An assessment of the relative influence of pain coping, negative thoughts about pain, and pain acceptance on health-related quality of life among people with hemophilia

Clinical and Humanistic Burden of Non-inhibitor Haemophilia A in Five European Countries: Insights from the CHESS II Study

INTRODUCTION

Haemophilia A (HA) is a congenital bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency/absence of factor VIII (FVIII) and characterised by frequent, acute and prolonged spontaneous or traumatic bleeding events, often leading to haemophilic arthropathy and progressive joint deterioration. HA severity is characterized by endogenous FVIII activity: mild (> 5-40%), moderate (1-5%), or severe (< 1%). HA poses a substantial clinical and socioeconomic burden on people with HA (PWHA), their caregivers, and society. This analysis evaluates clinical and patient-centric outcomes of a cohort of individuals with non-inhibitor HA sampled from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK in the 'Cost of Haemophilia in Europe: A Socioeconomic Survey II' (CHESS II) study.

METHODS

CHESS II was a cross-sectional burden-of-illness study collecting clinical and socioeconomic data on adult (≥ 18 years) individuals with haemophilia A or B of any severity with or without inhibitors from eight European countries. Descriptive analyses were conducted examining physician-reported demographics, clinical and health resource utilisation information. PWHA-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the EQ-5D-5L and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) were also examined. Outcomes were stratified by HA severity and reported at country level.

RESULTS

Demographics and clinical characteristics of the cohort (N = 880) were generally consistent across countries. Individuals with severe HA experienced more frequent bleeding events and joint disease despite broad use of factor replacement therapy long-term prophylaxis. A minority of those with mild or moderate HA also experienced such challenges. HRQoL and workforce participation diminished, and chronic pain increased, with increasing HA severity.

CONCLUSION

This analysis provides up-to-date insights on the impact of HA across five European countries. Increasing HA severity was generally associated with worse clinical outcomes, HRQoL and workforce participation. These findings suggest a place for continued evidence-based tailored treatment and clinical management approaches in addressing the residual burden of HA.

Humanistic burden of haemophilia A without inhibitors: A cross-sectional analysis of the HemoLIFE study

AIM

To evaluate the impact of haemophilia A without inhibitors on humanistic outcomes in patients and caregivers. Herein, we report a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data of persons with haemophilia (PWH) participating in the prospective study HEMOLIFE.

METHODS

These data are part of a prospective, observational, and multicentre study currently being conducted in 20 hospitals in Spain by haematologists. We included subjects 12 years or older diagnosed with haemophilia. The evaluations included the Maladjustment Scale, Haemophilia-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults (HaemoQol)/HaemoQol Short Form (Children), haemophilia-specific version of the Work Productivity and Impairment Questionnaire plus the Classroom Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI+CIQ:HS), Haemophilia Activity List (HAL)/Paediatric Haemophilia Activities List (pedHAL), visual analogue scale (VAS) for evaluating pain, Coping Pain Questionnaire-Reduced (CAD-R), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

RESULTS

A total of 81 PWH were recruited at 18 centres; 66 PWH were ≥18 years (i.e., adults), and PWH 15 were <18 years (i.e., paediatric patients). Out of the 79 evaluable subjects, 16 (20%) showed an impact of haemophilia on daily life, and the areas most affected were "leisure time" (58% showed maladjustment) and "work/studies" (47% showed maladjustment). Patients reported a higher impact of haemophilia on quality of life (mean [SD] of the transformed score) in the dimensions of "sport" (49.4 [28.6]), "physical health" (40.5 [25.8]) and "future" (37.7 [28.9]). In adults, according to HAL scores, greater impairment of function was observed in "lying/sitting/kneeling/standing," "function of legs" and "leisure activities and sports," with mean normalized scores of 64.7, 65.1 and 69.0, respectively. Productivity was mostly impacted by presenteeism. The pain was infrequent and moderate. According to the HADS scores, nine (11.5%) patients had clinical anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

PWH without inhibitors exhibited impairments in adjustment, quality of life and functionality, especially related to leisure and sports activities, and exhibit relevant levels of anxiety and depression.

Promoting pain coping skills in haemophilia: A remote intervention integrating exercise and pain education

BACKGROUND

Chronic joint pain is a significant and widespread symptom in people with haemophilia (PWH). Despite medical advancements, effective pain management remains challenging.

AIM

This study presents an innovative approach that integrates remote physical exercises, pain neuroscience education, and coping strategies to address chronic pain in PWH.

METHODS

The remote intervention consisted of sixteen 5-min videos encompassing physical exercises for chronic pain management and pain education strategies. These videos formed an 8-week remote intervention program. Clinical and physical assessments were conducted before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

A total of thirty-one PWHs, with a median age of 34 years (ranging from 16 to 59 years), completed the remote intervention. The study revealed significant improvements in pain intensity, disability, and physical performance among PWH with chronic pain. Enhanced functional capacity was evident in the Timed Up and Go and Single Leg Stance tests, accompanied by improved scores on the Functional Independence Score in Haemophilia (FISH). Although lacking a control group, our findings are consistent with other successful exercise and pain education programs.

CONCLUSIONS

This innovative intervention holds promise for managing chronic pain in PWH, underscoring patient empowerment, education, and collaboration. Notably, our study stands out by uniquely combining pain education and coping strategies, bolstering evidence for effective pain management.

