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Adams H, MacDonald JE, Castillo AN, Pavilanis A, Truchon M, Achille M, Côté P, Sullivan MJL. Qualitative Examination of the Experience of Perceived Injustice Following Disabling Occupational Injury. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2023:10.1007/s10926-023-10154-y. [PMID: 37996720 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10154-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The primary objective of this study was to explore individuals' perspectives on the factors, situations or events that contributed to their perceptions of injustice following occupational injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study sample consisted of 30 participants (18 women, 12 men) who had submitted a time-loss claim for a work-related musculoskeletal injury. Participants with elevated scores on a measure of perceived injustice were interviewed about the factors that contributed to their sense of injustice. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify the broad classes of situations or events that participants experienced as unjust in the weeks following occupational injury. RESULTS Three dominant themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Invalidation, (2) Undeserved suffering and (3) Blame. Inductively derived subthemes reflected specific dimensions of post-injury experiences that contributed to participants' sense of injustice. CONCLUSIONS Given that suffering and invalidating communication are potentially modifiable factors, there are grounds for optimism that intervention approaches can be developed to prevent or reduce perceptions of injustice in the aftermath of debilitating injury. The development of intervention approaches that are effective in preventing or reducing perceptions of injustice holds promise of contributing to more positive recovery outcomes in individuals who have sustained debilitating work injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Adams
- School of Social Work, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Judy E MacDonald
- School of Social Work, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael J L Sullivan
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Ave, Montreal, QC, H3A 1G1, Canada.
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Sensky T. Mental Pain and Suffering: The "Universal Currencies" of the Illness Experience? PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2021; 89:337-344. [PMID: 32781446 DOI: 10.1159/000509587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Sensky
- Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom,
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3
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Gittins R, Howard M, Ghodke A, Ives TJ, Chelminski P. The Accuracy of a Fibromyalgia Diagnosis in General Practice. PAIN MEDICINE 2017; 19:491-498. [DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Molly Howard
- Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System, Montgomery, AL
- Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL
| | - Ameer Ghodke
- Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Timothy J Ives
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
- Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paul Chelminski
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
- Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Rodrigues-De-Souza DP, Fernández-De-Las-Peñas C, Martín-Vallejo FJ, Blanco-Blanco JF, Moro-Gutiérrez L, Alburquerque-Sendín F. Differences in pain perception, health-related quality of life, disability, mood, and sleep between Brazilian and Spanish people with chronic non-specific low back pain. Braz J Phys Ther 2016; 20:412-421. [PMID: 27333485 PMCID: PMC5123262 DOI: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cultural and social factors play an important role in the development and persistence of Low Back Pain (LBP). Nevertheless, there are few studies investigating differences in LBP features between countries. Objective To determine differences in pain perception between individuals with LBP living in Brazil and Spain. Method Thirty Spanish individuals and 30 age- and sex-comparable Brazilian individuals with LBP were recruited from the Public Health Services of both countries. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the pain rating index (PRI), the number of words chosen (NWC), and the present pain index (PPI) extracted from the McGill Pain Questionnaire were used to assess pain. The Oswestry Disability Index, the Short Form-36, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were also applied. Differences between countries and the correlation between demographic and clinical variables in each country were assessed with parametric and the nonparametric tests. Results A significant Country by Gender interaction was found for the PRI total score (P=0.038), but not for intensity of pain, disability, PPI, or NWC, in which Spanish women exhibited greater pain ratio than Spanish men (P=0.014), and no gender differences were identified in Brazilians. The Spanish group showed a consistent pattern of correlations for clinical data. Within Brazilian patients, fewer correlations were found and all of the coefficients were lower than those in the Spanish group. Conclusion The pain perception in patients with LBP is different depending on the country. Within Spanish patients, LBP is considered a more global entity affecting multidimensional contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - César Fernández-De-Las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,Cátedra de Investigación y Docencia en Fisioterapia: Terapia Manual y Punción Seca, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | | | - Juan F Blanco-Blanco
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Hospital Universitario de Salamanca Unidad Virgen Vega, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lourdes Moro-Gutiérrez
- Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francisco Alburquerque-Sendín
