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Shannon ZK, Long CR, Chrischilles EA, Goertz CM, Wallace RB, Casteel C, Carnahan RM. Effect of chiropractic care on low back pain for active-duty military members: Mediation through biopsychosocial factors. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0310642. [PMID: 39352877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates biopsychosocial factors as mediators of the effect of chiropractic care on low back pain (LBP) intensity and interference for active-duty military members. Data from a multi-site, pragmatic clinical trial comparing six weeks of chiropractic care plus usual medical care to usual medical care alone for 750 US active-duty military members with LBP were analyzed using natural-effect, multiple-mediator modeling. Mediation of the adjusted mean effect difference on 12-week outcomes of PROMIS-29 pain interference and intensity by 6-week mediators of other PROMIS-29 physical, mental, and social health subdomains was evaluated. The effect difference on pain interference occurring through PROMIS-29 biopsychosocial factors (natural indirect effect = -1.59, 95% CI = -2.28 to -0.88) was 56% (95% CI = 35 to 96) of the total effect (-2.82, 95% CI = -3.98 to -1.53). The difference in effect on pain intensity occurring through biopsychosocial factors was smaller (natural indirect effect = -0.32, 95% CI = -0.50 to -0.18), equaling 26% (95% CI = 15 to 42) of the total effect (-1.23, 95% CI = -1.52 to -0.88). When considered individually, all physical, mental, and social health factors appeared to mediate the effect difference on pain interference and pain intensity with mental health factors having smaller effect estimates. In contrast with effects on pain interference, much of the effect of adding chiropractic care to usual medical care for US military members on pain intensity did not appear to occur through the PROMIS-29 biopsychosocial factors. Physical and social factors appear to be important intermediate measures for patients receiving chiropractic care for low back pain in military settings. Further study is needed to determine if the effect of chiropractic care on pain intensity for active-duty military occurs through other unmeasured factors, such as patient beliefs, or if the effect occurs directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacariah K Shannon
- Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA, United States of America
| | - Cynthia R Long
- Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A Chrischilles
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Christine M Goertz
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert B Wallace
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Carri Casteel
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Ryan M Carnahan
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
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Espejo EP, Sheridan TM, Pino CA, Phillips CR, Hanling S. A Functional Restoration Program for Active Duty Service Members With Chronic Pain: Examining the Impact of Co-occurring PTSD on Treatment Response. Mil Med 2024; 189:239-246. [PMID: 39160842 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Standard medical intervention for chronic pain may be less effective in the presence of co-occurring PTSD. Functional restoration programs (FRPs), which combine psychological interventions and progressive exercise rehabilitation, represent an alternative to standard medical intervention for chronic pain. The objective of the current study is to evaluate a FRP serving Active Duty Service Members with chronic pain and to examine whether co-occurring PTSD symptoms are associated with differential treatment response. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study of data previously collected at Naval Medical Center San Diego approved by the Naval Medical Center San Diego Institutional Review Board. The study included 81 Active Duty Service Members, primarily Sailors and Marines, who completed a FRP, and examined pre- to post-treatment changes in Pain Impact Score-a composite measure of pain intensity, pain interference, and physical functioning-as well as measures of mental health and pain cognitions. Co-occurring PTSD symptoms were examined as a potential moderator of treatment response. RESULTS Twenty-three patients (28.4%) screened positive for PTSD during baseline assessments. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed statistically significant improvement in Pain Impact Score for the full sample (P <.001). Although no significant interactions with probable PTSD were demonstrated for measures of pain intensity and physical functioning (both Ps >.05), patients screening positive for PTSD demonstrated a lesser decrease in pain interference compared to patients screening negative for PTSD (P <.01). Improvements in measures of mental health and pain cognitions were also statistically significant for the full sample (all P values <.05) and did not differ as a function of PTSD symptoms (all P values >.05). CONCLUSION This FRP primarily serving Sailors and Marines contributed to broad overall improvements in the domains of pain and functioning as well as mental health and pain cognitions. Co-occurring PTSD symptoms were not associated with poorer treatment response on most measured outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel P Espejo
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Tara M Sheridan
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Carlos A Pino
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Christopher R Phillips
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
