Effects of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain on Fertility Potential in Lean and Overweight Male Patients

Both chronic pain and obesity are known to affect reproductive hormone profiles in male patients. However, the effect of these conditions, alone or in combination, on male fertility potential has received less attention. 20 chronic musculoskeletal pain patients and 20 healthy controls were divided into lean and overweight subgroups according to their BMI. Current level of chronic pain (visual analogue scale) and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in 16 predefined sites, classically described and tested as painful points on the lower body, were measured. Levels of reproductive hormone and lipid profiles were assessed by ELISA. Sperm concentration and motility parameters were analyzed using a computer-aided sperm analysis system. Sperm concentration, progressive motility, and percentage of hyperactivated sperm were generally lower in the chronic pain patients in both lean and overweight groups. The overweight control and the lean chronic pain groups demonstrated a significantly lower percentage of progressively motile sperm compared with the lean control group, suggesting that musculoskeletal chronic pain may have a negative influence on sperm quality in lean patients. However, due to the potential great negative influence of obesity on the sperm parameters, it is difficult to propose if musculoskeletal chronic pain also influenced sperm quality in overweight patients. Further research in chronic pain patients is required to test this hypothesis.

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The link between chronic musculoskeletal pain and sperm quality in overweight orthopedic patients

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.04.015 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 169-169

Author(s):

F. Dardmeh ◽

H. Alipour ◽

H.I. Nielsen ◽

S. Rasmussen ◽

G. Van Der Horst ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Kinematic Parameters ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Chronic Pain Patients ◽

Fertility Potential ◽

Pain Patients

Abstract Aims The association between low fertility potential and an overweight is well recognized. In addition, a link between pain and overweight condition has been identified. However, it is not known whether overweight pain patients present any alterations in fertility potentials. Hence, the current study provided a profounder vision into the possible relation between an overweight condition, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and fertility potential in overweight male patients. Methods This “observational study” was based on 10 overweight chronic pain patients (OP and 10 healthy matched controls (OC) from the referrals to the orthopedic department at Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. The study was approved by the regional Ethics Committee of the Northern Jutland, Denmark and conducted from June 2014 to December 2015. Semen samples were obtained from all participants and assessed for sperm concentration, motility, and kinematic parameters with the Sperm Class Analyzer (SCA®, Spain). Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were also measured by a handheld pressure algometer in 16 pre-defined points of the subjects in both groups. Results The OP group demonstrated a decline in PPT values compared to the (OC); however, difference between the two was insignificant. But, the OP group showed a lower percentage of static and non-progressive motile sperm (P < 0.05). The sperm kinematic parameters (progressive motility, VCL, VSL, VAP and BCF) also demonstrated a lower trend in OP group in comparison with the controls. Conclusions This study presented that sperm quality declines in overweight chronic pain patients. Since the control group consisted of pain free overweight individuals, we propose that chronic musculoskeletal pain could potentially affect sperm quality, distinct from what an overweight alone does to the male fertility potential. However, further investigation in overweight chronic pain patients of different types is required before a general conclusion can be made. In addition, mechanisms underlying such effects need further clarification.

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The relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain, anxiety and mindfulness: Adjustments to the Fear-Avoidance Model of Chronic Pain

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.08.006 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 156-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Katherine B. Curtin ◽

Deborah Norris

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Pain Catastrophizing ◽

Pain Severity ◽

Fear Avoidance ◽

Pain Anxiety ◽

Fear Avoidance Model ◽

Chronic Pain Patients ◽

The Relationship ◽

Pain Patients

AbstractBackground and purposeThe Fear-Avoidance Model of Chronic Pain proposed by Vlaeyen and Linton states individuals enter a cycle of chronic pain due to predisposing psychological factors, such as negative affectivity, negative appraisal or anxiety sensitivity. They do not, however, address the closely related concept of anxious rumination. Although Vlaeyen and Linton suggest cognitive-behavioral treatment methods for chronic pain patients who exhibit pain-related fear, they do not consider mindfulness treatments. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP), ruminative anxiety and mindfulness to determine if (1) ruminative anxiety is a risk factor for developing chronic pain and (2) mindfulness is a potential treatment for breaking the cycle of chronic pain.MethodsMiddle-aged adults ages 35-50 years (N = 201) with self-reported CMP were recruited online. Participants completed standardized questionnaires assessing elements of chronic pain, anxiety, and mindfulness.ResultsRuminative anxiety was positively correlated with pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear and avoidance, pain interference, and pain severity but negatively correlated with mindfulness. High ruminative anxiety level predicted significantly higher elements of chronic pain and significantly lower level of mindfulness. Mindfulness significantly predicted variance (R2) in chronic pain and anxiety outcomes. Pain severity, ruminative anxiety, pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear and avoidance, and mindfulness significantly predicted 70.0% of the variance in pain interference, with pain severity, ruminative anxiety and mindfulness being unique predictors.ConclusionsThe present study provides insight into the strength and direction of the relationships between ruminative anxiety, mindfulness and chronic pain in a CMP population, demonstrating the unique associations between specific mindfulness factors and chronic pain elements.ImplicationsIt is possible that ruminative anxiety and mindfulness should be added into the Fear-Avoidance Model of Chronic Pain, with ruminative anxiety as a psychological vulnerability and mindfulness as an effective treatment strategy that breaks the cycle of chronic pain. This updated Fear-Avoidance Model should be explored further to determine the specific mechanism of mindfulness on chronic pain and anxiety and which of the five facets of mindfulness are most important to clinical improvements. This could help clinicians develop individualized mindfulness treatment plans for chronic pain patients.

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Age-Dependent Opioid Escalation in Chronic Pain Patients

Yearbook of Anesthesiology and Pain Management ◽

10.1016/s1073-5437(08)70477-7 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 233

Author(s):

S.E. Abram

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Chronic Pain Patients ◽

Age Dependent ◽

Pain Patients

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Pain Influences Several Levels of Attention

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024/1016-264x.16.4.235 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 235-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Astrid von Bueren Jarchow ◽

Bogdan P. Radanov ◽

Lutz Jäncke

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Divided Attention ◽

Covert Attention ◽

Attention Task ◽

Attentional Deficits ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Chronic Pain Patients ◽

Divided Attention Task ◽

Pain Stimuli ◽

Pain Patients

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine to what extent chronic pain has an impact on various attentional processes. To measure these attention processes a set of experimental standard tests of the “Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung” (TAP), a neuropsychological battery testing different levels of attention, were used: alertness, divided attention, covert attention, vigilance, visual search, and Go-NoGo tasks. 24 chronic outpatients and 24 well-matched healthy control subjects were tested. The control subjects were matched for age, gender, and education. The group of chronic pain patients exhibited marked deficiencies in all attentional functions except for the divided attention task. Thus, the data supports the notion that chronic pain negatively influences attention because pain patients` attention is strongly captivated by the internal pain stimuli. Only the more demanding divided attention task has the capability to distract the focus of attention to the pain stimuli. Therefore, the pain patients are capable of performing within normal limits. Based on these findings chronic pain patients' attentional deficits should be appropriately evaluated and considered for insurance and work related matters. The effect of a successful distraction away from the pain in the divided attention task can also open new therapeutic aspects.

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