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Bérubé M, Choinière M, Laflamme YG, Gélinas C. Acute to chronic pain transition in extremity trauma: A narrative review for future preventive interventions (part 2). Int J Orthop Trauma Nurs 2016; 24:59-67. [PMID: 27527536 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijotn.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first part of this series of 2 articles revealed that chronic pain is an important issue post extremity trauma (ET) involving permanent biological transformations. Interventions aimed at preventing chronic pain in ET patients are therefore required. OBJECTIVE To conduct a comprehensive analysis of literature on risk and protective factors for chronic pain post-ET to guide the development of relevant preventive interventions. METHODS A narrative review of the literature was undertaken. Databases were searched to identify studies on chronic pain prognostic factors in ET patients. RESULTS Demographic, injury-related and psychological factors were shown to either contribute to or limit acute to chronic pain transition. High-intensity acute pain hasconsistently been identified as an important chronic pain risk factor. Other significant documented risk factors include: female gender, older age, less than college education, lower limb injury, symptoms of anxiety and depression and pain catastrophizing. Pain self-efficacy and pain acceptance have been shown to protect individuals against chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS This narrative review highlights factors placing ET patients at higher risk of chronic pain or protecting them against this problem. Determining how these factors could be addressed in preventive interventions is the next step before undertaking their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Bérubé
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 3506 University Street, Montréal H3A 2A7, Canada; Departments of Nursing, Orthopedics and Trauma, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montréal H4J 1C5, Canada; Research Centre, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montréal H4J 1C5, Canada.
| | - Manon Choinière
- Centre de recherche du Centre of the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Saint-Antoine Building, 850 Saint-Denis Street, Montréal H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Yves G Laflamme
- Departments of Nursing, Orthopedics and Trauma, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montréal H4J 1C5, Canada; Research Centre, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montréal H4J 1C5, Canada; Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C. P. 6128, Succursale, Centre-ville, Montréal H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Céline Gélinas
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 3506 University Street, Montréal H3A 2A7, Canada; Research Centre, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montréal H4J 1C5, Canada; Centre for Nursing Research and Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Chemin, Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montréal H3T 1E2, Canada
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Sullivan MJL. Introduction to the Special Issue on Justice-Related Appraisals and Recovery Outcomes. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-016-9250-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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¿Podemos descartar que la fibromialgia, el síndrome de fatiga crónica y la sensibilidad química múltiple sean enfermedades psicosomáticas? Semergen 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2015.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Walitt B, Nahin RL, Katz RS, Bergman MJ, Wolfe F. The Prevalence and Characteristics of Fibromyalgia in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138024. [PMID: 26379048 PMCID: PMC4575027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most knowledge of fibromyalgia comes from the clinical setting, where healthcare-seeking behavior and selection issues influence study results. The characteristics of fibromyalgia in the general population have not been studied in detail. METHODS We developed and tested surrogate study specific criteria for fibromyalgia in rheumatology practices using variables from the US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the modification (for surveys) of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary fibromyalgia criteria. The surrogate criteria were applied to the 2012 NHIS and identified persons who satisfied criteria from symptom data. The NHIS weighted sample of 8446 persons represents 225.7 million US adults. RESULTS Fibromyalgia was identified in 1.75% (95% CI 1.42, 2.07), or 3.94 million persons. However, 73% of identified cases self-reported a physician's diagnosis other than fibromyalgia. Identified cases had high levels of self-reported pain, non-pain symptoms, comorbidity, psychological distress, medical costs, Social Security and work disability. Caseness was associated with gender, education, ethnicity, citizenship and unhealthy behaviors. Demographics, behaviors, and comorbidity were predictive of case status. Examination of the surrogate polysymptomatic distress scale (PSD) of the 2010 ACR criteria found fibromyalgia symptoms extending through the full length of the scale. CONCLUSIONS Persons identified with criteria-based fibromyalgia have severe symptoms, but most (73%) have not received a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The association of fibromyalgia-like symptoms over the full length of the PSD scale with physiological as well as mental stressors suggests PSD may be a universal response variable rather than one restricted to fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Walitt
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Richard L. Nahin
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert S. Katz
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Martin J. Bergman
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Frederick Wolfe
- National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases, Wichita, KS, United States of America
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10