Long-Term Evaluation of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy: An Eight-to-Ten-Year Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDPN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective cohort study was the eight-to-ten-year follow-up of a previously performed pilot and randomized controlled trial on the effects of SCS in PDPN, initiated by the multidisciplinary pain center of Maastricht University Medical Center+. The study population consisted of a subgroup of patients who still used SCS treatment ≥ eight years after implantation (n = 19). Pain intensity scores (numeric rating scale [NRS]) during the day and night and data on secondary outcomes (ie, quality of life, depression, sleep quality) were reported during yearly follow-up consultations. Long-term efficacy of SCS was analyzed by comparing the most recently obtained data eight to ten years after implantation with those obtained at baseline.

RESULTS

Pain intensity, day and night, was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced by 2.3 (NRS 6.6-4.3) and 2.2 (NRS 6.8-4.6) points, respectively, when comparing the long-term data with baseline. Moreover, for > 50% of patients, the pain reduction was > 30%, which is considered clinically meaningful. No differences were found regarding the secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This eight-to-ten-year follow-up study indicates that SCS can remain an effective treatment in the long term to reduce pain intensity in a subcohort of patients with PDPN who still had an SCS device implanted after eight years.

Pain coping behaviour strategies in people with haemophilia: A systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

Despite the fact that joint bleeds (haemarthrosis) frequently occur in people with haemophilia (PwH) with invalidating arthropathies as result, the clinical pain experience has received only limited attention. A sudden increase in pain intensity can be linked to a bleed, but in most cases, no acute bleed is confirmed. Nevertheless, a patient's perception of an acute bleed as cause of the pain might impact the patients' behaviour in response to pain. It is therefore essential to gain more insight into pain coping strategies seen in PwH.

AIM

This systematic review aims to identify the range of pain coping behaviour strategies used among PwH and the factors associated with pain coping behaviour.

METHODS

This review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines (PRISMA). PubMed and Web of Science were systematically screened for relevant literature using keyword combinations related to adult PwH, pain and pain coping behaviour strategies. Risk of bias was assessed with the modified Newcastle-Ottowa Scale.

RESULTS

Eleven full text articles (nine cross-sectional and two comparative studies) consisting of 1832 PwH met the inclusion criteria. Due to the heterogeneity of the study samples, quality of evaluation instruments and varying risk of bias, it was difficult to draw conclusions regarding the used pain coping behaviour strategies and associated factors.

CONCLUSION

Literature on pain coping behaviour strategies and associated factors in PwH is still scarce and describes heterogenous results. Validated haemophilia-specific instruments are warranted to inventory pain coping behaviour in a standardized way.

Prevalence and Interference of Chronic Pain Among People With Hemophilia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Chronic pain is a common condition among people with hemophilia (PWH), associated with joint deterioration due to repeated joint bleeds. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic pain due to haemophilia and to analyze its interference in the lives of patients. A systematic search was performed in May and June 2019 and updated in February 2021, using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and SciElo. The search included terms related to hemophilia, pain, pain prevalence and pain interference. Studies were included if they reported data referring to hemophilia-related chronic pain among adult males (age ≥18). From 3,258 identified studies, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Three studies used a proposed definition for hemophilia-related chronic pain and 8 used direct questions developed by the authors. For the global samples, prevalence ranged from 17% to 84%. The random-effects meta-analysis including all studies demonstrated a pooled prevalence of chronic pain of 46% (95% Confidence Interval, CI = 34%-58%). Subgroup analysis of samples including all disease severities or including only severe patients revealed a pooled prevalence of 48% (95% CI = 29%-67%) and 53% (95% CI = 38%-69%), respectively. High heterogeneity between studies was observed in all models. Information concerning chronic pain interference was retrieved from 1 study, reporting a mean interference of 3.7 (0-10 numerical rating scale from the Brief Pain Inventory). This systematic review revealed a wide prevalence range of hemophilia-related chronic pain across studies, varying methodologies and sample characteristics. Research in the hemophilia field should clearly distinguish between acute and chronic pain and provide complete characterization of study samples. PERSPECTIVE: Pain is a central issue in the lives of people with hemophilia, posing a significant challenge for healthcare providers. A clear picture of chronic pain due to hemophilia is precluded by high heterogeneity among studies and various definitions used to investigate its prevalence.

Psychological Flexibility, Pain Characteristics and Risk of Opioid Misuse in Noncancerous Chronic Pain Patients

Chronic pain has an estimated annual prevalence rate between 10 and 35%. In the US, first-line treatment for chronic pain is often opioids.

OBJECTIVE

To our knowledge, this is the first study exploring psychological flexibility and its association with pain severity, pain interference and risk of opioid misuse in chronic pain patients.

METHODS

Data were collected at two outpatient pain clinics in the northeastern United States. Adults (N = 99) completed a cross-sectional survey with validated measures. Pain severity and pain interference were hypothesized to uniquely predict the risk of opioid misuse. Pain severity was hypothesized to predict pain interference. Finally, psychological flexibility was hypothesized as an indirect effect in these relationships.

RESULTS

Main findings suggest that pain severity predicts risk of opioid misuse, mediated by psychological flexibly. Pain interference also predicts risk of opioid misuse, mediated by psychological flexibility. Finally, results suggest pain severity predicts pain interference, mediated by psychological flexibility.

DISCUSSION

Implications of findings are discussed in terms of future psychological and medical assessments and interventions for chronic pain patients seeking prescription opioids.

