Patients with symptomatic permanent atrial fibrillation show quantitative signs of pain sensitisation

ObjectiveMost patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) report symptoms, while one-third are asymptomatic. We hypothesised that sensory processing, in particular pain, differs in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic AF.MethodsThirty individuals with permanent AF (15 symptomatic and 15 asymptomatic) completed the Atrial Fibrillation 6 (AF6) and short form 36 Health Survey questionnaires and underwent quantitative pain sensitisation testing using pressure algometry at the sternum (referred pain area) and the tibialis anterior muscle (generalised pain area). The primary objective was to assess differences in pressure pain thresholds (PPT), temporal summation of pain (TSP) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in the two groups. The secondary objective was to determine association of demographic and clinical parameters to measures of pain sensitisation.ResultsThe symptomatic group had lower PPTs at both tibialis (p=0.004) and sternum (p=0.01), and impaired CPM (p=0.025) and facilitated TSP (p=0.008) at the tibialis but not sternum, compared with the asymptomatic group. The AF6 sum score was negatively correlated to PPT on both tibialis (r=−0.50, p=0.005) and sternum (r=−0.42, p=0.02) and positively correlated to TSP on both tibialis (r=0.57, p=0.001) and sternum (r=0.45, p=0.01), but not to CPM. The physical component summary score was positively correlated to the PPT on both tibialis (r=0.52, p=0.003) and sternum (r=0.40, p=0.03) and negatively to TSP on the tibialis (r=−0.53, p=0.003) but not sternum.ConclusionsPatients with symptomatic AF exhibit lower pain tolerance than patients with asymptomatic AF, as well as impaired pain inhibitory control and facilitated summation of pain, indicating that pain sensitisation may be of importance in symptomatic AF.Trial registration numberNCT04649437.

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Patients with symptomatic permanent atrial fibrillation show quantitative signs of pain sensitisation

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.0416 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A Jackson ◽

O Frobert ◽

D Boye Larsen ◽

L Arendt-Nielsen ◽

A Bjorkenheim

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Pain Tolerance ◽

Asymptomatic Group ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Pain Area ◽

Pain Sensitisation

Abstract Background/Introduction Most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) report symptoms, while around one-third are asymptomatic. We hypothesized that sensory processing, in particular pain, differs in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic AF. Purpose To assess differences in pain sensitisation in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic AF. Methods Thirty individuals with permanent AF (15 symptomatic, 15 asymptomatic) completed the AF6 and SF-36 questionnaires and underwent quantitative pain sensitisation testing using pressure algometry at the sternum (referred pain area) and the tibialis anterior muscle (generalized pain area). The primary objective was to assess differences in pressure pain thresholds (PPT), temporal summation of pain (TSP), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in the two groups. The secondary objective was to determine association of demographic and clinical parameters to quantitative measures of pain sensitisation. Results The symptomatic group had lower PPTs at both tibialis (p=0.004) and sternum (p=0.01), as well as impaired CPM (p=0.025) and facilitated TSP (p=0.008) at the tibialis but not sternum, compared to the asymptomatic group. The AF6 sum score was negatively correlated to PPT on both tibialis (r=−0.50, p=0.005) and sternum (r=−0.42, p=0.02) and positively correlated to TSP of both tibialis (r=0.57, p=0.001) and sternum (r=0.45, p=0.01), but not to CPM. The physical component summary score was positively correlated to the PPT on both tibialis (r=0.52, p=0.003) and sternum (r=0.40, p=0.03) and negatively to TSP on the tibialis (r=−0.53, p=0.003) but not sternum. Conclusions Patients with symptomatic AF exhibit lower pain tolerance than patients with asymptomatic AF, as well as impaired pain inhibitory control and facilitated summation of pain, indicating that pain sensitisation may be of importance in symptomatic AF. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Department of Cardiology, Örebro University, Sweden PPTs tibialis anterior muscle PPTs sternum

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Central inhibition of pain is augmented in women with self-injurious behavior

10.1101/2021.05.12.21257091 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Lalouni ◽