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Benedict TM, Nitz AJ, Gambrel MK, Louw A. Pain neuroscience education improves post-traumatic stress disorder, disability, and pain self-efficacy in veterans and service members with chronic low back pain: Preliminary results from a randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 36:376-392. [PMID: 38913769 PMCID: PMC11197901 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2188046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) are frequently co-morbid. Some research suggests that PTSD and CLBP may share common neurobiological mechanisms related to stress. Traditional biomedical education may be ineffective for PTSD and CLBP, especially when co-morbid. The purpose of this study is to determine if pain neuroscience education (PNE) is more effective than traditional education in reducing PTSD, disability, pain, and maladaptive beliefs in patients with CLBP. Participants with CLBP and possible PTSD/PTSD-symptoms were recruited for this study. Participants were randomly allocated to a PNE group or a traditional education group. The intervention included 30 minutes of education followed by a standardized exercise program once a week for 4-weeks with a 4 and 8-week follow-up and healthcare utilization assessed at 12-months. Forty-eight participants consented for this research study with 39 allocated to treatment (PNE n = 18, traditional n = 21). PNE participants were more likely to achieve a clinically meaningful reduction in PTSD symptoms and disability at short-term follow-up. At 12-months, the PNE group utilized healthcare with 76% lower costs. In participants with CLBP, PNE may reduce hypervigilance toward pain and improve PTSD symptoms. Participants who received PNE were more confident body-tissues were safe to exercise. These beliefs about pain could contribute to a decrease in perceived disability and healthcare consumption for CLBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M. Benedict
- Baylor University – Keller Army Community Hospital, Division 1 Sports Physical Therapy Fellowship, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York
| | - Arthur J. Nitz
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Michael K. Gambrel
- Department of Physical Therapy, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Adriaan Louw
- Director of Pain Science, Evidence in Motion, Story City, Iowa
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Vollert J, Kumar A, Coady EC, Cullinan P, Dyball D, Fear NT, Gan Z, Miller EF, Sprinckmoller S, Schofield S, Bennett A, Bull AMJ, Boos CJ, Rice ASC, Kemp HI. Pain after combat injury in male UK military personnel deployed to Afghanistan. Br J Anaesth 2024; 132:1285-1292. [PMID: 38521656 PMCID: PMC11129277 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2024.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain after injury poses a serious health burden. As a result of advances in medical technology, ever more military personnel survive severe combat injuries, but long-term pain outcomes are unknown. We aimed to assess rates of pain in a representative sample of UK military personnel with and without combat injuries. METHODS We used data from the ADVANCE cohort study (ISRCTN57285353). Individuals deployed as UK armed forces to Afghanistan were recruited to include those with physical combat injuries, and a frequency-matched uninjured comparison group. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires, including 'overall' pain intensity and self-assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. RESULTS A total of 579 participants with combat injury, including 161 with amputations, and 565 uninjured participants were included in the analysis (median 8 yr since injury/deployment). Frequency of moderate or severe pain was 18% (n=202), and was higher in the injured group (n=140, 24%) compared with the uninjured group (n=62, 11%, relative risk: 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-1.2, P<0.001), and lower in the amputation injury subgroup (n=31, 19%) compared with the non-amputation injury subgroup (n=109, 26%, relative risk: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.9-1.0, P=0.034). Presence of at least moderate pain was associated with higher rates of post-traumatic stress (RR: 3.7, 95% CI: 2.7-5.0), anxiety (RR: 3.2, 95% CI: 2.4-4.3), and depression (RR: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.7-4.5) after accounting for injury. CONCLUSION Combat injury, but not amputation, was associated with a higher frequency of moderate to severe pain intensity in this cohort, and pain was associated with adverse mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vollert
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK; Pain Research, MSk Lab, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Alexander Kumar
- Pain Research, MSk Lab, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK; Academic Department of Military Rehabilitation, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall Estate, Loughborough, UK
| | - Emma C Coady
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Cullinan
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel Dyball
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicola T Fear
- King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, UK; Academic Department of Military Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Zoe Gan
- Pain Research, MSk Lab, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Eleanor F Miller
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stefan Sprinckmoller
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Suzie Schofield
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alexander Bennett
- Academic Department of Military Rehabilitation, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall Estate, Loughborough, UK; National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony M J Bull
- Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher J Boos
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Dorset, NHS Trust, Poole, UK
| | - Andrew S C Rice
- Pain Research, MSk Lab, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK; Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Harriet I Kemp
- Pain Research, MSk Lab, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Wang X, Huang J, Yang X, Liu Z, Zhou X. Trajectories of parental posttraumatic stress disorder and children's mental health following Super Typhoon Lekima: The mediating role of feeling of safety. J Adolesc 2023; 95:1590-1602. [PMID: 37530099 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several studies have examined the impact of parents' posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on their children's mental health, but few have evaluated the role of parents' specific PTSD trajectories. The aim of this study was to assess the mechanisms underlying distinct trajectories of parental PTSD that affect children's PTSD and depression through the feeling of safety. METHODS The final sample comprised 242 dyads of parents and their children who experienced Super Typhoon Lekima in 2019. All participants were surveyed at three time points after the typhoon: 3 months (T1), 15 months (T2), and 27 months (T3). Parental PTSD symptoms at three time points and children's PTSD, depression, and feeling of safety at T3 were analyzed. RESULTS Four parental PTSD trajectories were identified: recovery, resilience, delayed, and coping. Compared with the resilient group, children of parents with delayed PTSD trajectories reported higher levels of depression at T3, while children of parents in the coping group were more likely to experience severe PTSD at T3. Children of parents in the recovery group, with a reduced feeling of safety, exhibited more severe depression and PTSD at T3, whereas children of parents in the delayed group were at an increased risk of PTSD at T3. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the heterogeneity of parental PTSD trajectories following natural disasters and their distinct effects on children's PTSD and depression. Furthermore, feeling of safety emerges as a crucial mechanism in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiali Huang