Trajectories of pain during pregnancy predict symptoms of postpartum depression

INTRODUCTION

Postpartum depression imparts a significant and long-lasting burden on maternal and child health. Successful prevention or early detection of postpartum depression will rely on the identification of early risk factors. Pain during pregnancy (before childbirth) is a key potential predictor of postpartum depression risk. However, longitudinal studies characterizing pregnancy pain, its normal trajectory over time, and its prospective relations with symptoms of postpartum depression are lacking.

METHODS

We used data from a longitudinal study of maternal emotion that included assessments of pain and depressive symptoms at 3 time points-during the second and third trimester of pregnancy and at 4 months postpartum. Structural equation modelling was used to estimate longitudinal patterns of change in maternal pain over time. Latent growth curve parameters were tested as predictors of symptoms of postpartum depression.

RESULTS

Ninety-three healthy pregnant women enrolled in this study. Although the sample comprised women with relatively low-risk pregnancies, more than 90% of participants experienced pregnancy pain. Greater linear increases and less negative quadratic change in maternal pain over time were associated with greater levels of postpartum depression, even when controlling for prenatal depressive symptoms. Interpreting both parameters together, pain that increased in late pregnancy, when normative patterns had either levelled off or begun to decline, was associated with greater levels of postpartum depression.

CONCLUSION

A developmental trajectory of pain experience that did not subside after childbirth was associated with greater postpartum depressive symptoms, suggesting that atypical trajectories of pain may be a risk factor for postpartum depression.

Psychological interventions for people with hemophilia

BACKGROUND

Managing hemophilia is challenging both in terms of medical treatment and its broad impact on many aspects of the individual's life, including self-perception. Several psychosocial issues are potentially relevant in the clinical management of hemophilia, including it being a chronic and incurable condition; e.g. people with hemophilia must adapt to optimally interact with peers and to practice sports - even choosing a sport represents an issue for perceived limitations, expectations and cultural influences on the individual and their family. People with hemophilia can react by denying their condition and its manifestations and not adhering to treatment. Due to the complexity of relationships surrounding genetic diseases, parents and relatives may have their own issues that contribute to making life easier or more difficult for the person with hemophilia. Anxiety, sadness and depression resulting in mental health disorders are reported in this population and may influence quality of life (QoL) depending on cultural background, religious beliefs, family support and other variables.

OBJECTIVES

Primarily to assess the effectiveness of psychological therapies for improving the ability of people with hemophilia to cope with their chronic condition.

SEARCH METHODS

We aimed to identify trials from the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Coagulopathies Trials Register, Embase and PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE and trial registries. We searched reference lists of included publications. Most recent search of the Group's register: 13 June 2019.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs in people with hemophilia of any age or gender, type A or B, any severity, with or without inhibitors, with or without HIV or hepatitis C virus. All psychological interventions for promoting emotional, intellectual and spiritual wellness. Individual, group or family group therapy interventions were eligible.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently assessed trials, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias and assessed the quality of the evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

Seven trials were included (362 participants randomized, data from 264 participants available for analysis); six of parallel design and one a partial cross-over design. One multicenter trial was conducted in Canada; the remaining six were single centre undertaken in the UK, USA, Iran and in the Netherlands. All trials had a high risk of bias for participant blinding and use of patient-reported outcomes. Evidence was retrieved on four interventions: psycho-education (DVD plus information booklet versus information booklet alone; computerised learning versus no intervention); cognitive therapy (auto-hypnosis (self-hypnosis) versus control); and behavioural therapy (relaxation (progressive or self control) versus no treatment). We also aimed to assess psychodynamic therapy and systemic therapy, but no trials were identified. Heterogeneity of the outcome measures and measurements precluded meta-analyses. No trial reported the cost of the psychological intervention and family adjustment. DVD plus information booklet compared to information booklet alone One trial (108 participants) showed coping strategies may lower pre-contemplation scores and negative thoughts, mean difference (MD) -0.24 (95%CI -0.48 - 0.00, low-certainty evidence), however, other measures of coping strategies in the same trial suggest little or no difference between groups, e.g. contemplation, MD (-0.09, 95%CI -0.32 - 0.14, low-certainty evidence). The same trial measured QoL and showed little or no difference between treatment groups for the physical domain, MD 0.59 (95% CI -3.66 to 4.84, low-certainty evidence), but may improve scores in the mental health domain for those receiving the booklet plus DVD compared to booklet alone, MD (4.70, 95% CI 0.33 to 9.07, low-certainty evidence). Mood or personal well-being were not reported. Computerised learning compared to no intervention Two trials (57 participants) reported on interventions aimed at children and adolescents and their impact on promoting a sense of self-efficacy (primary outcome 'Mood and personal well-being'), but only one showed an increase, MD 7.46 (95%CI 3.21 to 11.71, 17 participants, very low-certainty evidence); the second did not report control group data. One trial (30 participants) showed the intervention did not improve self-efficacy in adults, but appropriate data could not be extracted. Two trials (47 participants) reported coping strategies; one only reported within-group differences from baseline, the second showed an increase from baseline in coping strategies in the Internet program group compared to the no intervention group (disease-specific knowledge, MD 2.45 (95% CI 0.89 to 4.01); self-management ability and transition readiness, MD 19.90 (95% CI 3.61 to 36.19; low-certainty evidence). One trial reported QoL but with insufficient information to calculate changes from baseline; no difference in post-treatment scores was seen between groups, MD -8.65, 95% CI -18.30 to 1.00, very low-certainty evidence). Auto-hypnosis (self-hypnosis) compared to control There were two older trials that reported on this intervention (50 participants) focusing mainly on the secondary outcome 'physical health'; only one trial reported the primary outcome 'mood and personal well-being' (only within-group differences in the treatment group). Coping strategies and QoL were not assessed in the trials. Relaxation (progressive or self control) compared to no treatment Only one trial (seven participants) from 1985, was included which focused on 'physical health' and did not report on any of our primary outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Not all of the seven included trials analysed the effects of the interventions on our primary outcomes (mood and personal well-being, coping strategies and QoL). Three trials were conducted in the 1970s and 1980s using techniques of auto-hypnosis or relaxation and, in accordance with the needs and therapeutic possibilities of the time, they focused on secondary outcomes, e.g. frequency of bleeding (physical health) and adherence to the intervention. The four newer trials assessed psycho-educational interventions all mediated by the use of technologies (DVD or computer) and often created according to age needs of the target group. In these cases, attention was shifted to our pre-defined primary outcomes. This review has identified low- and very low-certainty evidence, prompting caution in its interpretation. The major problem we encountered was the heterogeneity of trial designs, of interventions and of outcome measures used across the trials. We strongly suggest that researchers consider developing a core outcome set to streamline future research; randomization was proven to be safe and acceptable, and blinding should be considered for those assessing patient-reported outcomes.