Jens Fust ◽

Johan Bjureberg ◽

Granit Kastrati ◽

Robin Fondberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporal Summation ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Pain Tolerance ◽

Conditioned Pain Modulation ◽

Heat Pain ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Down Regulation ◽

Pain Thresholds ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds

Individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) have demonstrated higher pain thresholds and tolerance compared with individuals without NSSI. The objective of the study was to assess which aspects of the pain regulatory system that account for this augmented pain perception. In a cross-sectional design, 81 women, aged 18-35 (mean [SD] age, 23.4 [3.9]), were included (41 with NSSI and 40 healthy controls). A quantitative sensory testing protocol, including heat pain thresholds, heat pain tolerance, pressure pain thresholds, conditioned pain modulation (assessing central down-regulation of pain), and temporal summation (assessing facilitation of pain signals) was used. Thermal pain stimuli were assessed during fMRI scanning and NSSI behaviors and clinical symptoms were self-assessed. NSSI participants demonstrated higher pain thresholds during heat and pressure pain compared to controls. During conditioned pain modulation, NSSI participants showed a more effective central down-regulation of pain for NSSI participants. Temporal summation did not differ between the groups. There were no correlations between pain outcomes and NSSI behaviors or clinical characteristics. The fMRI analyses revealed increased activity in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex in NSSI participants, compared to healthy controls, which are brain regions implicated in sensory aspects of pain processing. The findings suggest segregated inhibitory mechanisms for pain and emotion in NSSI, as pain insensitivity was linked to enhanced inhibitory control of pain in spite of significant impairments in emotion regulation. This may represent an endophenotype associated with a greater risk for developing self-injurious behavior.

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High concurrent validity between digital and analogue algometers to measure pressure pain thresholds in healthy participants and people with migraine: a cross-sectional study

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-021-01278-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

René F. Castien ◽

Michel W. Coppieters ◽

Tom S. C. Durge ◽

Gwendolyne G. M. Scholten-Peeters

Keyword(s):

Concurrent Validity ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Cephalic Region ◽

Limits Of Agreement ◽

Temporal Muscle ◽

Pain Thresholds ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Healthy Participants

Abstract Background Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) are commonly assessed to quantify mechanical sensitivity in various conditions, including migraine. Digital and analogue algometers are used, but the concurrent validity between these algometers is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the concurrent validity between a digital and analogue algometer to determine PPTs in healthy participants and people with migraine. Methods Twenty-six healthy participants and twenty-nine people with migraine participated in the study. PPTs were measured interictally and bilaterally at the cephalic region (temporal muscle, C1 paraspinal muscles, and trapezius muscle) and extra-cephalic region (extensor carpi radialis muscle and tibialis anterior muscle). PPTs were first determined with a digital algometer, followed by an analogue algometer. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3.1) and limits of agreement were calculated to quantify concurrent validity. Results The concurrent validity between algometers in both groups was moderate to excellent (ICC3.1 ranged from 0.82 to 0.99, with 95%CI: 0.65 to 0.99). Although PPTs measured with the analogue algometer were higher at most locations in both groups (p < 0.05), the mean differences between both devices were less than 18.3 kPa. The variation in methods, such as a hand-held switch (digital algometer) versus verbal commands (analogue algometer) to indicate when the threshold was reached, may explain these differences in scores. The limits of agreement varied per location and between healthy participants and people with migraine. Conclusion The concurrent validity between the digital and analogue algometer is excellent in healthy participants and moderate in people with migraine. Both types of algometer are well-suited for research and clinical practice but are not exchangeable within a study or patient follow-up.

