European Journal of Pain最新文献

{"title":"Attenuation of Self-Induced Pain in Women With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Healthy Controls","authors":"Maria Lalouni, Jens Fust, Johan Bjureberg, Sebastian Blomé, William H. Thompson, Nitya Jayaram-Lindström, Eva Kosek, Clara Hellner, H. Henrik Ehrsson, Konstantina Kilteni, Karin B. Jensen","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70057","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) have a reduced pain sensitivity. Self-induced pain is attenuated compared with externally induced pain, and this phenomenon, sensory attenuation, could partly explain the insensitivity to pain in individuals with NSSI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The objective was to assess sensory attenuation in women with NSSI compared to controls. In total, 81 women aged 18–35 years, mean age 23.4 (SD = 3.9), with NSSI (<i>n</i> = 41) or controls (<i>n</i> = 40) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Self-induced and experimenter-induced pressure pain thresholds were assessed. Correlation tests assessed possible associations between sensory attenuation and NSSI frequency, NSSI duration and conditioned pain modulation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Across groups, the average self-induced pressure pain was 164.8 kPa (SE = 25.2, 95% CI = 114.8–214.7) higher than the average experimenter-induced pressure pain (<i>d</i> = 0.66). On average, NSSI participants displayed 106.7 kPa (SE = 42.9, 95% CI = 21.7–191.8) higher pressure pain thresholds than controls (<i>d</i> = 0.42), but there was no significant interaction effect for group (NSSI vs. controls) and condition (self-induced vs. experimenter-induced pain) (<i>p</i> = 0.102). However, a greater number of NSSI participants than controls were identified as exhibiting sensory attenuation (<i>p</i> = 0.022) when applying a threshold of ≥ 10% for sensory attenuation. Sensory attenuation correlated with conditioned pain modulation (tau = 0.17; <i>p</i> = 0.025), but not with NSSI frequency or duration.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sensory attenuation of self-induced pressure was more prevalent in participants with NSSI than in controls, but there was no evidence that sensory attenuation was related to NSSI frequency or duration. The correlation between the sensory attenuation and conditioned pain modulation may be an indication of mutual anti-nociceptive mechanisms.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Significance Statement</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sensory attenuation of self-induced pain was present in both participants with NSSI and controls, but a greater number of NSSI participants were identified as exhibiting sensory attenuation, applying a threshold of ≥ 10% for sensory attenuation. Sensory attenuation may facilitate NSSI behaviour because when pain is attenuated, the pain barrier ","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ejp.70057","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144244147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intermittent Hypoxia Triggers Glial Cell Activation, GluN2B Receptor Upregulation and Hyperalgesia in a Mouse Model of Sleep Apnea","authors":"Yen-Chin Liu,&nbsp;Bo-Ya Chiu,&nbsp;Kuan-Yi Tu,&nbsp;I-Chen Liu,&nbsp;Shiou-Lan Chen","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70039","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sleep apnea is a condition that disrupts physiological homeostasis, leading to neuronal dysfunction and triggering a cascade of neurobiological effects. Individuals with sleep apnea and related disturbances may experience increased anxiety and sensory dysfunction, though these phenomena remain underexplored.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this study, we used a mouse model to examine the effects of sleep apnea-induced intermittent hypoxia (IH) on sensory function and the mechanisms underlying chronic IH. Mice were exposed to chronic IH for 10 days to assess neuronal inflammation and neuronal plasticity changes in key areas such as the spinal cord and periaqueductal grey (PAG) to understand how IH alters sensory conduction pathways.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our analysis revealed that in mice exposed to IH, astrocytes and microglia were significantly upregulated in the dorsal and ventral horns of the lower spinal cord, accompanied by elevated cytokine levels (IL-1β and TNF-α), suggesting an inflammatory response. Moreover, a significant increase in astrocyte cells within the PAG was also found. Furthermore, chronic IH was associated with increased glutamate receptor subunit GluN2B expression in the spinal cord.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These findings collectively suggest that neuronal inflammation and alterations in synaptic plasticity are central to the development of hyperalgesia in IH-exposed mice. Our results provide crucial mechanistic insights into how IH can induce heightened pain sensitivity and underscore the importance of early therapeutic intervention to address sensory complications in patients with chronic sleep apnoea.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Significance Statement</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our study is the first to demonstrate that increased glial cells and elevated NMDA GluN2B expression in the spinal cord and PAG may drive sleep-related IH-induced hyperalgesia, linking sleep apnea to heightened pain sensitivity. Targeting central nervous system inflammation or GluN2B receptors could be crucial for mitigating the health impacts of sleep apnea.