Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Coping among Methadone-Maintained Patients

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the association of pain catastrophizing and pain coping strategies with characteristic pain intensity (an average of worst, least, and typical pain intensity in the past week) and recent pain-related disability (an average of three measures of past week pain interference) in opioid dependent patients enrolled in a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) who reported recent pain. Design Cross-sectional survey. Patients One hundred and eight MMTP patients who reported recent pain. Measures Participants completed measures of demographics, pain status (i.e. “chronic severe pain” [pain lasting at least 6 months with at least moderate pain intensity or significant pain interference in the past week] vs. “some pain” [pain in the past week not meeting the threshold of chronic severe pain]), characteristic pain intensity, recent pain-related disability, somatization, depression, catastrophizing, and pain coping strategies. Results Catastrophizing explained a significant proportion of the variance in characteristic pain intensity (14%) and recent pain-related disability (11%) after controlling for demographics, pain status, somatization, and depression. Mirroring the findings of studies of non-opioid dependent chronic pain patients, greater catastrophizing was associated with greater pain intensity and increases in recent pain-related disability. On average, the chronic severe pain group reported higher levels of catastrophizing than the some pain group. Conclusion Consistent with studies of patients with chronic pain who are not opioid dependent, our findings emphasize the importance of assessing and addressing catastrophizing in MMTP patients with pain.

Pain Among High-Risk Patients on Methadone Maintenance Treatment

“…Furthermore, greater pain catastrophizing has been found to be associated with increased pain-related disability and greater pain intensity among MMT patients. 17 Additional research on pain-related disability among MMT patients is necessary given the limited amount of literature on this topic at present.…”

“…37 As per the definition of bingeing in previous studies, binge injection drug use was defined as any period of time within the previous six months from the time of interview during which any drugs were injected more frequently than usual. 16,17 All variables referred to activities or events in the six months prior to the participant’s interview, unless otherwise indicated.…”

Pain and Associated Substance Use among Opioid Dependent Individuals Seeking Office-Based Treatment with Buprenorphine-Naloxone: A Needs Assessment Study

“…18 Research findings point to the importance of assessing recent pain (i.e., pain experienced in the past week) as well as chronic pain among opioid dependent patients entering treatment. 2,19,20 Therefore, the aim of this needs assessment study was to examine the pain experiences of opioid dependent individuals seeking BNT. Specifically, we set out to examine, among those seeking BNT: (a) the prevalence of pain types (i.e., recent pain, chronic pain), (b) the characteristics of pain (intensity, frequency, duration, interference, location, and genesis), and (c) substance use to alleviate pain.…”

Pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance are associated with pain severity and interference among methadone‐maintained patients

“…Only one study to date has examined the association between pain catastrophizing and pain severity and painrelated disability among MMT patients (Garnet et al, 2011). The present study sought to replicate the findings of this previous study, which is crucial especially in light of the replication crisis in psychology research (Shrout & Rodgers, 2018).…”