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A novel clinical applicable bed-side tool for assessing conditioning pain modulation: proof-of-concept

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1515/sjpain-2020-0033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 801-807

Author(s):

Lars Arendt-Nielsen ◽

Jesper Bie Larsen ◽

Stine Rasmussen ◽

Malene Krogh ◽

Laura Borg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pain Modulation ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Finger Nail ◽

Tonic Stimulus ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Custom Made ◽

The Individual ◽

Descending Pain Modulation ◽

Finger Pressure

AbstractBackground and aimsIn recent years, focus on assessing descending pain modulation or conditioning pain modulation (CPM) has emerged in patients with chronic pain. This requires reliable and simple to use bed-side tools to be applied in the clinic. The aim of the present pilot study was to develop and provide proof-of-concept of a simple clinically applicable bed-side tool for assessing CPM.MethodsA group of 26 healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed as test stimuli from the lower leg before, during and 5 min after delivering the conditioning tonic painful pressure stimulation. The tonic stimulus was delivered for 2 min by a custom-made spring-loaded finger pressure device applying a fixed pressure (2.2 kg) to the index finger nail. The pain intensity provoked by the tonic stimulus was continuously recorded on a 0–10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS).ResultsThe median tonic pain stimulus intensity was 6.7 cm (interquartile range: 4.6–8.4 cm) on the 10 cm VAS. The mean PPT increased significantly (P = 0.034) by 55 ± 126 kPa from 518 ± 173 kPa before to 573 ± 228 kPa during conditioning stimulation. When analyzing the individual CPM responses (increases in PPT), a distribution of positive and negative CPM responders was observed with 69% of the individuals classified as positive CPM responders (increased PPTs = anti-nociceptive) and the rest as negative CPM responders (no or decreased PPTs = Pro-nociceptive). This particular responder distribution explains the large variation in the averaged CPM responses observed in many CPM studies. The strongest positive CPM response was an increase of 418 kPa and the strongest negative CPM response was a decrease of 140 kPa.ConclusionsThe present newly developed conditioning pain stimulator provides a simple, applicable tool for routine CPM assessment in clinical practice. Further, reporting averaged CPM effects should be replaced by categorizing volunteers/patients into anti-nociceptive and pro-nociceptive CPM groups.ImplicationsThe finger pressure device provided moderate-to-high pain intensities and was useful for inducing conditioning stimuli. Therefore, the finger pressure device could be a useful bed-side method for measuring CPM in clinical settings with limited time available. Future bed-side studies involving patient populations are warranted to determine the usefulness of the method.

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Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Painful Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Case Report

Pain Management Case Reports ◽

10.36076/pmcr.2021.5.201 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 201-204

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Peripheral Nerve ◽

Knee Pain ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Short Form ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation ◽

Osteoarthritis Of The Knee ◽

Osteoarthritic Knee

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritic knee (OAk) pain is common, yet the standard of care often yields unsatisfactory pain relief. There remains a role for novel treatment options. Percutaneous motor peripheral nerve stimulation (mPNS) of the knee is a novel minimally invasive procedure that stimulates motor end points leading to muscle contraction associated with the painful joint. Pain relief is hypothesized to be achieved through central pain modulation. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a patient who experienced refractory osteoarthritic knee pain after 9 months of conservative care. Following 7 weeks of mPNS treatment, the patient achieved improvement in OAk pain relief and activities of daily living as measured by notable improvements in the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score at 8- and 12-weeks postimplant. The Patient Global Impression of Change at the end of stimulation was much improved. CONCLUSION: Motor PNS may offer a safe and effective treatment alternative for chronic refractory pain related to OAk. KEY WORDS: Osteoarthritis, knee, pain, peripheral nerve stimulation

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An Exploratory Study of Endogenous Pain Modulatory Function in Patients Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnz058 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (11) ◽

pp. 2198-2207 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christopher Carey ◽

Jonathan Saxe ◽

Fletcher A White ◽

Kelly M Naugle

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Conditioned Pain Modulation ◽

Pain Thresholds ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Headache Pain ◽

