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Suri P, Tsepilov YA, Elgaeva EE, Williams FMK, Freidin MB, Stanaway IB. No evidence for causal effects of C-reactive protein (CRP) on chronic pain conditions: a Mendelian randomization study. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.07.03.24309700. [PMID: 39006441 PMCID: PMC11245067 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.03.24309700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Objective We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine causal associations of C-reactive protein (CRP) with (1) spinal pain; (2) extent of multisite chronic pain; and (3) chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. Design Two-sample MR study. Setting/Subjects We used summary statistics from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in multiple cohorts and biobanks. Genetic instrumental variables were taken from an exposure GWAS of CRP (n=204,402). Outcome GWASs examined spinal pain (n=1,028,947), extent of multisite chronic pain defined as the number of locations with chronic pain (n=387,649), and chronic widespread pain (n=249,843). Methods We examined MR evidence for causal associations using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) analysis and sensitivity analyses using other methods. We calculated odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and p-values, using a Bonferroni correction (p<0.0166) to account for 3 primary comparisons. Results Greater serum CRP (mg/L) was not significantly causally associated with spinal pain (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08; p=0.07) in IVW analysis. Greater serum CRP also showed no significant causal association with extent of multisite chronic pain in IVW analysis (beta coefficient= 0.014, standard error=0.011; p=0.19). CRP also showed no significant causal association with chronic widespread pain in IVW analysis (OR=1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00; p=0.75). All secondary and sensitivity analyses also showed no significant associations. Conclusions This MR study found no causal association of CRP on spinal pain, the extent of chronic pain, or chronic widespread pain. Future studies examining mechanistic biomarkers for pain conditions should consider other candidates besides CRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Suri
- Division of Rehabilitation Care Services, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, USA
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Clinical Learning, Evidence, and Research (CLEAR) Center, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Yakov A. Tsepilov
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elizaveta E. Elgaeva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Frances M. K. Williams
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, School of Life Course Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Maxim B. Freidin
- Department of Biology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ian B. Stanaway
- Department of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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Farrell SF, Armfield NR, Cabot PJ, Elphinston RA, Gray P, Minhas G, Collyer MR, Sterling M. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is Associated With Chronic Pain Independently of Biopsychosocial Factors. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:476-496. [PMID: 37741522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is linked with chronic pain but the extent to which this relationship is associated with biopsychosocial factors is not known. We investigated relationships between blood C-reactive protein (CRP) and regional chronic pain conditions adjusting for a large range and number of potential confounders. We performed cross-sectional analyses using the UK Biobank (N = 415,567) comparing CRP in people reporting any of 9 types of regional chronic pain with pain-free controls. Using logistic regression modelling, we explored relationships between CRP and the presence of chronic pain, with demographic, socioeconomic, psychological/lifestyle factors, and medical comorbidities as covariates. CRP was higher in chronic pain at any site compared with controls (Females: median [interquartile range] 1.60 mg/L [2.74] vs 1.17 mg/L [1.87], P < .001; Males: 1.44 mg/L [2.12] vs 1.15 mg/L [1.65], P < .001). In males, associations between CRP and all types of chronic pain were attenuated but remained significant after adjustment for biopsychosocial covariates (OR range 1.08-1.49, P ≤ .001). For females, adjusted associations between CRP and pain remained significant for most chronic pain types (OR range 1.07-1.34, P < .001) except for facial pain (OR 1.04, P = .17) and headache (OR 1.02, P = .07)-although these non-significant findings may reflect reduced sample size. The significant association between CRP and chronic pain after adjustment for key biopsychosocial confounders implicates an independent underlying biological mechanism of inflammation in chronic pain. The presence of yet unknown or unmeasured confounding factors cannot be ruled out. Our findings may inform better-targeted treatments for chronic pain. PERSPECTIVE: Using a large-scale dataset, this article investigates associations between chronic pain conditions and blood C-reactive protein (CRP), to evaluate the confounding effects of a range of biopsychosocial factors. CRP levels were higher in those with chronic pain versus controls after adjusting for confounders-suggesting a possible independent biological mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Farrell
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence: Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; STARS Education and Research Alliance, Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), The University of Queensland and Metro North Health, Herston, QLD, Australia; Tess Cramond Pain & Research Centre, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Nigel R Armfield
