Predictive association between immigration status and chronic pain in the general population: results from the SwePain cohort

Abstract Background Previous studies suggest that immigration may influence the experience of pain. Objective This population-based study examines whether immigration status is associated with chronic pain (CP), chronic widespread pain (CWSP), and severe CP at a two-year follow-up. We also tested mediation by mood status (i.e., anxiety and depression). Methods 15, 563 participants from a representative stratified random sample of 34,000 individuals living in south-eastern Sweden completed a postal survey, during 2013–2015, that included the following data: immigration status; presence of CP (pain lasting at least 3 months) and CWSP (a modified classification of widespread pain for use in epidemiological studies); severity of CP based on a numeric rating scale; and depression, anxiety, economic situation, and sociodemographic information. We applied logistic regressions using the generalized estimating equations (GEE), with Swedish-born as the reference group and path analyses models. Results Compared to the Swedish-born participants (n = 14,093;90%), the immigrants (n = 1470;10%) had an elevated risk of all pain outcomes (CP: odds ratio [OR] = 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI = 1.04–1.33, CWSP: OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.15–1.69 and severe CP: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.23–1.87) after adjustments. Path analyses showed that baseline age, immigrant status, and financial hardship had a significant influence on chronic pain outcomes at follow-up with baseline mood status as the mediator. Immigration status was also associated with age and financial hardship. Conclusion Immigrants may have increased risk of chronic pain, widespread pain, and severe pain and this risk is mediated by mood status. Targeted interventions better tailored to the socio-economic and psychological status of immigrants with chronic pain are warranted.

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Sleep disturbance in patients attending specialized chronic pain clinics in Denmark: a longitudinal study examining the relationship between sleep and pain outcomes

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1515/sjpain-2020-0155 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Henrik Bjarke Vaegter ◽

Mette Terp Høybye ◽

Frederik Hjorth Bergen ◽

Christine E. Parsons

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Pain Disability ◽

Pain Clinics ◽

Pain Outcomes

Abstract Objectives Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in patients with chronic pain. However, the majority of studies to date examining sleep disturbances in patients with chronic pain have been population-based cross-sectional studies. The aims of this study were to 1) examine the frequency of sleep disturbances in patients referred to two interdisciplinary chronic pain clinics in Denmark, 2) explore associations between sleep disturbances and pain intensity, disability and quality of life at baseline and follow-up, and 3) explore whether changes in sleep quality mediated the relationships between pain outcomes at baseline and pain outcomes at follow-up. Methods We carried out a longitudinal observational study, examining patients enrolled in two chronic pain clinics assessed at baseline (n=2,531) and post-treatment follow-up (n=657). Patients reported on their sleep disturbances using the sleep quality subscale of the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire (KSQ), their pain intensity using 0–10 numerical rating scales, their pain-related disability using the Pain Disability Index (PDI), and quality of life using the EuroQol-VAS scale. The average time between baseline and follow-up was 207 days (SD=154). Results At baseline, the majority of patients reported frequent sleep disturbances. We found a significant association at baseline between self-reported sleep disturbances and pain intensity, pain-related disability, and quality of life, where greater sleep disturbance was associated with poorer outcomes. At follow-up, patients reported significant improvements across all pain and sleep outcomes. In two mediation models, we showed that changes in sleep disturbances from baseline to follow-up were significantly associated with (i) pain intensity at follow-up, and (ii) pain disability at follow-up. However, baseline pain intensity and disability scores were not associated with changes in sleep disturbances and, we did not find evidence for significant mediation of either pain outcome by changes in sleep disturbances. Conclusions Self-reported sleep disturbances were associated with pain outcomes at baseline and follow-up, with greater sleep disturbances associated with poorer pain outcomes. Changes in sleep quality did not mediate the relationships between baseline and follow-up scores for pain intensity and disability. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence confirming an association between sleep and chronic pain experience, particularly suggestive of a sleep to pain link. Our data following patients after interdisciplinary treatment suggests that improved sleep is a marker for a better outcome after treatment.