Quality of Life in Youth With Chronic Pain: An Examination of Youth and Parent Resilience and Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric chronic pain has often been examined from a risk perspective, and relatively less is known about the individual and family-level resilience factors that help youth with chronic pain maintain their quality of life (QOL). This cross-sectional study: (1) examined the relations among purported youth and parent resilience (youth pain acceptance and pain self-efficacy, parent psychological flexibility) and risk (youth pain intensity and parent protectiveness) factors with youth QOL, and (2) tested exploratory statistical mechanisms that may explain relations between parent and youth variables.

METHODS

Participants included 122 youth (10 to 17 y; M=14.26, SD=2.19) seen in an interdisciplinary pediatric chronic pain program and a parent. Youth completed measures of their average pain, QOL, pain acceptance, and pain self-efficacy. Parents completed measures of their pain-related psychological flexibility and behavioral responses to pain (ie, protectiveness, distraction, monitoring, minimizing).

RESULTS

Youth pain acceptance, pain self-efficacy, and parent psychological flexibility were highly positively correlated with each other, and with overall youth QOL. Evidence for a buffering effect of pain acceptance and pain self-efficacy on the association between pain intensity and QOL was not found. Protectiveness was found to be a significant mediator of the relation between parental psychological flexibility and youth QOL.

DISCUSSION

The results are discussed in the context of the resilience-risk framework and current understandings of the role of parental factors for pediatric chronic pain.

Effectiveness of hypnosis for pain management and promotion of health-related quality-of-life among people with haemophilia: a randomised controlled pilot trial

Joint deterioration and associated chronic pain are common among people with haemophilia (PWH), having an impact on quality-of-life. Though non-pharmacological strategies are recommended, psychological interventions to promote pain control and quality-of-life have scarcely been tested in haemophilia. This randomised controlled pilot trial aimed to assess feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of hypnosis for pain management and promotion of health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) among PWH. Twenty adults were randomised either to four weekly hypnosis sessions plus treatment-as-usual (experimental group; EG) or treatment-as-usual only (control group; CG). Participants completed sociodemographic and clinical assessment, measures of pain, HRQoL and emotional distress before (T1) and after (T2) intervention. Changes were analysed by calculating the differences between T1 and T2, and the groups were compared through independent-sample t tests (or chi-squared). Retention rates (90%) and analysis of patient satisfaction showed good acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. The EG (n = 8) had a higher reduction on pain interference than the CG (n = 10) (d = −0.267). A higher improvement on HRQoL (EQ-5D index: d = 0.334; EQ-5D VAS: d = 1.437) and a tendency towards better haemophilia-related quality-of-life (A36-Hemofilia QoL) were also evident in the EG. This is the first study showing the effectiveness of hypnosis to reduce pain interference and promote HRQoL among PWH.

Acceptance versus catastrophizing in predicting quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain catastrophizing, acceptance, and quality of life in relation to chronic low back pain in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. We also analyze the effect of personality in catastrophizing and acceptance.

Methods

A total of 52 chronic low back pain patients were enrolled as participants from 2 hospitals in Jakarta (43 females, 9 males, mean age 54.38 years). Participants completed a set of self-reported questionnaires: the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-Revised (CPAQ-R), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Pain Discomfort Module (PDM).

Results

This study showed that acceptance increased the patient's quality of life by giving physical relief from pain. In contrast, pain catastrophizing decreased the quality of life, and increased the patients' tendency to get frustrated, irritated, and anxious about the pain. From a personality perspective, the trait neuroticism may lead to a higher level of pain catastrophizing.

Conclusions

This study showed that catastrophizing, compared with acceptance, had a greater impact on the patient's life by reducing its quality.