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The number needed to offend: a cross-sectional study of potential offensiveness of rheumatic diagnostic labels. Clin Rheumatol 2013; 33:561-6. [PMID: 24114394 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-013-2407-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the different connotations and potential offensiveness of ten mechanistic labels in newly referred Mexican patients with rheumatic symptoms as well as in Mexican and Canadian rheumatologists. Patients with musculoskeletal complaints newly referred for a rheumatology assessment were interviewed consecutively before they saw the rheumatologist. Patients were asked to choose one of nine feelings provoked by ten different illness mechanism labels. Rheumatologists gave a medical diagnosis after seeing the patients. Mexican and Canadian rheumatologists were invited to answer a structured questionnaire about their feelings at the moment they identified each of the ten different provided scenarios. Patients' and rheumatologists' feelings were classified as "offended" or "nonoffended." The "offensive score" was used to calculate a "number needed to offend" (NNO). One hundred and fifty patients were included. Inherited, immunological, and inflammatory labels had the fewest negative connotations (NNOs 17, 12, and 14, respectively), and psychological, functional, idiopathic, and sleep disturbance labels had the most (NNO 2 and 3, respectively). Functional labels were almost four times more offensive than organic labels. Stratified by rheumatologist diagnosis, patients with functional disorders were more accepting of organic-based mechanistic labels. A higher potential to offend was observed when patients with functional somatic conditions were given functional mechanistic labels (NNOs 1 to 4). The survey was completed by 186 Mexican rheumatologists and 71 Canadian rheumatologists. Primarily functional disorders such as somatization and anxiety had a high potential to evoke offensive feelings (NNOs 3 to 7). No significant differences in the NNO were found between Mexican and Canadian rheumatologists. Getting or giving mechanistic/explanatory labels is emotional. Both patients and rheumatologists experienced offended feelings with functional or idiopathic labels.
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Myrtveit SM, Skogen JC, Wenzel HG, Mykletun A. Somatic symptoms beyond those generally associated with a whiplash injury are increased in self-reported chronic whiplash. A population-based cross sectional study: the Hordaland Health Study (HUSK). BMC Psychiatry 2012; 12:129. [PMID: 22935146 PMCID: PMC3476995 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-12-129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic whiplash leads to considerable patient suffering and substantial societal costs. There are two competing hypothesis on the etiology of chronic whiplash. The traditional organic hypothesis considers chronic whiplash and related symptoms a result of a specific injury. In opposition is the hypothesis that chronic whiplash is a functional somatic syndrome, and related symptoms a result of society-induced expectations and amplification of symptoms. According to both hypotheses, patients reporting chronic whiplash are expected to have more neck pain, headache and symptoms of anxiety and depression than the general population. Increased prevalence of somatic symptoms beyond those directly related to a whiplash neck injury is less investigated. The aim of this study was to test an implication derived from the functional hypothesis: Is the prevalence of somatic symptoms as seen in somatization disorder, beyond symptoms related to a whiplash neck injury, increased in individuals self-reporting chronic whiplash? We further aimed to explore recall bias by comparing the symptom profile displayed by individuals self-reporting chronic whiplash to that among those self-reporting a non-functional injury: fractures of the hand or wrist. We explored symptom load, etiologic origin could not be investigated in this study. METHODS Data from the Norwegian population-based "Hordaland Health Study" (HUSK, 1997-99); N = 13,986 was employed. Chronic whiplash was self-reported by 403 individuals and fractures by 1,746. Somatization tendency was measured using a list of 17 somatic symptoms arising from different body parts and organ systems, derived from the research criteria for somatization disorder (ICD-10, F45). RESULTS Chronic whiplash was associated with an increased level of all 17 somatic symptoms investigated (p<0.05). The association was moderately strong (group difference of 0.60 standard deviation), only partly accounted for by confounding. For self-reported fractures symptoms were only slightly elevated. Recent whiplash was more commonly reported than whiplash-injury a long time ago, and the association of interest weakly increased with time since whiplash (r = 0.016, p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS The increased prevalence of somatic symptoms beyond symptoms expected according to the organic injury model for chronic whiplash, challenges the standard injury model for whiplash, and is indicative evidence of chronic whiplash being a functional somatic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solbjørg Makalani Myrtveit
- Faculty of medicine and dentistry, University of Bergen (UoB), Bergen, Norway,Division of Mental Health, Department of Public Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jens Christoffer Skogen
- Research Unit on Mental Health Epidemiology, Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology, UoB, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hanne Gro Wenzel
- Division of Psychiatry, St Olav University Hospital, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arnstein Mykletun
- Division of Mental Health, Department of Public Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway,Research Unit on Mental Health Epidemiology, Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology, UoB, Bergen, Norway,University of New South Wales, School of Psychiatry, Sydney, Australia