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xima Yang
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengyi Liu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Espejo EP, Sheridan TM, Pino CA, Phillips CR. Mental Health Predictors of Response to Standard Medical Intervention at a Military Pain Specialty Clinic. Mil Med 2023; 188:149-156. [PMID: 37948258 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic pain among active duty service members can negatively impact operational readiness and contributes to significant health care costs within military treatment facilities. Response to standard medical intervention (SMI) for chronic pain is highly variable. The objective of the current study was to examine whether mental health indicators predict individual variation in response to SMI for chronic pain in a military pain specialty clinic. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study of data previously collected at the Pain Medicine Center at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) approved by the NMCSD Institutional Review Board. We included 286 ADSMs who completed the Pain Assessment Screening Tool and Outcomes Registry (PASTOR) at two assessment points (mean = 118.45 days apart, SD = 37.22) as part of standard care. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to examine whether pretreatment mental health measures predict changes in the pain impact score (PIS)-a composite measure of pain intensity, pain interference, and physical functioning-over the course of treatment. RESULTS After controlling for pretreatment PIS, pretreatment PTSD symptoms, fatigue, and anger were all significant predictors of posttreatment PIS: Higher PTSD symptoms, higher fatigue, and lower anger predicted poorer response to treatment (all Ps < .05). CONCLUSION Higher pretreatment PTSD and fatigue symptoms may portend poorer response to SMI for chronic pain. Poor response to treatment may also be predicted by lower pretreatment anger. Further investigation is warranted to identify the best strategies for treating chronic pain in military treatment facilities when these conditions are identified during initial evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel P Espejo
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Tara M Sheridan
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Carlos A Pino
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Christopher R Phillips
- Pain Medicine Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
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Bhalla A, Bamer AM, Temes C, Roaten K, Carrougher GJ, Schneider JC, Stoddard FJ, Stewart B, Gibran NS, Wiechman SA. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters as Predictors of Pain Interference in Burn Survivors: A Burn Model System National Database Study. J Burn Care Res 2023; 44:27-34. [PMID: 35866527 PMCID: PMC9990905 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irac088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Individuals who experience burns are at higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. A synergistic relationship exists between posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. We sought to evaluate the role of individual posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters as predictors of pain interference. We hypothesized that the hyperarousal and emotional numbing symptom clusters would be predictive of pain interference, even when accounting for the other two posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters, pain intensity, and other covariates. Multivariate linear regression analyses were completed using data from the Burn Model System National Database. A total of 439 adult participants had complete responses on self-report measures assessing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, pain intensity, and pain interference at 6-month after discharge and were included in analyses. Results indicate hyperarousal (B = .10, p = .03) and emotional numbing (B = .13, p = .01) posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters were each significantly associated with pain interference, even when accounting for pain intensity (B = .64, p < .001). Results highlight the importance of the emotional numbing and hyperarousal posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters in explaining pain interference. Findings suggest that when posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms or chronic pain are present, screening for and treating either condition may be warranted to reduce pain interference. Further, psychological interventions that target emotional numbing and hyperarousal posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms may be fruitful for promoting better coping with chronic pain and reducing pain interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Bhalla
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alyssa M. Bamer
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christina Temes
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kimberly Roaten
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey C. Schneider
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Spaulding Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Frederick J. Stoddard
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Barclay Stewart
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nicole S. Gibran
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shelley A. Wiechman