A new measure to assess pain in people with haemophilia: The Multidimensional Haemophilia Pain Questionnaire (MHPQ)

People with haemophilia (PWH) experience acute pain during joint bleeds and might develop chronic pain due to joint degeneration. However, there is a lack of standardized measures to comprehensively assess pain in PWH. This study aimed to develop a multidimensional questionnaire for haemophilia-related pain, the Multidimensional Haemophilia Pain Questionnaire (MHPQ), and to present initial validation data among adults.The questionnaire distinguishes between acute/chronic pain and queries about pain locations, duration, frequency, triggering factors, intensity, interference, strategies, specialists for pain management and satisfaction with treatment. An initial version was tested with 16 patients to ensure item comprehensibility and face validity. The final version was answered by 104 adults, with 82 (78.8%) reporting haemophilia-related pain in the previous year (mean age = 43.17; SD = 13.00). The non-response analysis revealed good item acceptability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA), reliability (internal consistency, test-retest, inter-item and item-total correlations) and convergent validity were analysed for the intensity and interference dimensions of the questionnaire. A combined EFA with these two constructs supported a 2-factor structure distinguishing intensity (α = 0.88) from interference items (α = 0.91). CFA was tested for the interference dimension, demonstrating suitability for this sample. Item-total correlations were >0.30 on both dimensions and most inter-item correlations were <0.70. Test-retest reliability (n = 42) was good for intensity (r = 0.88) and interference (r = 0.73), and convergent validity was confirmed for most hypotheses (r>0.30).This questionnaire is a comprehensible tool, achieving a thorough assessment of relevant pain dimensions. The MHPQ can help guide treatment recommendations by highlighting relevant topics and contributing to more effective, integrated treatments.

Living with chronic pain: Patients' experiences with healthcare services in Norway

AIM

To explore the experiences with healthcare received by people living with chronic nonmalignant pain in Norway.

DESIGN

A descriptive and explorative qualitative design.

METHODS

A total of 18 individual semistructured interviews was conducted in 2015. Qualitative content analysis was applied.

RESULTS

The findings revealed challenges related to a multifaceted pain condition. Participants described interactions with a supportive health care where being listened to, believed in and experiencing mutual trust were emphasized. When interactions with healthcare professionals made the participants feel insignificant, they found it difficult to express their needs, which seemed to reinforce practical difficulties and unfulfilled expectations and make them lose hope in their recovery. This implies the importance of a holistic understanding of and support for more person-centred practice to accommodate patients' expectations and expressed needs. Here, the nurses have an essential role in having a positive impact on future healthcare services.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for frequent attenders in primary care

AIM

The aim of the study is to investigate if cognitive behavioral therapy given in a group setting affects anxiety and depression, stress, pain, coping strategies during daily life, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), among frequent attenders (FAs) in primary care.

METHODS

Cognitive behavioral therapy was offered to 331 FAs between 18 and 65 years of age, of whom 89 accepted and 54 completed all steps in the protocol; patients were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 0, 6, and 12-month waiting time. The therapy consisted of 12 sessions administered in group format. Outcome measures were Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Everyday Life Stress (ELS), Coping Strategy Questionnaire, Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Swedish version, and Short Form-36.

RESULTS

Mean age among patients who completed cognitive behavioral therapy was 49.9 years, with a female majority (79.6%). Anxiety and depression scores were reduced after treatment (BAI 16.7 vs 13.6; BDI 16.3 vs 15.7; HADS-Anxiety 8.41 vs 6.05; HADS-Depression 7.09 vs 5.69). Because waiting time itself did not affect symptoms, differences reflect treatment effects. Stress ratings were not affected by treatment. Use of nonadaptive coping strategies like praying and hoping and catastrophizing decreased. Frequent attenders experienced a higher sense of life control. Frequent attenders reported significantly lower HRQoL than general Swedish population norms in all 8 Short Form-36 domains including mental and physical component summary scores (MCS and PCS), and all domains were unaffected by treatment.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive behavioral therapy exerts some beneficial effects in FAs. Content of treatment addressed musculoskeletal pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. This broad approach resulted in reduced anxiety, depression, and impact of pain because of enhanced life control.

Patient-reported outcomes and joint status across subgroups of US adults with hemophilia with varying characteristics: Results from the Pain, Functional Impairment, and Quality of Life (P-FiQ) study

INTRODUCTION

Pain and functional impairment associated with joint disease are major problems for people with hemophilia, and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may vary across groups defined by demographic and treatment-related characteristics.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate differences in overall HRQoL, pain, function, and joint status between P-FiQ study subgroups.

METHODS

Adult males with hemophilia and a history of joint pain/bleeding completed a pain history and the patient-reported outcome instruments EQ-5D-5L, Brief Pain Inventory v2 Short Form (BPI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Hemophilia Activities List (HAL); optionally, joint status was assessed (Hemophilia Joint Health Score v2.1 [HJHS]). Scores were analyzed between subgroups across sets of participant characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 381 adult males with hemophilia were enrolled, with median age of 34 years. Worse scores on EQ-5D-5L index, BPI pain severity/interference, HAL overall score, and HJHS were generally associated with being college educated, unemployment, self-reporting both acute and chronic pain, and self-reporting anxiety/depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Measures of joint status and HRQoL were consistently lower in participants who had higher educational levels, were unemployed, self-reported having both acute and chronic pain, and self-reported having anxiety/depression. A greater understanding of the association of these factors with disease outcomes may improve individualized patient management.