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144244793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Activation of NMDA Receptors in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Enhances Anxiety-Induced Behaviour and Antinociception, and Contributes to the Modulation of Pain-Facilitatory Descending Pathways","authors":"Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho,&nbsp;Diana Fonseca-Rodrigues,&nbsp;Ana Laura Silva,&nbsp;Josie Resende Torres da Silva,&nbsp;Norberto Cysne Coimbra,&nbsp;Filipa Pinto-Ribeiro","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70055","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is known to modulate glutamate-mediated fear-related defensive behaviours and nociceptive responses. However, its role in acute anxiety-related behaviours and associated antinociception remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of the ACC in anxiety-induced responses and its potential descending pathways influencing spinal nociceptive processing.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Male and female Wistar rats received microinjections of either vehicle or the NMDA receptor agonist N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA; 1 nmol) into area 24b (Cg1) of the ACC. Rats were then tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM) or open field (OF) tests, followed by the tail-flick test. In a separate experiment, anaesthetised rats were exposed to a thermal tail stimulus while undergoing electrophysiological recordings in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) after ACC activation with NMDA. In some cases, NMDA administration was preceded by microinjections of vehicle or the NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5 (1 nmol) into the dorsal periaqueductal grey (dPAG), a midbrain site involved in descending pain modulation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>NMDA-induced activation of ACC area 24b increased anxiety-related behaviours and antinociception in males during both EPM and OF testing. In females, this effect was observed only in the EPM test. In anaesthetised rats, ACC activation facilitated spinal nociception, an effect abolished by dPAG NMDA receptor blockade, suggesting a relay through this midbrain region.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>ACC activation enhances anxiety-related behaviour. While it promotes pronociception under anaesthesia, it induces antinociceptive effects in awake animals exposed to anxiogenic contexts.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144244148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cognitive Function in Patients With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: No Clear Impairment Found in a Select Patient Sample","authors":"Corinne van den Berg,&nbsp;Esther van den Berg,&nbsp;Frank J. P. M. Huygen,&nbsp;Jitske Tiemensma","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70046","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Given the impact of chronic pain on cognition, CRPS may affect specific cognitive functions. However, cognitive functioning is rarely assessed in CRPS, and previous studies have examined only limited domains. As a result, it remains unclear which cognitive functions are affected and whether impairments are CRPS-specific. This study comprehensively evaluates cognition in CRPS and compares it to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to determine whether cognitive dysfunction is specific to CRPS.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>All patients underwent a standardised cognitive assessment consisting of ten tests, evaluating the domains of memory, concentration, executive functioning, social cognition and performance validity. Standardised z-scores and proportion of low-performing patients (&lt; −1.5 SD from age-, sex- and education adjusted normative data) were examined. Both patient groups were compared with each other and the expected population proportion.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sixty-four patients (<i>n</i> = 39 CRPS and <i>n</i> = 25 CTS) with a mean age of 52.5 (range 20–81) were included. Compared with patients with CTS, patients with CRPS had significantly higher pain scores 24 h before and during the visit (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). All cognitive test results were similar between the two groups. Z-scores of both groups were comparable or better than the population norm. Furthermore, proportions of patients with Z-scores below −1.5 SD were similar or better than expected.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results consistently showed no cognitive impairment in either patient group. Both groups met or exceeded population norms on all tests. However, despite our clear results, attention should be paid to factors affecting cognition, like depression, anxiety and stress.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Significance Statement</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study explores the underexamined cognitive dysfunction in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Cognitive issues, often reported by CRPS patients, can add to the burden on daily life and quality of life (QoL) but are rarely assessed. By comparing CRPS with CTS, this research examines whether cognitive impairments are specific to CRPS. Identifying these issues may lead to targeted therapies addressing both pain and cognitive challenges, ultimately improving patient outcomes and QoL.