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Complexities in understanding the role of compensation-related factors on recovery from whiplash-associated disorders: discussion paper 2. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2011; 36:S316-21. [PMID: 22020606 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e3182388739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Focused discussion. OBJECTIVE To present some of the complexities in conducting research on the role of compensation and compensation-related factors in recovery from whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) and to suggest directions for future research. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA There is divergence of opinion, primary research findings, and systematic reviews on the role of compensation and/or compensation-related factors in WAD recovery. METHODS The topic of research of compensation/compensation-related factors was discussed at an international summit meeting of 21 researchers from diverse fields of scientific enquiry. This article summarizes the main points raised in that discussion. RESULTS Traffic injury compensation is a complex sociopolitical construct, which varies widely across jurisdictions. This leads to conceptual and methodological challenges in conducting and interpreting research in this area. It is important that researchers and their audiences be clear about what aspect of the compensation system is being addressed, what compensation-related variables are being studied, and what social/economic environment the compensation system exists in. In addition, summit participants also recommended that nontraditional, sophisticated study designs and analysis strategies be employed to clarify the complex causal pathways and mechanisms of effects. CONCLUSION Care must be taken by both researchers and their audiences not to overgeneralize or confuse different aspects of WAD compensation. In considering the role of compensation/compensation-related factors on WAD and WAD recovery, it is important to retain a broad-based conceptualization of the range of biological, psychological, social, and economic factors that combine and interact to define and determine how people recover from WAD.
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Haneline MT. The notion of a "whiplash culture": a review of the evidence. J Chiropr Med 2011; 8:119-24. [PMID: 19703667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2009] [Revised: 04/13/2009] [Accepted: 04/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most whiplash patients eventually recover, although some are left with ongoing pain and impairment. Why some develop long-term symptoms after whiplash, whereas others do not, is largely unknown. One explanation blames the cultural expectations of the population wherein the injury occurred, engendering the moniker whiplash culture. The purpose of this review was to locate and discuss studies that were used as a basis for developing the whiplash culture concept and to evaluate its plausibility. METHODS The PubMed database was searched using combinations of the terms whiplash culture, whiplash OR WAD, and chronic OR late OR long term. Search dates spanned from 1950 to June 2008. Filters were set to only retrieve English-language citations. Articles that dealt with the whiplash culture were selected and examined to determine which studies had been used to create the concept. RESULTS Nineteen articles discussed the cultural aspects of whiplash and were explored to determine which were used as a basis for the whiplash culture. Eight studies were found that met this final criterion. CONCLUSION There are many unanswered questions about the basis of chronic whiplash, and the notion of a whiplash culture is controversial. Chronic whiplash symptoms are surely not caused entirely by cultural issues, yet they are probably not entirely physical. Presumably, a tissue injury component exists in most chronic whiplash-associated disorder victims that becomes aggravated in those who are susceptible to biopsychosocial factors. As with many other controversial health care topics, the answer to the debate probably lies somewhere in the middle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Haneline
- Professor, Head of Chiropractic, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; Adjunct Professor, Palmer College of Chiropractic West, San Jose, CA 95134
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Horn O, Sloggett A, Ploubidis GB, Hull L, Hotopf M, Wessely S, Rona RJ. Upward trends in symptom reporting in the UK Armed Forces. Eur J Epidemiol 2009; 25:87-94. [PMID: 20024604 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-009-9414-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Several reports have shown increases in the prevalence of non-specific symptoms in the general population. Research in the military tends to focus on comparisons between deployed and non-deployed personnel and does not examine trends over time. 4,257 and 4,295 male participants of the Gulf war and Iraq war studies not deployed to either of these wars were randomly sampled and surveyed in 1997/1998 and 2004/2006 in two independent cross-sectional studies. Information was collected on 50 symptoms and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Factor analysis was performed to identify an underlying pattern of symptom dimensions, and multivariate regressions were carried out to examine changes in symptom dimensions between the two surveys and the possible role of psychological morbidity. Factor analysis identified a robust pattern of eight symptom dimensions. An increase in the prevalence of symptoms was evident across all symptom dimensions. Adjustment for demographic and service characteristics revealed increases in the odds of scoring highly on symptom dimensions, varying from odds ratios 1.57, 95% CI 1.36-1.81 (cardio-respiratory dimension) to 2.24, 95% CI 1.93-2.60 (fatigue dimension). Unexpectedly, increases were even greater when adjusting for psychological morbidity. There is clear evidence of an increase in the reporting of non-specific symptoms over a 7 year period in the UK Armed Forces. It suggests that the threshold for reporting symptoms has decreased and cannot be explained by psychological distress. The possible implication of this trend for medical practice in the wider population deserves close scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oded Horn
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.
