Chronic pain in individuals with spinal cord injury: a survey and longitudinal study

Abstract

Study design: Cross-sectional and longitudinal postal survey. Objectives: To (1) compare the severity of pain in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) to national norms, (2) examine the association between pain and measures of (a) psychological functioning, (b) community integration and (c) pain interference with daily activities, and (3) examine the change in the prevalence and intensity of pain over time. Setting: Community. Methods: A total of 147 adults with SCI were surveyed twice, 2-6 years apart. Main outcome measures included presence/absence of pain in general and at specific body sites, 0-10 numerical rating scale of average pain intensity, modified Brief Pain Inventory Pain Interference scale, SF-36 Bodily Pain scale, SF-36 Mental Health scale, Community Integration Questionnaire. Results: Pain was more severe, on average, in this sample of patients with SCI than it is in normative samples. The presence of pain was associated with trends towards poorer psychological functioning and social integration, and the intensity of pain was associated with interference with a number of important basic activities of daily living. Little systematic change was found in pain over a 2-6-year-period, although there was evidence that the prevalence of shoulder pain increases over time. Conclusion: The current findings underscore the serious nature of pain in persons with SCI and provide additional support for the need to identify effective treatments for SCI-related pain.Spinal Cord (2005) 43, 704-712.

Intensity of pain and biochemical changes in blood plasma in spinal cord trauma

“…When comparing age and weight of patients, there were no differences between those whose injuries were caused by jumps into water, jumps from high places, car accidents or biking accidents (age: KW (3,42) ¼ 2.88, P ¼ 0.41; weight: KW (3,36) …”

“…1,2 Clinical studies in patients with spinal cord injuries mostly deal with the consequences of long-term immobilization and development of chronic pain. 3 However, the situation immediately after injury is different, as the levels of plasma lipids represented by total cholesterol are, on the contrary, relatively low.…”

Secondary health conditions in individuals aging with SCI: Terminology, concepts and analytic approaches

“…This model hypothesizes that both disability factors, such as the presence of impairment or significant restrictions in activity or participation, as well as age-related factors (such as chronological age, age at disability onset, disability inception era and duration of disability), can have direct effects on the development and trajectory of SHCs. The model also hypothesizes that disability and age-related variables can influence the effects of 38,39 Chronic pain 40 Constipation 41 Contractures 27 Deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism 42 Depression 42 Fractures 27 Heterotopic ossification 43 Imobilization hypercalcemia 44 Insomnia/sleep difficulties 37 Kidney stones 18,27 Neurogenic bladder 45 Neurogenic bowel 46 Non-urinary tract infections 27 Obesity 29 Osteoporosis/Bone density loss 15,17,29 Pressure sores 18,41 Restrictive lung disease 47 Septicemia 41 Sexual dysfunction 48,49 Sleep apnea 50 …”

Parameters for positive outcome of the in-hospital rehabilitation of spinal cord lesion patients: the Boberg Quality Score

“…2,1,[3][4][5][6][7] Other studies focus on the importance of related symptoms such as pain, psychosocial problems and loss of energy in the rehabilitation patient or the compliance of the patient is seen as a main outcome factor. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Studies researching the social reintegration mainly focus on occupational situation, living conditions and quality of life. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] A multi-dimensionally measuring test device, internationally usable and applicable for inpatients as well as outpatients is thereby currently lacking.…”