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Are sleep problems and non-specific health complaints risk factors for chronic pain? A prospective population-based study with 17 year follow-up

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.sjpain.2012.04.001 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 210-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Anne K. Nitter ◽

Are H. Pripp ◽

Karin Ø. Forseth

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Population Based ◽

Chronic Widespread Pain ◽

Health Complaints ◽

Widespread Pain ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Specific Health

AbstractIntroductionChronic musculoskeletal pain represents a significant health problem among adults in Norway. The prevalence of chronic pain can be up to 50% in both genders. However, the prevalence of chronic widespread pain is significantly higher in females than in males. Chronic widespread pain is seen as the end of a continuum of pain. There is rather sparse knowledge about the incidence of pain in initially pain free individuals and the course of self-reported pain over time. Moreover, little is known about risk factors for incidence of chronic pain or prognostic factors for the course of self-reported pain. We believe that such knowledge may contribute to develop strategies for treatment at an early stadium of the pain condition and thereby reduce the prevalence of chronic pain included chronic widespread pain.Aims of the studyThe aims of this study were threefold: (1) to calculate the incidence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain in a female cohort, (2) to describe the course of pain and (3) to investigate whether or not health complaints and sleep problems are predictive factors for onset of pain or prognostic factors for the course of pain.MethodsThis is a prospective population-based study of all women between 20 and 50 years who were registered in Arendal, Norway, in 1989 (N = 2498 individuals). A questionnaire about chronic pain (pain >3 months duration in muscles, joints, back or the whole body), modulating factors for pain, sleep problems and seven non-specific health complaints was mailed to all traceable women, in 1990 (N =2498), 1995 (n = 2435) and 2007 (n = 2261). Of these, 1338 responded on all three occasions. Outcome measures were presence and extent of chronic pain.ResultsThe prevalence of chronic pain was 57% in 1990 and 61% in 2007. From 1990 to 2007, 53% of the subjects changed pain category. The incidence of chronic pain in initially pain free individuals during follow-up was 44%, whereas the recovery rate was 25%. Impaired sleep quality predicted onset of chronic pain. There was a linear association between the number of health complaints and the incidence of chronic pain in initially pain free individuals. Equivalent results were found for persistence of pain and worsening of pain.ConclusionThe prevalence of chronic pain was rather stable throughout the follow-up period, but the prevalence of chronic widespread pain increased. Individual changes in pain extent occurred frequently. The presence of sleep disturbances and number of health complaints predicted onset, persistence and worsening of pain.ImplicationsSleep problems must be thoroughly addressed as a possible risk factor for onset or worsening of pain. Elimination of sleep problems in an early phase is an interesting approach in treating chronic pain. More research is needed to illuminate the possible pathogenetic relations between pain, non-specific health complaints, sleep problems and also depression.

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Mortality among persons experiencing musculoskeletal pain: a prospective study among Danish men and women

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-020-03620-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Teresa Holmberg ◽

Michael Davidsen ◽

Lau Caspar Thygesen ◽

Mikala Josefine Krøll ◽

Janne Schurmann Tolstrup

Keyword(s):

Pain Intensity ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Widespread Pain ◽

Men And Women ◽

Respiratory Mortality ◽

Discriminatory Accuracy ◽

Increased Risk ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Risk Of Cancer