Can Distressing Sexual Thoughts Be Regulated? Experiential Willingness Versus Distraction

This study examines the effects of different techniques on the management of unwanted sexual thoughts. Participants (N = 150; 67 who found sexual thoughts distressing, 83 participants who did not) were randomly placed into one of three experimental conditions: experiential willingness, distraction, or no strategies for dealing with unwanted sexual thoughts. Participants answered questions assessing attitudes about their sexual thoughts and recorded sexual thought frequency for a 3-minute period pre- and post-intervention. Thought frequencies decreased for all groups post intervention for both the distressed and nondistressed samples. Acceptability of thoughts increased for the experiential willingness group, remained similar for the distraction group, and decreased for the control group. The findings indicate that distraction was more easily implemented, more commonly used, and equally effective to experiential willingness at reducing sexual thoughts in the short term. However, the short experiential willingness intervention increased acceptability of sexual thoughts, which could have an impact on longer-term results.

What can we learn from using formal patient-reported outcome instruments to assess pain, functional impairment, anxiety, and depression in US adults with hemophilia?

People with hemophilia frequently suffer from arthropathy that leads to pain and functional impairment, ultimately resulting in reduced quality of life. The impact of pain and functional impairment on the lives of people with hemophilia was explored in the Pain, Functional Impairment, and Quality of Life (P-FiQ) study. Various patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments were employed to assess the effect of pain and functional impairment on multiple aspects of health in people with hemophilia. The results presented in this supplement include detailed observations from PRO instruments regarding pain, functional impairment, anxiety, and depression, an analysis of the differences in health-related quality of life across subgroups of patients defined by demographic and treatment-related characteristics, and results of a modeling analysis to identify patient factors which influence perceptions of pain and functional impairment, independent of joint status. These data provide insights into how the results from PRO assessments may be used to evaluate outcomes for people with hemophilia in the clinical and research settings.

Predictors of quality of life among adolescents and young adults with a bleeding disorder

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents and young adults with bleeding disorders is under-researched. We aimed to describe factors related to HRQoL in adolescents and young adults with hemophilia A or B or von Willebrand disease.

METHODS

A convenience sample of volunteers aged 13 to 25 years with hemophilia or von Willebrand disease completed a cross-sectional survey that assessed Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary scores on the SF-36 questionnaire. Quantile regression models were used to assess factors associated with HRQoL.

RESULTS

Of 108 respondents, 79, 7, and 14% had hemophilia A, hemophilia B, and von Willebrand disease, respectively. Most had severe disease (71%), had never developed an inhibitor (65%), and were treated prophylactically (68%). Half of patients were aged 13 to 17 years and most were white (80%) and non-Hispanic (89%). Chronic pain was reported as moderate to severe by 31% of respondents. Median PCS and MCS were 81.3 and 75.5, respectively. Quantile regression showed that the median PCS for women (61% with von Willebrand disease) was 13.1 (95% CI: 2.4, 23.8; p = 0.02) points lower than men. Ever developing an inhibitor (vs never) was associated with a 13.1-point (95% CI: 4.7, 21.5; p < 0.01) PCS reduction. MCS was 10.0 points (95% CI: 0.7, 19.3; p = 0.04) higher for prophylactic infusers versus those using on-demand treatment. Compared with patients with no to mild chronic pain, those with moderate to severe chronic pain had 25.5-point (95% CI: 17.2, 33.8; p < 0.001) and 10.0-point (95% CI: 0.8, 19.2; p = 0.03) reductions in median PCS and MCS, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts should be made to prevent and manage chronic pain, which was strongly related to physical and mental HRQoL, in adolescents and young adults with hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. Previous research suggests that better clotting factor adherence may be associated with less chronic pain.

Determining the health-related quality of life in individuals with haemophilia in developing economies: results from the Brazilian population

INTRODUCTION

Several studies show the negative impact of haemophilia in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This issue is not well explored in developing countries.

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the HRQOL and its associated factors in patients with haemophilia A/B in Brazil. Data were collected by questionnaire and in medical records, including a Portuguese version of Haem-A-Qol.

RESULTS

Brazilian patients were invited to the study and 175 participants (147 haemophilics A and 28 haemophilics B) were included. The total score of the Haem-A-QoL had a median of 36.96 (range of 0-100), with worse performance in 'sport and leisure' and best on 'relationships' fields. HRQOL was worst among the older participants, the less educated, non-white, non-working, who were hospitalized in the last year, who did not have a single medical consultation and among those with the highest number of affected joints. Moreover, patients with hepatitis B had a significantly worse HRQOL in the domain 'sports and leisure', also observed in married patients. Otherwise, married individuals reported better HRQOL on 'dealing with the disease' domain. Patients with haemophilia B reported worse HRQOL in the domain 'self-perception'.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained could be helpful in guidance of haemophilia treatment which is determinant to improve HRQoL of the most vulnerable groups of patients. This work also reinforced the relevance of joint bleeds in all aspects of HRQoL in haemophilic patients. The use of prophylactic factor concentrates and multidisciplinary treatments could contribute to improve the quality of life in haemophilia.

