos do doente com dor neuropática. Noções acerca da distorção do pensamento, particularmente, decorrente da percepção da dor induzindo a pensamentos catastróficos reduzindo a eficácia de outras intervenções não abordadas, bem como aspectos da visão do impacto psicossocial que intervêm no desenvolvimento da cronificação e manutenção de padrões doentios. CONCLUSÃO: As intervenções psicológicas ao visarem à alteração das crenças e modificação dos comportamentos disfuncionais, incapacidades e sofrimentos, alteração da percepção da dor neuropática, tratamento das descompensações mentais como a depressão e a ansiedade e das recidivas tornam-se imperativas no manejo do doente com a condição. Confirma-se que o conhecimento acerca de adaptações nos circuitos de recompensa é fundamental para que as intervenções psicológicas, psicoterapêuticas e psicossociais possam agir de maneira mais eficaz prevenindo problemas relacionados à manutenção patológica nos casos de etiologia neuropática.

Aspectos psicológicos no uso da bomba de analgesia controlada pelo paciente / Psychological aspects of the use of patient-controlled analgesia pump

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A observação dos profissionais da Equipe de Controle da Dor da Disciplina de Anestesiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo sugere que os pacientes em uso de bomba de analgesia controlada pelo paciente (ACP) desenvolvem o que parece ser uma relação afetiva positiva com o equipamento e reagem melhor ao tratamento da dor do que aqueles que recebem os analgésicos administrados pelos métodos tradicionais. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se há na literatura pesquisas que tenham investigado as hipóteses por nós consideradas de que essa relação afetiva positiva com a bomba de ACP ocorreria porque a mesma funcionaria como um "representante materno", investido de qualidades hedônicas positivas; ou como objeto transicional de afeto numa situação vivida como estado de desamparo e desmoronamento; ou que acionar a bomba de ACP teria efeito de autoinvestimento de poder. CONTEÚDO: Um levantamento nos bancos de dados PUBMED e BVS usando as palavras: Pain (dor) and helplessness (desamparo), Pain and PCA pump (bomba de ACP), Pain and helplessness and PCA pump, Coping (enfrentamento) and pain and PCA pump, Analgesia controlada pelo paciente e Analgesia controlada pelo paciente e psicologia, identificou 4693 resultados, sendo selecionados 20 abstracts do PUBMED, dos quais, em posterior exame, foram selecionados 6 relativos à dor e desamparo e 10 relativos à dor e a bomba de ACP.CONCLUSÃO: A literatura ainda carece de estudos clínicos sistematizados sobre os aspectos subjetivos da adaptação dos pacientes ao uso da bomba ACP, e os estudos que examinam a satisfação do paciente devem ser incrementados visando a melhor utilização desse recurso terapêutico que melhora o manuseio e controle farmacológico da dor. Este estudo levanta algumas hipóteses, sugere alguns conceitos-chave e faz algumas considerações nessa direção.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Professionals of the Pain Control Team of the Anesthesiology Discipline, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo observed that patients under patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump develop what seems to be a positive affective relationship with the equipment and better react to pain treatment as compared to those receiving analgesics via traditional methods. This study aimed at verifying whether there are in the literature studies investigating our hypothesis that such positive affective relationship with PCA pump would happen because it function as a "maternal representative", invested of positive hedonistic qualities; or as a transitional object of affection in a situation lived as a state of helplessness and collapse; or that activating the PCA pump would have an effect of self-empowerment.CONTENTS: A survey on PUBMED and BVS databases using the words: Pain and helplessness, Pain and PCA pump, Pain and helplessness and PCA pump, Coping and Pain and PCA pump, Patient-controlled analgesia and Patient-controlled analgesia and psychology has found 4693 results, of which 20 PUBMED abstracts were selected, from which, in a further analysis, 6 were selected with regard to pain and helplessness and 10 with regard to pain and patient-controlled analgesia pump.CONCLUSION: Literature still lacks systematized clinical studies on the subjective aspects of patients? adaptation to the use of PCA pump and studies analyzing patients? satisfaction should be incremented aiming at a better use of such therapeutic tool which improves pain management and pharmacological control. This study raises some hypotheses, suggests some key-concepts and makes some considerations in this direction.

Psychological evaluation and cope with trigeminal neuralgia and temporomandibular disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the psychological aspects of orofacial pain in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and associated factors of coping as limitations in daily activities and feelings about the treatment and about the pain. METHOD: 30 patients were evaluated (15 with TN and 15 with TMD) using a semi-directed interview and the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale. RESULTS: TN patients knew more about their diagnosis (p<0.001). Most of the patients with TN considered their disease severe (87%), in opposite to TMD (p=0.004); both groups had a high level of limitations in daily activities, and the most helpful factors to overcome pain were the proposed treatment followed by religiosity (p<0.04). Means of HAD scores were 10.9 for anxiety (moderate) and 11.67 for depression (mild), and were not statistically different between TMD and NT (p=0.20). CONCLUSION: TN and TMD had similar scores of anxiety and depression, therefore patients consider TN more severe than TMD. Even with higher limitations, patients with TN cope better with their disease then patients with TMD.