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain affects many people worldwide and has a great impact on general health and quality of life. However, the relationship between MSK pain and mortality is not clear. This study aimed to investigate all-cause and cause-specific mortality in relation to self-reported MSK pain within the last 14 days, including spread of pain and pain intensity. Methods This prospective cohort study included a representative cohort of 4806 men and women aged 16+ years, who participated in a Danish MSK survey 1990–1991. The survey comprised questions on MSK pain, including spread of pain and pain intensity. These data were linked with the Danish Register of Causes of Death to obtain information on cause of death. Mean follow-up was 19.1 years. Cox regression analyses were performed with adjustment for potential confounders. Results In the study population (mean age 44.5 years; 47.9% men), 41.0% had experienced MSK pain within the last 14 days and 1372 persons died during follow-up. For both sexes, increased all-cause mortality with higher spread and intensity of MSK pain was observed; a high risk was observed especially for men with strong pain (HR = 1.66; 95% CI:1.09–2.53) and women with widespread pain (HR = 1.49; 95% CI:1.16–1.92). MSK pain within last 14 days yielded c-statistics of 0.544 and 0.887 with age added. Moreover, persons with strong MSK pain had an increased cardiovascular mortality, persons with moderate pain and pain in two areas had an increased risk of cancer mortality, and persons with widespread pain had an increased risk of respiratory mortality. Conclusions Overall, persons experiencing MSK pain had a higher risk of mortality. The increased mortality was not accounted for by potential confounders. However, when evaluating these results, it is important to take the possibility of unmeasured confounders into account as we had no information on e.g. BMI etc. Significance The present study provides new insights into the long-term consequences of MSK pain. However, the discriminatory accuracy of MSK pain was low, which indicates that this information cannot stand alone when predicting mortality risk.

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Absorbable Meshes in Inguinal Hernia Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Surgical Innovation ◽

10.1177/1553350617697849 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 289-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Stina Öberg ◽

Kristoffer Andresen ◽

Jacob Rosenberg

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Inguinal Hernia ◽

Hernia Repair ◽

Hernia Surgery ◽

Absorbable Mesh ◽

Inguinal Hernia Surgery ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Meta Analyses

Purpose. Absorbable meshes used in inguinal hernia repair are believed to result in less chronic pain than permanent meshes, but concerns remain whether absorbable meshes result in an increased risk of recurrence. The aim of this study was to present an overview of the advantages and limitations of fully absorbable meshes for the repair of inguinal hernias, focusing mainly on postoperative pain and recurrence. Methods. This systematic review with meta-analyses is based on searches in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Psychinfo. Included study designs were case series, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and non-RCTs. Studies had to include adult patients undergoing an inguinal hernia repair with a fully absorbable mesh. Results. The meta-analyses showed no difference in recurrence rates (median 18 months follow-up) and chronic pain rates (1 year follow-up) between absorbable- and permanent meshes. Crude chronic pain rates for the RCTs were 2.1% for the absorbable meshes and 7.6% for the permanent meshes. For the absorbable meshes, medial hernias were more susceptible for recurrence compared with lateral hernias ( P < .0005). None of the studies reported allergic reactions or other serious adverse events related to the absorbable mesh. Conclusions. Patients with an absorbable mesh seem to have less chronic pain following inguinal hernia surgery compared with permanent meshes, without increased risk of recurrence.

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Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Self-Efficacy Mediate Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program Outcomes at Posttreatment and Follow-Up

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnab271 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew E Schumann ◽

Brandon J Coombes ◽

Keith E Gascho ◽

Jennifer R Geske ◽

Mary C McDermott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Pain Catastrophizing ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Pain Outcomes ◽

Pain Symptoms

Abstract Background Decreasing pain catastrophizing and improving self-efficacy to self-manage chronic pain symptoms are important treatment targets in the context of interdisciplinary cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain. Greater pain catastrophizing has been shown to be associated with greater impact of pain symptoms on functioning, while conversely, greater pain self-efficacy has been associated with lower pain intensity and lower levels of disability. Objective To prospectively evaluate interdisciplinary cognitive behavioral therapy for pain outcomes, as well as to the mediating effects of both pain catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy on outcome. Methods Participants were 315 patients with chronic pain between April 2017 and April 2018 who completed a three-week interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program. Pain severity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, quality of life, and depressive symptom questionnaires, and measures of physical performance were assessed at pre- and posttreatment. Follow-up questionnaires were returned by 163 participants. Effect size and reliable change analyses were conducted from pre- to posttreatment and pretreatment to 6-month follow-up. Mediation analyses were conducted to determine the mediating effect of pain catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy on pain outcome. Results Significant improvements from pre- to posttreatment in pain outcomes were observed, and over 80% evidenced reliable change in at least one pain-relevant measure. Pain catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy mediated the relationship between changes in pain outcomes. Conclusions Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation is an effective treatment and decreasing pain catastrophizing and increasing pain self-efficacy can influence maintenance of treatment gains.