Young adults with hemophilia in the U.S.: demographics, comorbidities, and health status

Improvements in hemophilia care over the last several decades might lead to expectations of a near-normal quality of life for young adults with hemophilia. However, few published reports specifically examine health status indicators in this population. To remedy this knowledge gap, we examined the impact of hemophilia on physical and social functioning and quality of life among a national US cohort of 141 young men with hemophilia aged 18-34 years of age who received care at 10 geographically diverse, federally funded hemophilia treatment centers in 11 states between 2005 and 2013 and enrolled in the Hemophilia Utilization Group Studies. Indicators studied included educational achievement, employment status, insurance, health-related quality of life, and prevalence of the following comorbidities: pain, range of motion limitation, overweight/obesity, and viral status. The cohort was analyzed to compare those aged 18-24 to those aged 25-34 years. When compared to the general US adult population, this nationally representative cohort of young US adults with hemophilia experienced significant health and social burdens: more liver disease, joint damage, joint pain, and unemployment as well as lower high-school graduation rates. Nearly half were overweight or obese. Conversely, this cohort had higher levels of health insurance and equivalent mental health scores. While attention has typically focused on newborns, children, adolescents, and increasingly, on older persons with hemophilia, our findings suggest that a specific focus on young adults is warranted to determine the most effective interventions to improve health and functioning for this apparently vulnerable age group.

The impact of joint range of motion limitations on health-related quality of life in patients with haemophilia A: a prospective study

In patients with haemophilia A, repeated occurrences of haemarthrosis and synovitis lead to limitations in range of motion (ROM) of major joints. However, the effect of limitations in joint ROM on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in these patients has not been studied previously. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ROM limitations of 10 major joints (bilateral shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles), combined with other possibly influential factors, on HRQOL in patients with haemophilia A. The ROM limitations in 13 movements and pain intensity of the 10 major joints were measured. The socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded. Short-Form 36 was used as the HRQOL measurement. Eighteen patients (mean age: 36.9 years) were included. Hip ROM limitations, knee ROM limitations and hip pain intensity predicted physical functioning scale (P < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.553). Shoulder ROM limitations and age predicted role limitation were due to emotional problems scale (P < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.373). Elbow ROM limitations and haemophilia severity predicted mental health scale (P = 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.320). Hip ROM limitations predicted social functioning scale (P = 0.041; adjusted R2 = 0.091). Educational level and elbow ROM limitations predicted vitality scale (P < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.416). The ROM limitations of hip, knee, shoulder and elbow could be predictors for HRQOL in patients with haemophilia A. Improving ROM of major joints could be an appropriate treatment strategy to enhance HRQOL in these patients.

Estimates of utility weights in hemophilia: implications for cost-utility analysis of clotting factor prophylaxis

Estimates of preference-weighted health outcomes or health state utilities are needed to assess improvements in health in terms of quality-adjusted life-years. Gains in quality-adjusted life-years are used to assess the cost-effectiveness of prophylactic use of clotting factor compared with on-demand treatment among people with hemophilia, a congenital bleeding disorder. Published estimates of health utilities for people with hemophilia vary, contributing to uncertainty in the estimates of cost-effectiveness of prophylaxis. Challenges in estimating utility weights for the purpose of evaluating hemophilia treatment include selection bias in observational data, difficulty in adjusting for predictors of health-related quality of life and lack of preference-based data comparing adults with lifetime or primary prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis living within the same country and healthcare system.

A comprehensive examination of the model underlying acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain

The therapeutic model underlying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is reasonably well-established as it applies to chronic pain. Several studies have examined measures of single ACT processes, or subsets of processes, and have almost uniformly indicated reliable relations with patient functioning. To date, however, no study has performed a comprehensive examination of the entire ACT model, including all of its component processes, as it relates to functioning. The present study performed this examination in 274 individuals with chronic pain presenting for an assessment appointment. Participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires, assessing multiple aspects of the ACT model, as well as pain intensity, disability, and emotional distress. Initial exploratory factor analyses examined measures of the ACT model and measures of patient functioning separately with each analysis identifying three factors. Next, the fit of a model including ACT processes on the one hand and patient functioning on the other was examined using Structural Equation Modeling. Overall model fit was acceptable and indicated moderate correlations among the ACT processes themselves, as well as significant relations with pain intensity, emotional distress, and disability. These analyses build on the existing literature by providing, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive evaluation of the ACT theoretical model in chronic pain to date.

A biopsychosocial-spiritual model of chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease

Chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex multidimensional experience that includes biologic, psychologic, sociologic, and spiritual factors. To date, three models of pain associated with SCD (i.e., biomedical model, biopsychosocial model for SCD pain, and Health Beliefs Model) have been published. The biopsychosocial multidimensional approach to chronic pain developed by Turk and Gatchel is a widely used model of chronic pain. However, this model has not been applied to chronic pain associated with SCD. In addition, a spiritual/religious dimension is not included in this model. Because spirituality/religion is central to persons affected by SCD, that dimension needs to be added to any model of chronic pain in adults with SCD. In fact, data from one study suggest that spirituality/religiosity is associated with decreased pain intensity in adults with chronic pain from SCD. A biopsychosocial-spiritual model is proposed for adults with chronic pain from SCD, because it embraces the whole person. This model includes the biologic, psychologic, sociologic, and spiritual factors relevant to adults with SCD based on past and current research. The purpose of this paper is to describe an adaptation of Turk and Gatchel's model of chronic pain for adults with SCD and to summarize research findings that support each component of the revised model (i.e., biologic, psychologic, sociologic, spiritual). The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for the use of this model in research.

Healthy aging in relation to chronic pain and quality of life in Europe

OBJECTIVE

To undertake a review of the most recent data on the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and chronic pain, as a basis for discussions about healthy aging in Europe.

METHOD

A search was conducted to obtain studies on the relationship between pain severity and QoL and intervention studies reporting both QoL and pain severity in those with chronic pain in Europe. Medline and Embase were searched for observational studies and systematic reviews from 2009 to 2011. Four further databases were searched for systematic reviews and guidance from 2005 to 2011. Update searches for observational studies and systematic reviews for the period November 2011 to January 2013 were performed on Medline and Embase.