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence: Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; STARS Education and Research Alliance, Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), The University of Queensland and Metro North Health, Herston, QLD, Australia; Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter J Cabot
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel A Elphinston
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence: Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; STARS Education and Research Alliance, Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), The University of Queensland and Metro North Health, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul Gray
- Tess Cramond Pain & Research Centre, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia; Royal Brisbane Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gunjeet Minhas
- Tess Cramond Pain & Research Centre, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Martin R Collyer
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence: Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; STARS Education and Research Alliance, Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), The University of Queensland and Metro North Health, Herston, QLD, Australia
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Bellosta-López P, Doménech-García V, Ortiz-Lucas M, Lluch-Girbés E, Herrero P, Sterling M, Christensen SWM. Longitudinal Changes and Associations Between Quantitative Sensory Testing and Psychological Factors in Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses-Based Data Synthesis. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:12-30. [PMID: 37517451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) represent a multifactorial condition often accompanied by altered nociceptive processing and psychological factors. This systematic review on acute and chronic WAD aimed to investigate the relationship between quantitative sensory testing (QST) and psychological factors and quantify whether their trajectories over time follow a similar pattern to disability levels. Eight databases were searched until October 2022. When 2 prospective studies examined the same QST or psychological variable, data synthesis was performed with random-effects meta-analysis by pooling within-group standardized mean differences from baseline to 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. From 5,754 studies, 49 comprising 3,825 WAD participants were eligible for the review and 14 for the data synthesis. Altered nociceptive processing in acute and chronic WAD, alongside worse scores on psychological factors, were identified. However, correlations between QST and psychological factors were heterogeneous and inconsistent. Furthermore, disability levels, some QST measures, and psychological factors followed general positive improvement over time, although there were differences in magnitude and temporal changes. These results may indicate that altered psychological factors and increased local pain sensitivity could play an important role in both acute and chronic WAD, although this does not exclude the potential influence of factors not explored in this review. PERSPECTIVE: Acute WAD show improvements in levels of disability and psychological factors before significant improvements in nociceptive processing are evident. Facilitated nociceptive processing might not be as important as psychological factors in chronic WAD-related disability, which indicates that chronic and acute WAD should not be considered the same entity although there are similarities. Nonetheless, pressure pain thresholds in the neck might be the most appropriate measure to monitor WAD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Bellosta-López
- Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23 km 299, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Víctor Doménech-García
- Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23 km 299, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Ortiz-Lucas
- Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23 km 299, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Enrique Lluch-Girbés
- Physiotherapy in Motion, Multi-Specialty Research Group (PTinMOTION), Department of Physical Therapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Herrero
- iHealthy Research Group. IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza. Department of Physiatry and Nursing. Faculty of Health Sciences, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Michele Sterling
- Recover Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia; Centre of Research Excellence, Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
| | - Steffan W M Christensen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
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Fundaun J, Kolski M, Baskozos G, Dilley A, Sterling M, Schmid AB. Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain 2022; 163:e789-e811. [PMID: 35050963 PMCID: PMC7612893 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT There is no clear understanding of the mechanisms causing persistent pain in patients with whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). The aim of this systematic review was to assess the evidence for nerve pathology and neuropathic pain in patients with WAD. EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCO), and MEDLINE were searched from inception to September 1, 2020. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scales. Fifty-four studies reporting on 390,644 patients and 918 controls were included. Clinical questionnaires suggested symptoms of predominant neuropathic characteristic in 34% of patients (range 25%-75%). The mean prevalence of nerve pathology detected with neurological examination was 13% (0%-100%) and 32% (10%-100%) with electrodiagnostic testing. Patients independent of WAD severity (Quebec Task Force grades I-IV) demonstrated significantly impaired sensory detection thresholds of the index finger compared with controls, including mechanical (SMD 0.65 [0.30; 1.00] P < 0.005), current (SMD 0.82 [0.25; 1.39] P = 0.0165), cold (SMD -0.43 [-0.73; -0.13] P = 0.0204), and warm detection (SMD 0.84 [0.25; 1.42] P = 0.0200). Patients with WAD had significantly heightened nerve mechanosensitivity compared with controls on median nerve pressure pain thresholds (SMD -1.10 [-1.50; -0.70], P < 0.0001) and neurodynamic tests (SMD 1.68 [0.92; 2.44], P = 0.0004). Similar sensory dysfunction and nerve mechanosensitivity was seen in WAD grade II, which contradicts its traditional definition of absent nerve involvement. Our findings strongly suggest a subset of patients with WAD demonstrate signs of peripheral nerve pathology and neuropathic pain. Although there was heterogeneity among some studies, typical WAD classifications may need to be reconsidered and include detailed clinical assessments for nerve integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Fundaun
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Kolski
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Musculoskeletal Outpatient Department, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Georgios Baskozos
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Dilley
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Annina B Schmid
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Canlı K, Billens A, Van Oosterwijck J, Meeus M, De Meulemeester K. SYSTEMIC CYTOKINE LEVEL DIFFERENCES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL SPINAL PAIN COMPARED TO HEALTHY CONTROLS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PAIN SEVERITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. PAIN MEDICINE 2022; 23:1947-1964. [PMID: 35699492 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnac091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although there has been increasing interest in the role of systemic cytokines in chronic spinal pain (CSP), the evidence on their potential contribution is still unclear. Therefore, the current study systematically reviewed the evidence on systemic cytokine level differences between people with CSP compared to healthy controls (HCs) and the potential associations with pain severity. METHODS An electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science and Embase. All included studies were classified as observational studies, exploring the comparison between a CSP group and a HC group, and the association between systemic cytokine levels and pain severity. RESULTS Nine articles were included with a total sample of 400 CSP patients suffering from chronic whiplash associated disorder (CWAD) or chronic low back pain (CLBP). In CLBP, moderate evidence was found for elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and soluble TNF receptor (sTNF-R) type 2, for normal interferon (IFN) γ and IL-2 levels, and for reduced IL-10 levels. No association was found between pain severity and these cytokines in CLBP. In CWAD, moderate evidence was found for elevated CRP and evidence for changes in TNF-α was inconclusive. Evidence for the association between pain severity and CRP was limited, and there is probably no association between pain severity and TNF-α with limited evidence in CWAD. CONCLUSIONS Moderate evidence indicates the presence of systemic inflammation in CSP. Evidence regarding the association between pain severity and systemic cytokines is inconclusive and limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kübra Canlı
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Amber Billens
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Spine, Pain and Head Research Unit Ghent, Ghent University, Belgium.,Pain in Motion International Research Group, www.paininmotion.be, Belgium
| | - Jessica Van Oosterwijck
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Spine, Pain and Head Research Unit Ghent, Ghent University, Belgium.,Pain in Motion International Research Group, www.paininmotion.be, Belgium.,Research Group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (REVAKI), University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Mira Meeus
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Spine, Pain and Head Research Unit Ghent, Ghent University, Belgium.,Pain in Motion International Research Group, www.paininmotion.be, Belgium.,Research Group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (REVAKI), University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Kayleigh De Meulemeester
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Spine, Pain and Head Research Unit Ghent, Ghent University, Belgium.,Pain in Motion International Research Group, www.paininmotion.be, Belgium
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Pro-inflammatory diet associated with low back pain in adults aged 50 and older. Appl Nurs Res 2022; 66:151589. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2022.151589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Farrell SF, Zoete RMJ, Cabot PJ, Sterling M. Systemic inflammatory markers in neck pain: A systematic review with meta‐analysis. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:1666-1686. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott F. Farrell
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland Griffith University Gold Coast Queensland Australia
| | - Rutger M. J. Zoete
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- School of Allied Health Science and Practice The University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Peter J. Cabot
- School of Pharmacy The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
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Gordh T. Analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in pain patients - Can biomarker studies lead to better understanding of the pathophysiology of pain? Scand J Pain 2016; 11:165-166. [PMID: 28850463 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Gordh
- Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
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