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ejp.70046","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144190880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial Commitment to Trust and Integrity in Science: Implications for Pain and Anesthesiology Research","authors":"Tonya M. Palermo,&nbsp;Didier Bouhassira,&nbsp;Karen D. Davis,&nbsp;Hugh C. Hemmings Jr,&nbsp;Robert W. Hurley,&nbsp;Joel Katz,&nbsp;Jaideep J. Pandit,&nbsp;Theodore J. Price,&nbsp;Michael E. Schatman,&nbsp;Stephan K. W. Schwarz,&nbsp;Dennis C. Turk,&nbsp;Marc Van de Velde,&nbsp;Matthew D. Wiles,&nbsp;Tony L. Yaksh,&nbsp;David Yarnitsky","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70052","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;We are a group of journal editors&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt; dedicated to advancing discoveries and innovations in basic, translational, and clinical research across anesthesiology and pain-related disciplines, which play a crucial role in reducing the burden of pain, improving health, enhancing perioperative outcomes, and optimizing healthcare delivery. Across scientific disciplines, concerns have been raised about research quality and trustworthiness (Wallach et al. &lt;span&gt;2018&lt;/span&gt;; Ioannidis &lt;span&gt;2024&lt;/span&gt;). While these challenges are not unique to pain and anesthesiology research, we recognize this as a judicious opportunity to raise awareness and collaborate across our journals to align and strengthen initiatives to enhance research integrity, trust, and impact across our field.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a 2005 landmark paper, John Ioannidis concluded with the dramatic and troubling assertion that “most published research findings are false,” stimulating a large focus in the biomedical research community on understanding issues of integrity, reproducibility, and replication that continues to be relevant to this day (Ioannidis &lt;span&gt;2005&lt;/span&gt;). Indeed, there are many instances in which authors, institutions, funders, publishers and journals have failed to embody the core values that produce trustworthy science. The trustworthiness of research is affected by both intentional actions (e.g., fabrication and falsification of data, lack of rigor, image manipulation) and unintentional actions (e.g., inadequate oversight, awareness and understanding of both technical and scientific issues). Most concerning are instances of research misconduct including fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism sometimes revealed by failure to replicate or reproduce results, duplication of publications, a rise in the number of retractions (Hemmings and Shafer &lt;span&gt;2020&lt;/span&gt;; Audisio et al. &lt;span&gt;2022&lt;/span&gt;), and calls for larger numbers of papers to be retracted (e.g., Ioannidis &lt;span&gt;2024&lt;/span&gt;). In support of Ioannidis's disquiet, some reviews (e.g., Open Science Collaboration &lt;span&gt;2015&lt;/span&gt;; Camerer et al. &lt;span&gt;2018&lt;/span&gt;) report low replication rates of positive findings in the social and life sciences across clinical trials, epidemiological research, and molecular studies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In anesthesiology specifically, low agreement has been found between randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analytic findings for clinical pain interventions, where positive findings in meta-analyses were often not confirmed by subsequent large RCTs. For example, using individual patient data from RCTs published in &lt;i&gt;Anaesthesia&lt;/i&gt;, Carlisle (&lt;span&gt;2021&lt;/span&gt;) demonstrated that almost half of the databases had false data as detected from the duplication of figures, tables, and other data from published work; the duplication of data in the rows and columns of spreadsheets; impossible values; and incorrect data analytic strategies and calculations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Reproducibility, clinical validity, and ","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ejp.70052","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144190852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterisation of the Oral Microbiome in Women With Fibromyalgia: An Observational Case–Control Study","authors":"Sharon Erdrich,&nbsp;Thilini Jayasinghe,&nbsp;Momchilo Vuyisich,&nbsp;Ryan Toma,&nbsp;Ingrid Gelissen,&nbsp;Joanna E. Harnett","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70051","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Background&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder, associated with a range of symptoms, not least of which is chronic, widespread pain. Although several reports have brought the role of oral health in systemic diseases into recent focus, the oral microbiome in fibromyalgia is unexplored. The aim of this study was to compare oral health and the oral microbiome in women with fibromyalgia with that of age-matched controls.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;This observational case–control study recruited adult non-smoking, non-diabetic women meeting American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2016 fibromyalgia criteria and age-matched controls living in New Zealand. Metatranscriptomic data from salivary samples were evaluated for differences at phyla, genus and species level, with adjustment for age, BMI and added dietary sugar intake. Results were examined against self-reported oral health.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;No differences were seen in richness or diversity of oral species between the fibromyalgia (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 106) and control (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 52) groups. Women with fibromyalgia had significantly lower scores on measures of oral health, which were associated with subtle shifts in the core oral microbiome. Several oral genera were significantly correlated with oral health scores (&lt;i&gt;q&lt;/i&gt; ≤ 0.05). Higher relative abundance of the periopathogens &lt;i&gt;Prevotella denticola&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Solobacterium moorei&lt;/i&gt; was apparent in women with fibromyalgia.