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High-dose Trigeminal Neuralgia Radiosurgery Associated with Increased Risk of Trigeminal Nerve Dysfunction

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1097/00006123-200107000-00008 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 58-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Bruce E. Pollock ◽

Loi K. Phuong ◽

Robert L. Foote ◽

Scott L. Stafford ◽

Deborah A. Gorman

Keyword(s):

Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽

Trigeminal Nerve ◽

Facial Pain ◽

Low Dose ◽

High Dose ◽

Additional Surgery ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Pain Outcomes ◽

Nerve Dysfunction

Abstract OBJECTIVE Stereotactic radiosurgery is being used with more frequency in the management of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. To improve facial pain outcomes, many centers have increased the prescribed radiation dose to the trigeminal nerve. METHODS Between April 1997 and December 1999, 68 patients underwent radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia with use of the Leksell gamma knife (Elekta Instruments, Norcross, GA) and a single 4-mm isocenter of radiation. Twenty-seven patients (40%) received 70 Gy (low dose) of irradiation and 41 patients (60%) received 90 Gy (high dose). The groups were similar with regard to age, sex, duration of pain, number of prior surgeries, and preexisting trigeminal deficits. The primary facial pain outcomes for analysis were excellent (pain-free, no medications) and good (pain-free, reduced medications). The mean length of follow-up after radiosurgery was 14.4 months (range, 2–36 mo). RESULTS At last follow-up examination, 11 (41%) of the 27 patients with low-dose radiosurgery remained pain-free compared with 25 (61%) of the 41 patients with high-dose radiosurgery (P = 0.17). Additional surgery was performed in 12 low-dose patients (44%) and 8 high-dose patients (20%) (P = 0.05). High-dose radiosurgery was associated with an increased rate of permanent trigeminal nerve dysfunction (54% versus 15%, P = 0.003). Bothersome dysesthesias occurred in 13 high-dose patients (32%), whereas only 1 low-dose patient had this complication (P = 0.01). Three high-dose patients (8%) developed corneal numbness after radiosurgery. Pain recurred with more frequency in patients not developing trigeminal nerve dysfunction after radiosurgery (9 of 22 patients, 41%) compared with those who sustained facial numbness, paresthesias, or dysesthesias (4 of 27 patients, 15%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION Higher doses of radiation may correlate with better facial pain outcomes after radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia. However, the incidence of significant trigeminal nerve dysfunction is markedly increased after radiosurgery for patients receiving high-dose radiosurgery. Because of the nonselective nature of this ablative technique, dose prescription should be limited to less than 90 Gy.

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Association between health care utilization and musculoskeletal pain. A 21-year follow-up of a population cohort

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1515/sjpain-2019-0143 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 533-543

Author(s):

Christina Emilson ◽

Pernilla Åsenlöf ◽

Ingrid Demmelmaier ◽

Stefan Bergman

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Health Care Utilization ◽

Female Gender ◽

Chronic Widespread Pain ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Widespread Pain ◽