Pain Inhibition

AbstractBackground. Recent animal research suggests that mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) facilitates abnormal endogenous modulation of pain, potentially underlying the increased risk for persistent headaches following injury. However, no human studies have directly assessed the functioning of endogenous facilitory and inhibitory systems in the early stages after an mTBI. Objective. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine trigeminal sensitization and endogenous pain inhibitory capacity in mTBI patients in the acute stage of injury compared with matched controls. We also examined whether post-traumatic headache pain intensity within the mTBI sample was related to sensitization and pain inhibitory capacity. Methods. Twenty-four mTBI patients recruited from emergency departments and 21 age-, race-, and sex-matched controls completed one experimental session. During this session, participants completed quantitative sensory tests measuring trigeminal sensitization (pressure pain thresholds and temporal summation of pain in the head) and endogenous pain inhibition (conditioned pain modulation). Participants also completed validated questionnaires measuring headache pain, depression, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing. Results. The results revealed that the mTBI group exhibited significantly decreased pressure pain thresholds of the head and decreased pain inhibition on the conditioned pain modulation test compared with the control group. Furthermore, correlational analysis showed that the measures of trigeminal sensitization and depression were significantly associated with headache pain intensity within the mTBI group. Conclusions. In conclusion, mTBI patients may be at risk for maladaptive changes to the functioning of endogenous pain modulatory systems following head injury that could increase risk for post-traumatic headaches.

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How Much Is Needed? Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Pain Education Dosages in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnz069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 782-793 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Juan J Amer-Cuenca ◽

Daniel Pecos-Martín ◽

Patricia Martínez-Merinero ◽

Enrique Lluch Girbés ◽

Jo Nijs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

High Dose ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Nociceptive Processing ◽

Biomedical Education

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of different dosages of pain neuroscience education (PNE) programs on central nociceptive processing in patients with fibromyalgia. Second, to compare the effects of different dosages of PNE programs on numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), disability, and psychological variables.DesignSingle-blind randomized controlled trial.SettingThree fibromyalgia centers in Spain (Valencia, Alcorcón, Alcalá de Henares).SubjectsSeventy-seven patients with fibromyalgia.MethodsParticipants were randomized to four groups of PNE: 1) high-dose PNE (N = 20), 2) low–concentrated dose PNE (N = 20), 3) diluted low-dose PNE (N = 20), and (4) control treatment (N = 17), conducted in two 30–50-minute sessions in groups of four to six participants. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation (TS), and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at baseline and at three-month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale.ResultsThere were significant between-group differences for NPRS in favor of the groups receiving high-dose PNE, with a large effect size at three-month follow-up (P < 0.01, η2p = 0.170), but there were no significant differences between groups for the remaining variables (P > 0.05). All groups improved for central nociceptive processing, psychological variables, disability, and pain intensity (NPRS).ConclusionsIn patients with fibromyalgia, higher dosages of PNE produced a larger improvement in pain severity at three-month follow-up than other dosages of PNE and biomedical education. However, PNE was not superior to biomedical education in the central nociceptive processing, disability, or psychological variables in patients with fibromyalgia.

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P101: Quality of life in patients discharged from the emergency department with atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF/AFL): a prospective cohort study

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2017.303 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (S1) ◽

pp. S112

Author(s):

S. Patrick ◽

P. Duke ◽

K. Lobay ◽

M. Haager ◽

B. Deane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Short Form ◽

Bodily Pain ◽

Emergency Physicians ◽

Health Related Qol ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Following an emergency department (ED) presentation for acute atrial fibrillation and/or flutter (AF/AFL), patients often experience anxiety, depression and impaired health-related quality of life (QoL). Emergency physicians may prescribe appropriate thrombo-embolic (TE) prophylaxis upon discharge; however, the QoL of these patients is unclear. This study measured the QoL of patients with AF/AFL following discharge to determine the factors associated with QoL. Methods: Patients ≥18 years of age identified by the attending physician as having a diagnosis of acute AF/AFL confirmed by ECG were prospectively enrolled from three Edmonton, AB EDs. Using standardized enrollment forms, trained research assistants collected data on patient demographics factors and management both in the ED and at discharge. Patients’ health-related QoL was assessed up to 20 days after their initial ED visit by a telephone interview based on six domains of the short-form 8 health survey. Results: From a total of 196 enrolled patients, 121 (62%) were male and the mean age was 63 years (standard deviation ±14). Most patients had previous history of AF/AFL (71%), and emergency physicians had the opportunity to treat or revise TE prevention therapy in 19% of the patients. The majority (89%) were discharged with prescriptions for antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents, and 188 (96%) were contacted by telephone at a median of 7 days. Most patients rated their overall health between good and excellent (70%); however, 30% assessed their health as fair or very poor. Many also reported having physical limitations (54%), difficulties completing their daily work (42%), bodily pain (32%) and limitations in social activities (32%). Finally, some patients reported having low energy (25%). At follow up, patients receiving adequate TE prevention rated their health to be similar to those without adequate TE prevention (30% vs 23%; p=0.534). Conclusion: Overall, patients with acute, symptomatic AF/AFL seen in the ED have impairments in health-related QoL following discharge from the ED. Many factors contribute to this impairment; however, providing patients with appropriate TE prophylaxis at discharge did not explain these findings. Further research is required to explore the impact of AF/AFL on patient’s health-related QoL after discharge from the ED.