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Significant differences in oral health and the oral microbiome were seen in women with fibromyalgia. This novel discovery presents an intriguing hypothesis that invites deeper investigation into the interaction between oral health and the oral microbiome in this population, and whether these influence the aetiology and/or symptoms of fibromyalgia in women.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Significance&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;This study presents the first evidence of altered oral microbiome in women with fibromyalgia, revealing significant disparities in oral health and the microbiome. The observed overabundance of periopathogens and the underrepresentation of commensals compared to a control group suggest intriguing potential links between the oral microbiome and fibromyalgia symptoms. These findings indicate that enhancing oral health may have broader implications for disease management and lay a robust foundation for further exp","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ejp.70051","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144190650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Traumatic Experiences, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Chronic Pain in Northern Ireland","authors":"Kevin E. Vowles,&nbsp;Christina Mallett,&nbsp;Jason Brooks,&nbsp;Emma Berry,&nbsp;Danielle Rainey,&nbsp;Claire Briggs,&nbsp;Maura McCarron","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently comorbid and are associated with more significant pain-related disruption than chronic pain alone. It is not clear if these disruptions are due to traumatic experience or specific symptoms related to PTSD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This issue was evaluated in a large sample (<i>N =</i> 1367) of individuals with chronic pain presenting for treatment at an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation service. As a secondary objective, the comorbidity of chronic pain and PTSD in Northern Ireland (NI) was also examined given high regional prevalence rates. Participants completed a PTSD screening measure, along with measures of pain interference, social functioning, pain anxiety, pain self-efficacy, pain intensity and depression.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Screening indicated that 46.4% had never experienced a traumatic event, 22.5% had experienced a traumatic event but screened negative for PTSD and 31.1% screened positive for PTSD. Following identification of covariates, a Multivariate Analysis of Covariance examined differences in dependent measures by PTSD category, which yielded a similar pattern of results across measures. The group that screened positive for PTSD reported worse functioning and more disruptions in comparison to the other two PTSD groups, with the latter groups not differing on any measure.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These analyses indicate that poorer functioning was not associated with trauma exposure alone; rather, it was experienced in association with PTSD symptoms. Further, comorbidity rates of PTSD and chronic pain in this NI dwelling sample were at the high end of the range in relation to previous work and exceeded past year regional prevalence estimates.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Significance</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>PTSD assessment in those with chronic pain may be best served by evaluating the impact of these experiences on function, rather than focusing on the traumatic experiences in isolation. Further, there is scope to develop integrated chronic pain and PTSD treatments.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ejp.70044","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144171889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elucidating the Significance of Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide as a Novel Candidate for Postoperative Pain Recovery in a Murine Model","authors":"Jorge Luiz Dallazen,&nbsp;Larissa Gonzaga Santos,&nbsp;Simone Aparecida Teixeira,&nbsp;Gilberto De Nucci,&nbsp;Marcelo Nicolás Muscará,&nbsp;Soraia Katia Pereira Costa","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is proposed to be a key regulator of inflammatory diseases; however, its role in the complex and often inadequately managed pathophysiology of postoperative pain is frequently mishandled. This study was undertaken to elucidate the role of endogenous H₂S in the recovery of nociceptive thresholds using a mouse model of postoperative pain.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Male BALB/c mice (6–7 weeks) underwent sham or plantar incision surgery (PIS). Thermal and mechanical thresholds were assessed before surgery and 1–7 days post-PIS. At 1, 4 and 7 days post-PIS, the endogenous production of H₂S and the expression of its synthesising enzymes—cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MPST)—were evaluated.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One day post-PIS, a reduction in H₂S production was observed in the operated hindpaw, with mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia lasting 5 and 6 days, respectively. CSE expression decreased in the operated hindpaw, while that of CBS increased on day 1 in the sciatic nerve and on day 4 in the L4–L5 spinal cord segments. The expression of 3-MPST remained unchanged. Intraplantar injection of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) or <span>dl</span>-propargylglycine (PGly), inhibitors of CSE/CBS activity, significantly delayed nociceptive threshold recovery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our findings suggest that while H₂S signalling via CSE appears to play a limited role in postoperative pain recovery, targeting CBS activity to preserve endogenous H2S levels may offer a promising alternative for enhancing pain and accelerating recovery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Significance