The relationship between psychological distress and multiple tender points across the adult lifespan

Abstract

HighlightsGreater psychological distress is associated with higher tender point count.Age does not change the relationship once co-morbidities are accounted for.Poor sleep quality is associated with high tender point count.Female sex is also associated with high tender point count.

Central sensitization predicts greater fatigue independently of musculoskeletal pain

“…Data were obtained from 2477 participants enrolled in the Pain Across the Adult Life Span (PAALS) study. Data collection methods have been described elsewhere [16], but briefly, PAALS was a prospective population-based cohort study of adults in the north of England. At baseline, participants completed a postal questionnaire that included information about fatigue, pain, demographics, lifestyle factors and mental health (response rate 73% (2477/3379)).…”

Traits associated with central pain augmentation in the Knee Pain In the Community (KPIC) cohort

“…Individual differences in distinct observable traits (phenotypes), measured by questionnaires addressing depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, neuropathic- like pain, or widespread pain (WSP), have been associated with knee pain severity 10, 16, 35, 39, 62, 67, 68. Each of these traits might also be associated with markers of central pain mechanisms 6, 7, 36, 45, 46, 49, 51, 62, 71. High scores on these questionnaires, and low PPTs, have each predicted poor outcome following treatment directed to the painful joint,2, 59, 60, 79, 80 raising the possibility that treatments directed to central pain mechanisms might be useful for those patients.…”

Introductory Chapter: A Challenge to the Concept that Inflammation Plays a Prominent Pathogenic Role in Fibromyalgia

“…The prevalence of depression in FMS has been estimated to range from 20 to 80% in a detailed review [39]. Furthermore, the severity of comorbid depression correlates with FMS severity measures [40][41][42]. We have reported that depression, with a 73% prevalence, correlated better with core FMS symptoms than did any other variable in a cohort of 305 FMS patients [43].…”

“…Higher subjective signs and symptoms then inflate the DAS. It is important to note that concomitant FMS and depression in RA are not associated with obvious, clinically significant increases of CRP or erythrocyte sedimentation rate [42,62,65].…”