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Chong YY, Ng BY. Clinical Aspects and Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2009. [DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.v38n11p967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic and debilitating musculoskeletal pain disorder of unknown aetiology with usual accompanying features of fatigue, sleep disturbances and stiff- ness. Its place in medical textbooks was controversial with rheumatologists holding the helm of its management for many years. Over the last decade, abnormalities have been identified at multiple levels in the peripheral, central, and sympathetic nervous systems as well as the hypothalomo-pitutary-adrenal axis stress response system. With the elucidation of these pathways of pain, FMS is known more as a central sensitivity syndrome. This led to tremendous increment in interest in both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of FMS. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also successively approved 3 drugs for the management of fibromyalgia – pregabalin, duloxetine and milnacipran. Non-pharmacological modalities showed aerobic exercise, patient education and cognitive behavioural therapy to be most effective. Overall, management of FMS requires a multi-disciplinary approach.
Key words: Aetiology, Fibromyalgia-Fibromyositis Syndromes, History, Pain syndrome
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Symptom profile of persons self-reporting whiplash: a Norwegian population-based study (HUNT 2). EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2009; 18:1363-70. [PMID: 19669172 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-009-1106-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2008] [Revised: 07/01/2009] [Accepted: 07/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aetiology of chronic whiplash associated disorder (WAD) is unclear and the condition has been perceived both as a chronic pain disorder, based on the injury to the neck, and as a functional somatic disorder. Based on the hypothesis that chronic WAD should be perceived as a functional somatic syndrome, we compared the symptom profile of persons with chronic WAD with the profile of persons with a functional somatic disorder, and with the profile of persons with an organic pain disorder. A sample of 55,046 persons participating in a Norwegian population-based health study (HUNT 2) was divided into four study groups: chronic WAD, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and controls (none of these disorders). Symptoms were categorized as pain and stiffness, cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms, and mental disorders. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from logistic regression were used to compare the prevalence of symptoms among the groups. The chronic WAD group had a significantly higher prevalence of symptoms from all body parts, across organ systems and also mental symptoms, compared to the control group. The fibromyalgia group had an even higher prevalence of all symptoms, while the rheumatoid arthritis group showed an increase in the prevalence of particularly pain and stiffness symptoms and also a minor increase in the prevalence of other symptoms compared to the control group. We conclude that this study provide evidence in favour of the hypothesis that chronic WAD should be perceived as a functional somatic syndrome. Persons with chronic WAD had a symptom profile more similar to people with a functional somatic disorder than an organic pain disorder, consisting of a wide array of symptoms, not only predominantly pain symptoms.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine if country (Australia, Taiwan, Singapore), undergraduate healthcare course (physiotherapy, nursing), low back pain (LBP) history, and year of course influenced various back pain beliefs in undergraduate female healthcare students. METHODS Three hundred and 82 female undergraduate nursing and physiotherapy students completed questionnaires examining; the inevitability of future life with low back trouble, the LBP beliefs held by healthcare providers and fear avoidance beliefs related to physical activity. Also participants completed questionnaires to determine their LBP status. General linear models were used to determine whether differences existed for back beliefs scores. RESULTS Differences were evident in the future consequence of LBP between countries (P<0.001), undergraduate course (P<0.001), and LBP status (P=0.021). Healthcare provider beliefs were found to be significantly influenced by course only (P<0.001). Fear avoidance beliefs related to physical activity were influenced by country (P=0.002) and undergraduate course (P<0.001). When compared with white Australians, Taiwanese and Singaporean Chinese displayed more negative back beliefs regarding the future consequence of LBP (P<0.001) and more fear avoidant beliefs toward physical activity (P=0.021 and P<0.001, respectively). Further, nursing students had more negative back pain beliefs than physiotherapy students (P<0.001) and, the experience of LBP was associated with more positive beliefs on the future consequence of back trouble (P=0.021). DISCUSSION Findings of this study highlight the importance of country, education, and LBP experience on back pain beliefs. The more negative back pain beliefs found in Taiwan and Singapore may reflect current pain beliefs and management attitudes.
