Influence of premorbid psychosocial stressors on chronic localized pain syndromes clinical characteristics (observational study)

Abstract

Introduction. It is now recognized that stress plays an important role in the occurrence and exacerbation of chronic pain syndromes. Stress has a modulatory effect on the structures of the nervous system depending on the nature, duration and intensity of the stressor which is reflected in the clinical characteristics of pain.Aim. To study the features of the clinical characteristics of chronic localized pain syndromes depending on the presence of psychosocial stressors at the onset of pain.Materials and methods. The study included 118 patients with chronic localized pain syndromes 38 men (32.2%) and 80 women (67.8%) aged 19 to 66 years (mean age 41 ± 11 years). Depending on the presence of premorbid psychosocial stressors at the onset of pain patients were divided into two groups group I (main), group II (control). The research methods included a general clinical assessment of the pain syndrome characteristics, an assessment of the emotional state, psychosocial indicators and quality of life using special scales and tests. Statistical analysis was carried out using the StatTech v. 2.6.1.Results. Patients of group I experience more than 4-6 episodes of exacerbations per year, the duration of pain is from 8 to 28 days, affecting an average of 4 (3; 6) localizations, using more descriptors (p < 0.001, p = 0.013, p = 0.014, p=0.017, p=0.002 resp.), more likely to suffer from headaches and cervicalgia (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001 resp.), use on average 4 (2; 5) drug group for pain relief (p = 0.004). Among patients with premorbid psychosocial stressors the proportion of women is 6.5 times higher (p < 0.001). A significantly greater number of patients with sleep disorders and anxiety were identified in group I (p < 0.001, p = 0.009 respectively), the total score in assessing fatigue was 24 (19; 39) points which corresponds to moderate fatigue (p = 0.009). The average stress score on the Holmes-Rahe scale was 80 (53; 102) (p < 0.001), the main stressful events are work-related problems. Direct statistically significant relationships between the level of stress and the characteristics of the pain syndrome were established the number of pain localizations, the intensity of pain, the number of descriptors (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The life quality index was 2 (2; 4) scores according to the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire which indicates   a decrease in the quality of life (p < 0.001) in group I. It was noted that the chances of stress onset of pain in an active lifestyle are 3.4 times lower (p = 0.012).Conclusion. Premorbid psychosocial stressors are markers of the severity of chronic pain and affective distress. At the same time premorbid psychosocial stressors can be considered a modifiable factor. If it is assessed and recognized in time, the development of chronic pain and associated affective distress can be eliminated and potentially prevented.