Trajectory Group

AbstractBackground and aimsFew studies have reported the long-term impact of chronic pain on health care utilization. The primary aim of this study was to investigate if chronic musculoskeletal pain was associated with health care utilization in the general population in a 21-year follow-up of a longitudinal cohort. The secondary aim was to identify and describe factors that characterize different long-term trajectories of health care utilization.MethodsA prospective cohort design with a baseline sample of 2,425 subjects (aged 20–74). Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires, and three time points (1995, 2007, and 2016) were included in the present 21-year follow up study. Data on health care utilization were dichotomized at each time point to either high or low health care utilization. High utilization was defined as >5 consultations with at least one health care provider, or ≥1 consultation with at least 3 different health care providers during the last 12 months. Low health care utilization was defined as ≤5 consultations with one health care provider and <3 consultations with different health care providers. The associations between baseline variables and health care utilization in 2016 were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Five different trajectories for health care utilization were identified by visual analysis, whereof four of clinical relevance were included in the analyses.ResultsBaseline predictors for high health care utilization at the 21-year follow-up in 2016 were chronic widespread pain (OR: 3.2, CI: 1.9–5.1), chronic regional pain (OR:1.8, CI: 1.2–2.6), female gender (OR: 2.0, CI: 1.4–3.0), and high age (OR: 1.6, CI:0.9–2.9). A stable high health care utilization trajectory group was characterized by high levels of health care utilization, and a high prevalence of chronic pain at baseline and female gender (n = 23). A stable low health care utilization trajectory group (n = 744) was characterized by low health care utilization, and low prevalence of chronic pain at baseline. The two remaining trajectories were: increasing trajectory group (n = 108), characterized by increasing health care utilization, chronic pain at baseline and female gender, and decreasing trajectory group (n = 107) characterized by decreasing health care utilization despite a stable high prevalence of chronic pain over time.ConclusionsThe results suggest that chronic pain is related to long-term health care utilization in the general population. Stable high health care utilization was identified among a group characterized by female gender and a report of chronic widespread pain.ImplicationsThis cohort study revealed that chronic widespread pain predicted high health care utilization over a 21-year follow-up period. The results indicate the importance of early identification of musculoskeletal pain to improve the management of pain in the long run.

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The impact of Covid-19-related distress on general health, oral behaviour, psychosocial features, disability and pain intensity in a cohort of Italian patients with temporomandibular disorders

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0245999 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0245999

Author(s):

Giacomo Asquini ◽

Andrea Edoardo Bianchi ◽

Giulia Borromeo ◽

Matteo Locatelli ◽

Deborah Falla

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Temporomandibular Disorders ◽

Central Sensitization ◽

Facial Pain ◽

Psychological Status ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Oral Behaviour ◽

The Impact

This study aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 distress on psychological status, features of central sensitization and facial pain severity in people with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In this prospective cohort study, 45 adults (19 chronic, 26 acute/subacute TMD) were recruited prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Baseline assessment took place before the outbreak while a follow-up was performed immediately after the lockdown period. Multiple variables were investigated including age, gender, perceived life quality, sleep quality, anxiety and depression, coping strategies, central sensitization, pain intensity, pain-related disability and oral behaviour. COVID Stress Scales (CSS) were applied at follow-up to measure the extent of COVID-related distress. CSS were significantly higher in those with chronic TMDs compared to those with acute/subacute TMDs (p<0.05). In people with chronic TMD, the variation in anxiety and depression from baseline to follow-up was significantly correlated with scores on the CSS (r = 0.72; p = 0.002). Variations of the central sensitization inventory (r = 0.57; p = 0.020) and graded chronic pain scale (r = 0.59; p = 0.017) were significantly correlated with scores on the CSS. These initial findings indicate that people with chronic TMD were more susceptible to COVID-19 distress with deterioration of psychological status, worsening features of central sensitization and increased chronic facial pain severity. These findings reinforce the role of stress as a possible amplifier of central sensitization, anxiety, depression, chronic pain and pain-related disability in people with TMDs. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03990662.

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Medical cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer and cancer related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.n1034 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. n1034 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Li Wang ◽

Patrick J Hong ◽

Curtis May ◽

Yasir Rehman ◽

Yvgeniy Oparin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Physical Functioning ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Small Improvement