RESULTS

We identified 8 observational studies and 1 systematic review that generally showed a statistically significant relationship between pain severity and QoL. We identified 5 systematic reviews of interventions in chronic pain that summarized both pain and QoL data that generally showed both a statistically significant reduction in pain and statistically significant increase in QoL.

CONCLUSION

There is strong evidence of a correlation between pain severity and QoL. There is some evidence that treatment in chronic pain patients can reduce pain and simultaneously improve QoL. Prevention and treatment of chronic pain may be of significant help in reaching the aim to increase the healthy lifespan.

Repeated autologous intraarticular blood injections as an animal model for joint pain in haemophilic arthropathy

Introduction

Haemophilic arthropathy following recurrent joint bleedings is one of the major disease-related complications in people with haemophilia (PWH), leading to mostly chronic joint pain. Since many antinociceptive principles interfere with the clotting system, PWH are restricted in treatment options, thereby defining a medical need for novel therapeutic principles. However, we lack the availability of an animal model for joint pain in haemophilic arthropathy for testing these.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to validate the rat model of repeated autologous intraarticular blood injections specifically for pain-related behavior. During an observation period of 50 days, groups of animals were injected weekly into one knee joint with either whole blood or cellular/plasma components.

Results

Injections induced primary hyperalgesia starting after the third injection, accompanied by mild functional gait changes and joint swelling. Secondary hyperalgesia and quantitative gait disturbances were not observed. This phenotype was most prominent in whole blood injected animals, with effect sizes of cells and plasma being additive. In order to differentiate haemophilia-related arthropathy from traumatic joint bleeding, another group was injected with whole blood only once, which did not cause any alterations.

Conclusions

Repeated autologous intraarticular injections of blood showed a time course, inflammatory response and reduction in pain thresholds similar to the signs and symptoms observed in PWH. Therefore, this model may be utilised in the future for testing novel antinociceptive principles in haemophilia-associated joint pain.

Acceptance of pain in neurological disorders: associations with functioning and psychosocial well-being

OBJECTIVE

Chronic pain acceptance has been shown to be related to positive adjustment to chronic pain in patients presenting with pain as a primary problem. However, the role of pain acceptance in adjustment to chronic pain secondary to a neurological disorder that is often associated with physical disability has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to examine whether two domains of chronic pain acceptance--activity engagement and pain willingness--predict adjustment to pain, controlling for pain intensity and key demographic and clinical variables in individuals with muscular dystrophy (MD), multiple sclerosis (MS), post-polio syndrome (PPS), or spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHOD

Participants were 508 community-dwelling adults with a diagnosis of MD, MS, PPS, or SCI who also endorsed a chronic pain problem. Participants completed self-report measures of pain acceptance, quality of life, pain interference, pain intensity, depression, and social role satisfaction.

RESULTS

Hierarchical linear regressions indicated that activity engagement predicted lower pain interference and depression, and greater quality of life and social role satisfaction. Pain willingness predicted less pain interference and depression. Together, the two pain acceptance subscales accounted for more variance in outcomes than did self-reported pain intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings correspond with the broader pain acceptance literature, although activity engagement appears to be a more robust predictor of adjustment than does pain willingness. This research supports the need for future studies to determine the extent to which treatments that increase acceptance result in positive outcomes in persons with chronic pain secondary to neurological disorders.

Effect of acute bleeding on daily quality of life assessments in patients with congenital hemophilia with inhibitors and their families: observations from the dosing observational study in hemophilia

INTRODUCTION

Quality-of-life (QOL) assessments in frequently bleeding patients with congenital hemophilia with inhibitors and their families are confounded by preexisting arthropathy and family circumstances. Periodic QOL assessments typically made on nonbleed days may not provide complete reflections of the burden on patients/families.

AIM

To evaluate the impact of bleeding episodes on patients/caregivers/families and the association between monthly QOL scores and patients' average diary experiences.

METHODS

Frequently bleeding inhibitor patients (≥four bleeds in 3 months), or their caregivers, provided daily assessment of EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire and EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire visual analogue scale, pain (11-point Likert scale), and family anxiety/stress/activity change over 3 to 6 months. QOL scores were stratified by bleed/nonbleed days.

RESULTS

Patient QOL assessments were recorded by 37 of the 39 enrolled patients/caregivers (3771 of 3777 eligible dairy days, 472 bleed/3299 nonbleed days). Median (range) diary duration was 91 (66-180) days, with 8.2% (0%-72.2%) bleed days. Mean health scores were significantly worse on bleed days than on nonbleed days (P < 0.0001 for all): EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire index, 0.66 versus 0.82; visual analogue scale health, 69.7 versus 77.4; and pain score, 4.1 versus 1.8. Bleed days also had higher (P < 0.001) proportions of days with abnormalities in family anxiety/stress (42% vs. 30%) and family activity changes (34% vs. 21%).

CONCLUSIONS

Assessing the impact of hemophilia with inhibitors on patient/family QOL typically includes periodic (likely nonbleed day) evaluations reflecting baseline abnormalities. Daily assessment, however, indicated that frequent acute bleeds impair QOL beyond patient's nonbleed day baseline. New approaches are required to assess the cumulative impact of frequent acute bleeds on patients and their families.