Psychological evaluation and cope with trigeminal neuralgia and temporomandibular disorder / Avaliação psicológica e enfrentamento na neuralgia trigeminal e disfunção temporomandibular

OBJECTIVE: To determine the psychological aspects of orofacial pain in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and associated factors of coping as limitations in daily activities and feelings about the treatment and about the pain. METHOD: 30 patients were evaluated (15 with TN and 15 with TMD) using a semi-directed interview and the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale. RESULTS: TN patients knew more about their diagnosis (p<0.001). Most of the patients with TN considered their disease severe (87 percent), in opposite to TMD (p=0.004); both groups had a high level of limitations in daily activities, and the most helpful factors to overcome pain were the proposed treatment followed by religiosity (p<0.04). Means of HAD scores were 10.9 for anxiety (moderate) and 11.67 for depression (mild), and were not statistically different between TMD and NT (p=0.20). CONCLUSION: TN and TMD had similar scores of anxiety and depression, therefore patients consider TN more severe than TMD. Even with higher limitations, patients with TN cope better with their disease then patients with TMD.

OBJETIVO: Comparar aspectos psicológicos de dor orofacial entre neuralgia trigeminal (NT) e disfunção temporomandibular (DTM), e repercussões em atividades diárias, enfrentamento a representação da dor. MÉTODO: 30 pacientes foram avaliados (15 com NT, 15 com DTM) utilizando entrevista semi-dirigida e a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HAD). RESULTADOS: Pacientes com NT sabiam melhor sobre seu diagnóstico (p<0,001). A maioria destes considerou sua doença grave (87 por cento), em oposição a pacientes com DTM (p=0,004); ambos tiveram um alto nível de limitações durante atividades diárias, e o tratamento seguido da religiosidade foram considerados os aspectos mais positivos para superação da dor (p<0,04). Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos quanto a HAD (p=0,20), sendo a média dos índices foi 10,9 para ansiedade (moderada) e 11,67 para depressão (leve). CONCLUSÃO: Tanto pacientes com NT como pacientes com DTM apresentaram níveis semelhantes de ansiedade e depressão, entretanto pacientes com NT consideram sua doença mais grave do que os outros doentes. Mesmo com alto grau de limitações, seu enfrentamento da doença é melhor do que o enfrentamento de doentes com DTM.

Estudo sobre a efetividade da técnica de biofeedback em grupo de doentes com migrânea crônica / Study about the biofeedback technique effectiveness in group with chronic migrainers

O biofeedback (BFD) é uma estratégia terapêutica em que ocorre aprendizagem por associação de sensações com o propósito de controlá-las levando a melhor enfrentamento fornecendo novas respostas e permitindo novos padrões, mesmo que se mantenha a ativação dos estímulos originais disfuncionais. Em migranosos ocorreria inibição da expressão da angústia relacionada ao nível fisiológico, devido a persistência de estados induzidos de estresse. Pesquisas de enfrentamento da migrânea incluem tratamento por condicionamento operante, biofeeback e outras técnicas como tratamento psicodinâmico. Tais tratamentos apontam para a redução do reforçamento do comportamento doloroso e melhora de comportamentos adaptativos para o enfrentamento das dificuldades. Objetivo geral: verificar a efetividade da técnica do biofeeback térmico como tratamento auxiliar em migranosos, através do Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI), antes e depois da intervenção. População: 60 doentes (masculino e feminino); idade variando entre 20 e 60 anos, com duração dos sintomas superior à 6 meses; em condições de locomoção e retorno às consultas e aceite do termo de Consentimento Pós-Informado CAPPesq. Instrumentos e Procedimento: Entrevista psicológica semi-dirigida para doentes com dor, através de protocolo próprio (Perissinotti, 2001); PRIME-MD + Qp; ABIPEME; Multidimensional Pain Inventory - MPI; ProComp + BioGraph 2.1. Duas amostras randomizadas foram separadas: grupo experimental (30 doentes) e grupo comparativo (30 doentes). O procedimento foi composto por triagem e direcionamento para grupo experimental, treinamento por BFD, 10 sessões que objetivaram o treino de dimensão de sensibilização discriminativa; e para o grupo comparativo adotado tratamento médico preventivo com medicação profilática padrão, para crise de migrânea. Resultados: O BFD alterou o comportamento da amostra experimental estudada, ocorrendo melhora geral da adaptabilidade, quando dos cálculos pela análise paramétrica...

Biofeedback (BFD) is a therapeutic strategy in which occurs the learning by the sensations association, with the purpose of controlling them leading to a behavior of better copping because provides new responses permitting new patterns, even with a new activation of dysfunctional original stimuli. In migrainers there would be the inhibition of anger expression related to the physiological level due to persistence of stressor-induced activation states. The migraine management research includes operant behavior treatment, biofeeback and other techniques as psychodynamic treatments. These treatments point out to reduce the reinforcement for pain behaviors and to improve adaptative behaviors to copping difficulties. General Objective: Verify the thermal biofeeback technique effectiveness as an auxiliary treatment in migraine patients by Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI), before and after intervention. Population: 60 patients (female and male): variance age between 20 and 60 years old, symptoms duration superior to 6 months, in condition to locomotion, to return to consultation and acceptance of the Post-Informed Consenting Term CAPPesq. Instruments and Procedure: Semi-directed structured psychological interviews for pain patients by Owner Protocol (Perissinotti, 2001); PRIME MD + PQ; ABIPEME; Multidimensional Pain Inventory - MPI; ProComp + BioGraph 2.1. Two random samples were separated: experimental group (30 patients) and comparative group (30 patients). The procedure was composed by triage and directionless: for experimental group, the BFD training, 10 sessions for sensitive-discriminative dimension training; for comparative group, the preventive medical treatment with standard prophylactic medication for migraine crisis. Results: The BFD has interfered in the behavior of the experimental sample studied, occurring a general better in adaptability, when calculated the parametric analysis. When the analysis by qui-square test for qualitative variables...