Abstract Objective To determine the benefits and harms of medical cannabis and cannabinoids for chronic pain. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycInfo, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Cannabis-Med, Epistemonikos, and trial registries up to January 2021. Study selection Randomised clinical trials of medical cannabis or cannabinoids versus any non-cannabis control for chronic pain at ≥1 month follow-up. Data extraction and synthesis Paired reviewers independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We performed random-effects models meta-analyses and used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence. Results A total of 32 trials with 5174 adult patients were included, 29 of which compared medical cannabis or cannabinoids with placebo. Medical cannabis was administered orally (n=30) or topically (n=2). Clinical populations included chronic non-cancer pain (n=28) and cancer related pain (n=4). Length of follow-up ranged from 1 to 5.5 months. Compared with placebo, non-inhaled medical cannabis probably results in a small increase in the proportion of patients experiencing at least the minimally important difference (MID) of 1 cm (on a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS)) in pain relief (modelled risk difference (RD) of 10% (95% confidence interval 5% to 15%), based on a weighted mean difference (WMD) of −0.50 cm (95% CI −0.75 to −0.25 cm, moderate certainty)). Medical cannabis taken orally results in a very small improvement in physical functioning (4% modelled RD (0.1% to 8%) for achieving at least the MID of 10 points on the 100-point SF-36 physical functioning scale, WMD of 1.67 points (0.03 to 3.31, high certainty)), and a small improvement in sleep quality (6% modelled RD (2% to 9%) for achieving at least the MID of 1 cm on a 10 cm VAS, WMD of −0.35 cm (−0.55 to −0.14 cm, high certainty)). Medical cannabis taken orally does not improve emotional, role, or social functioning (high certainty). Moderate certainty evidence shows that medical cannabis taken orally probably results in a small increased risk of transient cognitive impairment (RD 2% (0.1% to 6%)), vomiting (RD 3% (0.4% to 6%)), drowsiness (RD 5% (2% to 8%)), impaired attention (RD 3% (1% to 8%)), and nausea (RD 5% (2% to 8%)), but not diarrhoea; while high certainty evidence shows greater increased risk of dizziness (RD 9% (5% to 14%)) for trials with <3 months follow-up versus RD 28% (18% to 43%) for trials with ≥3 months follow-up; interaction test P=0.003; moderate credibility of subgroup effect). Conclusions Moderate to high certainty evidence shows that non-inhaled medical cannabis or cannabinoids results in a small to very small improvement in pain relief, physical functioning, and sleep quality among patients with chronic pain, along with several transient adverse side effects, compared with placebo. The accompanying BMJ Rapid Recommendation provides contextualised guidance based on this body of evidence. Systematic review registration https://osf.io/3pwn2

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Association between widespread pain and dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke: a cohort study from the Framingham Heart Study

Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine ◽

10.1136/rapm-2021-102733 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. rapm-2021-102733

Author(s):

Kanran Wang ◽

Hong Liu

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Framingham Heart Study ◽

Widespread Pain ◽

Dementia Risk ◽

Heart Study ◽

Alzheimer’S Disease Dementia

Background and objectiveChronic pain may be an early indicator of cognitive decline, but previous studies have not systematically examined the population-level associations between widespread pain and adverse cognitive outcomes and stroke. This study was designed to determine the association between widespread pain, a common subtype of chronic pain, and subsequent dementia, Alzheimer’s disease dementia and stroke.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used data from the US community-based Framingham Heart Study. Pain status was assessed at a single time point between 1990 and 1994. Widespread pain was determined based on the Framingham Heart Study pain homunculus. Dementia follow-up occurred across a median of 10 years (IQR, 6–13 years) for persons who were dementia free at baseline. Proportional hazard models examined associations between widespread pain and incident dementia, Alzheimer’s disease dementia and stroke.ResultsA total of 347 (14.1%) subjects fulfilled the criteria for widespread pain, whereas 2117 (85.9%) subjects did not. Of 188 cases of incident all-cause dementia, 128 were Alzheimer’s disease dementia. In addition, 139 patients suffered stroke during the follow-up period. After multivariate adjustment including age and sex, widespread pain was associated with 43% increase in all-cause dementia risk (HR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.92), 47% increase in Alzheimer’s disease dementia risk (HR: 1.47; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.20) and 29% increase in stroke risk (HR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.54). Comparable results were shown in the subgroup of individuals over 65 years old.ConclusionWidespread pain was associated with an increased incidence of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease dementia and stroke.Trial registration numberNCT00005121.

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