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Seung HB, Leem J, Kwak HY, Kwon CY, Kim SH. Acupuncture for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and related symptoms after combat exposure: Protocol for a scoping review of clinical studies. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0273131. [PMID: 37083860 PMCID: PMC10120924 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder is caused by traumatic events such as death, serious injury, and sexual violence. Military personnel and veterans are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Conventional posttraumatic stress disorder treatments have certain limitations. Complementary and integrative medicine treatments, especially acupuncture, are potential novel first-line treatments that may overcome these limitations. We aim to investigate the current status of the available clinical evidence related to acupuncture treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in war veterans. We will follow the scoping review process as previously described. The study question is as follows: "Which types of clinical research designs, study types, study durations, adverse events, and clinical outcomes have been reported regarding acupuncture therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans?" We will perform a comprehensive search of Medline, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Scopus databases, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycArticles databases, as well as Chinese, Korean, and Japanese databases, from inception to June 2022. Data from the included studies will be collected and descriptively analyzed in relation to our research question. The extracted data will be collated, synthesized, and summarized according to the analytical framework of a scoping review. The protocol of this study adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews to ensure the clarity and completeness of our reporting in all phases of this scoping review (Protocol registration: https://osf.io/t723f/). The findings of this scoping review will provide fundamental data that will help researchers identify appropriate research questions and design further studies on the use of acupuncture for PTSD management in military veterans. These results will be helpful for developing disaster site-specific research protocols for future clinical trials on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Bin Seung
- College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungtae Leem
- College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui-Yong Kwak
- Republic of Korea Army, Capital Defense Command, Gwacheon-daero, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Young Kwon
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, Dong-Eui University College of Korean Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Sang-Ho Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry of Korean Medicine, Pohang Korean Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Daegu Haany University, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
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Farrell SF, Campos AI, Kho PF, de Zoete RMJ, Sterling M, Rentería ME, Ngo TT, Cuéllar-Partida G. Genetic basis to structural grey matter associations with chronic pain. Brain 2021; 144:3611-3622. [PMID: 34907416 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural neuroimaging studies of individuals with chronic pain conditions have often observed decreased regional grey matter at a phenotypic level. However, it is not known if this association can be attributed to genetic factors. Here we employed a novel integrative data-driven and hypothesis-testing approach to determine whether there is a genetic basis to grey matter morphology differences in chronic pain. Using publicly available genome-wide association study summary statistics for regional chronic pain conditions (n = 196 963) and structural neuroimaging measures (n = 19 629-34 000), we applied bivariate linkage disequilibrium-score regression and latent causal variable analyses to determine the genetic correlations (rG) and genetic causal proportion (GCP) between these complex traits, respectively. Five a priori brain regions (i.e. prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, insula, thalamus and superior temporal gyrus) were selected based on systematic reviews of grey matter morphology studies in chronic pain. Across this evidence-based selection of five brain regions, 10 significant negative genetic correlations (out of 369) were found (false discovery rate < 5%), suggesting a shared genetic basis to both reduced regional grey matter morphology and the presence of chronic pain. Specifically, negative genetic correlations were observed between reduced insula grey matter morphology and chronic pain in the abdomen (mean insula cortical thickness), hips (left insula volume) and neck/shoulders (left and right insula volume). Similarly, a shared genetic basis was found for reduced posterior cingulate cortex volume in chronic pain of the hip (left and right posterior cingulate), neck/shoulder (left posterior cingulate) and chronic pain at any site (left posterior cingulate); and for reduced pars triangularis volume in chronic neck/shoulder (left pars triangularis) and widespread pain (right pars triangularis). Across these negative genetic correlations, a significant genetic causal proportion was only found between mean insula thickness and chronic abdominal pain [rG (standard error, SE) = -0.25 (0.08), P = 1.06 × 10-3; GCP (SE) = -0.69 (0.20), P = 4.96 × 10-4]. This finding suggests that the genes underlying reduced cortical thickness of the insula causally contribute to an increased risk of chronic abdominal pain. Altogether, these results provide independent corroborating evidence for observational reports of decreased grey matter of particular brain regions in chronic pain. Further, we show for the first time that this association is mediated (in part) by genetic factors. These novel findings warrant further investigation into the neurogenetic pathways that underlie the development and prolongation of chronic pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Farrell
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.,NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Road Traffic Injury Recovery, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Adrián I Campos
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Pik-Fang Kho
- Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rutger M J de Zoete
- School of Allied Health Science and Practice, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.,NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Road Traffic Injury Recovery, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Miguel E Rentería
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Trung Thanh Ngo
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland and Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Gabriel Cuéllar-Partida
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland and Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
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