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Young ME, Norman GR, Humphreys KR. The role of medical language in changing public perceptions of illness. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3875. [PMID: 19060953 PMCID: PMC2587237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2008] [Accepted: 11/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the impact of medical terminology on perceptions of disease. Specifically, we look at the changing public perceptions of newly medicalized disorders with accompanying newly medicalized terms (e.g. impotence has become erectile dysfunction disorder). Does using "medicalese" to label a recently medicalized disorder lead to a change in the perception of that condition? Undergraduate students (n = 52) rated either the medical or lay label for recently medicalized disorders (such as erectile dysfunction disorder vs. impotence) and established medical conditions (such as a myocardial infarction vs. heart attack) for their perceived seriousness, disease representativeness and prevalence. Students considered the medical label of the recently medicalized disease to be more serious (mean = 4.95 (SE = .27) vs. mean = 3.77 (SE = .24) on a ten point scale), more representative of a disease (mean = 2.47 (SE = .09) vs. mean = 1.83 (SE = .09) on a four point scale), and have lower prevalence (mean = 68 (SE = 12.6) vs. mean = 122 (SE = 18.1) out of 1,000) than the same disease described using common language. A similar pattern was not seen in the established medical conditions, even when controlled for severity. This study demonstrates that the use of medical language in communication can induce bias in perception; a simple switch in terminology results in a disease being perceived as more serious, more likely to be a disease, and more likely to be a rare condition. These findings regarding the conceptualization of disease have implications for many areas, including medical communication with the public, advertising, and public policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith E Young
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Early accounts of Gulf War illness and the construction of narratives in UK service personnel. Soc Sci Med 2008; 67:1641-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Sullivan MJL, Adams H, Horan S, Maher D, Boland D, Gross R. The role of perceived injustice in the experience of chronic pain and disability: scale development and validation. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2008; 18:249-261. [PMID: 18536983 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-008-9140-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2008] [Accepted: 05/16/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a questionnaire designed to assess perceive injustice associated with injury. METHODS In Study 1, the 12-item Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ) was administered to 226 individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. A subsample of 85 individuals were interviewed 1-year later about their ongoing symptoms and return to work status. In Study 2, the IEQ and other pain-related measures were administered on two separate occasions to 70 pain patients participating in a functional restoration rehabilitation program. RESULTS -Study 1 Principal components analysis yielded a two-component solution with eigenvalues greater 1. Item content of the two components reflected elements of blame and irreparability of loss. In cross sectional analyses, the IEQ was significantly correlated with measures of catastrophic thinking, r = .75, P < .01, fear of movement/re-injury, r = .58, P < .01, depression, r = .66, P < .01, and pain severity, r = .54, P < .01. Cross-sectional regression analyses revealed that the IEQ, beta = .44, P < .01, and the PCS, beta = .18, P < .05, each contributed significant unique variance to the prediction of pain severity. The IEQ prospectively predicted return to work status, OR = .75, 95% CI = .58-.99, but not pain severity. RESULTS -Study 2 Analyses supported the test re-test reliability of the IEQ, r = .90, P < .01. Treatment-related changes in the IEQ were significantly correlated with an objective index of improved physical function, r = .51, P < .01. CONCLUSIONS The findings of these two studies support the construct validity of the IEQ and suggest that this measure might be a useful complement to psychosocial assessment of individuals with persistent pain conditions. Discussion addresses the processes through which perceived injustice might impact on disability and rehabilitation outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J L Sullivan
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 1205 Docteur Penfield Avenue, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 1B1.