Statement</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Targeting CBS to sustain H₂S signalling offers a new strategy to enhance postoperative pain recovery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144171639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reference Values of Joint-Specific Pressure Pain Thresholds in Healthy Male Individuals: A Retrospective Study","authors":"Fabian Tomschi,&nbsp;Alexander Schmidt,&nbsp;Marius Brühl,&nbsp;Thomas Hilberg","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70050","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) are a component of Quantitative Sensory Testing and are used to assess mechanical pain sensitivity. Joint-specific PPT measurements are relevant because many joint disorders involve altered pain processing at and around joints. This study aims to establish such reference values that might contribute to evaluate deviations in pain sensitivity in specific patient populations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study retrospectively analysed PPT data from 407 healthy male individuals. Pressure was applied in a standardised manner using an algometer at eight anatomical landmarks: bilaterally at the elbow, knee and ankle joints, as well as the sternum and forehead. Percentile-based, landmark-discriminative normative data were calculated for PPT in general and segmented for age, BMI and mean subjective pain over 4 weeks.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Median (IQR) PPT values (N/cm²) for anatomical landmarks are as follows: ankle = 47.2 (35.9, 63.8), knee = 65.9 (48.6, 89.1), elbow = 58.0 (40.5, 81.1), sternum = 39.8 (30.2, 53.3) and forehead = 35.5 (26.8, 45.0). Between-group analyses revealed no significant effect of BMI on PPT at any landmark assessed, no significant effect of age, except for the elbow joint (<i>p</i> = 0.035) and no effect of the presence of pain, except for the ankle (<i>p</i> = 0.020) and elbow joint (<i>p</i> = 0.010).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provides normative joint-specific PPT values in healthy male individuals, offering reference values for both clinical and research applications. These values can assist in interpreting PPT measured in clinical settings and in identifying abnormal pain sensitivity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Significance Statement</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pressure pain thresholds are an important measure in Quantitative Sensory Testing, yet comprehensive normative data for joint-specific PPT in healthy individuals have been lacking. This study establishes reference values across multiple anatomical landmarks, providing a critical benchmark for evaluating pain sensitivity deviations in musculoskeletal disorders. These findings enhance the interpretation of PPT measurements, supporting improved pain assessment and diagnostic accuracy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ejp.70050","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144171818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short-Term Effects of Kinesio Taping on Pain and Functionality in Patients With Cervical Spine Surgery","authors":"Masoud Amir Rashedi Bonab,&nbsp;Tugba Kuru Colak,&nbsp;Ipek Yeldan,&nbsp;Deniz Konya,&nbsp;Zafer O. Toktaş","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.70049","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Effective postoperative pain management following cervical spine surgery is essential for optimal recovery. This study was conducted to determine the short-term effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) on pain and functionality in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ninety patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation, cervical stenosis or cervical spondylolisthesis who underwent posterior cervical spine surgery were randomly assigned to three groups: Group I (conventional rehabilitation [CR] + KT, <i>n</i> = 30), Group II (CR, <i>n</i> = 30) and Group III (KT, <i>n</i> = 30). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM), Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD), Upper Extremity Functional Index-15 (UEFI-15) and short form-36 (SF-36) were assessed at baseline, on the first and third days after intervention, and after the follow-up period.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Statistically significant difference in mean changes across all scores was observed among the three groups, favouring the CR + KT group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). CR + KT intervention significantly improved VAS, PTT, NPAD and SF-36 emotional scores after treatment, with improvements maintained at 2-week follow-up (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). In terms of treatment interaction, CR + KT intervention showed a significantly larger effect size on PPT and NPAD scores (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). CR + KT and CR groups demonstrated similar improvements in functionality (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Integrating KT into a CR programme during the early postoperative phase of cervical spine surgery may improve clinical outcomes, specifically in pain intensity, PPT, disability levels and emotional components. However, the addition of KT to the CR programme does not appear to provide any meaningful benefits in terms of functionality compared to the CR programme alone.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Significance</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study reveals that integrating the KT method into the CR programme during the early postoperative period after cervical spine surgery can serve as a supportive and complementary intervention, particularly for painful conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144171484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}