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Influence of heart rate control on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-019-01293-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fei She ◽

Yuan Ma ◽

Yi Li ◽

Lei Li ◽

Weixian Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Exercise Capacity ◽

Rate Control ◽

Short Form ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Cardiopulmonary Exercise

Abstract Background The optimal level of heart rate (HR) control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. To assess the effect of rate control on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL) in permanent AF. Methods One hundred forty-three patients with permanent AF were enrolled in this study. All patients received rate control medications and were followed up for 1 year. After 1-year therapy, the exercise capacity and QoL were evaluated by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, respectively. Data were compared by dividing the patients according to the following criteria: (1) whether the resting HR was ≤80 or > 80 bpm; (2) whether the exercise HR during moderate exercises on CPET was ≤110 or > 110 bpm; and (3) whether the resting HR was ≤80 bpm and exercise HR was ≤110 bpm. Results No significant differences in peak oxygen uptake, peak metabolic equivalent, and anaerobic threshold were found between the strict control and lenient control groups. Both physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were significantly higher for the strict rate control group than for the lenient control group. The single-factor correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between resting HR and both PCS and MCS. The multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that both exercise HR and duration of AF linearly correlated with PCS and MCS. Conclusions Therefore, in patients with permanent AF, exercise capacity may not be affected by the stringency of rate control, and strict rate control may be associated with better QoL.

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The role of deficient pain modulatory systems in the development of persistent post-traumatic headaches following mild traumatic brain injury: an exploratory longitudinal study

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-020-01207-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kelly M. Naugle ◽

Christopher Carey ◽

Eric Evans ◽

Jonathan Saxe ◽

Ryan Overman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Pain Catastrophizing ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Conditioned Pain Modulation ◽

Mild Tbi ◽

Inhibitory Capacity ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Post Traumatic

Abstract Background Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is one of the most common and long-lasting symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the pathological mechanisms underlying the development of persistent PTH remain poorly understood. The primary purpose of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate whether early pain modulatory profiles (sensitization and endogenous pain inhibitory capacity) and psychological factors after mild TBI predict the development of persistent PTH in mild TBI patients. Methods Adult mild TBI patients recruited from Level I Emergency Department Trauma Centers completed study sessions at 1–2 weeks, 1-month, and 4-months post mild TBI. Participants completed the following outcome measures during each session: conditioned pain modulation to measure endogenous pain inhibitory capacity, temporal summation of pain and pressure pain thresholds of the head to measure sensitization of the head, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale, and a standardized headache survey. Participants were classified into persistent PTH (PPTH) and no-PPTH groups based on the 4-month data. Results The results revealed that mild TBI patients developing persistent PTH exhibited significantly diminished pain inhibitory capacity, and greater depression and pain catastrophizing following injury compared to those who do not develop persistent PTH. Furthermore, logistic regression indicated that headache pain intensity at 1–2 weeks and pain inhibitory capacity on the conditioned pain modulation test at 1–2 weeks predicted persistent PTH classification at 4 months post injury. Conclusions Overall, the results suggested that persistent PTH is characterized by dysfunctional alterations in endogenous pain modulatory function and psychological processes in the early stages following mild TBI, which likely exacerbate risk for the maintenance of PTH.

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