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Billis EV, McCarthy CJ, Oldham JA. Subclassification of low back pain: a cross-country comparison. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2007; 16:865-79. [PMID: 17576604 PMCID: PMC2219658 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-007-0313-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2006] [Revised: 12/31/2006] [Accepted: 01/05/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Various health professionals have attempted to classify low back pain (LBP) subgroups and have developed several LBP classification systems. Knowing that culture has an effect on LBP symptomatology, assessment findings and clinical decision making, the aim of this review is to perform a cross-country comparative review amongst the published classification systems, addressing each country's similarities and differences as well as exploring whether cultural factors have been incorporated into the subclassification process. A systematic search of databases limited to human adults was undertaken by Medline, Cinahl, AMED and PEDro databases between January 1980 and October 2005. Classification systems from nine countries were identified. Most studies were classified according to pathoanatomic and/or clinical features, whereas fewer studies utilized a psychosocial and even less, a biopsychosocial approach. Most studies were limited in use to the country of the system's developer. Very few studies addressed cultural issues, highlighting the lack of information on the impact of specific cultural factors on LBP classification procedures. However, there seem to be certain 'cultural trends' in classification systems within each country, which are discussed. Despite the plethora of classification studies, there is still no system which is internationally established, effective, reliable and valid. Future research should aim to develop a LBP classification system within a well identified cultural setting, addressing the multi-dimensional features of the LBP presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evdokia V Billis
- Department of Physiotherapy, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Lamia, Lamia, Fthiotida, Greece.
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Ferrari RR, Russell AS. Fibromyalgia: 30 years of drug-seeking behavior. NATURE CLINICAL PRACTICE. RHEUMATOLOGY 2007; 3:62-3. [PMID: 17299442 DOI: 10.1038/ncprheum0408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2006] [Accepted: 11/10/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert R Ferrari
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Abstract
Fifteen years since the events that are held by some to have caused it, Gulf War Syndrome continues to exercise the mind and energies of numerous researchers across the world, as well as those who purport to be its victims and their advocates in the media, law and politics. But it may be that the search for a scientific or medical solution to this issue was misguided in the first place, for Gulf War Syndrome, if there is such an entity, appears to have much in common with other 'illnesses of modernity', whose roots are more socially and culturally driven than what doctors would conventionally consider to be diseases. The reasons for this are complex, but derive from our contemporary proclivity to understand humanity as being frail and vulnerable in an age marked by an exaggerated perception of risk and a growing use of the 'politics of fear'. It is the breakdown of social solidarities across the twentieth century that has facilitated this process.Unfortunately, as this paper explores, our inability to understand the social origins of self-hood and illness, combined with a growing cynicism towards all sources of authority, whether political, scientific, medical or corporate, has produced a powerful demand for blame and retribution deriving from a resolute few who continue to oppose all of the evidence raised against them.Sadly, this analysis suggests that Gulf War Syndrome is likely to prove only one of numerous such instances that are likely to emerge over the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bill Durodié
- The Resilience Centre, Cranfield University, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, Swindon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Wessely
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, UK.
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Abstract
The relationship between combat and psychiatric breakdown has been well recognised for decades. The change to smaller, professional armed forces has reduced the risk of large-scale acute psychiatric casualties, and should have led to a corresponding decrease in long-term ill health, but this expected reduction seems not to have happened. Likewise, attempts at preventing psychiatric injury, by screening before deployment or debriefing after, have been disappointing. Three reasons for this are proposed: a rethinking of the relationship between trauma and long-term outcome, catalysed by the attempts of US society to come to terms with the Vietnam conflict; a broadening of the scope of psychiatric injury as it moved to the civilian sector; and the increased prominence of unexplained syndromes and contested diagnoses such as Gulf War syndrome. Traditional psychiatric injury is predictable, proportionate and can, in theory, be managed. These newer forms of injury are in contrast unanticipated, paradoxical, ill understood and hard to manage. Traditional approaches to risk management by reducing exposure have not been successful, and may increase risk aversion and reduce resilience. However, the experiences of civilians in wartime or the military show that people are not intrinsically risk-averse, provided they can see purpose in accepting risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Wessely
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RJ, UK.
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