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Assessing Risk Factors and Comorbidities in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Narrative Review

  • Chronic Pain Medicine (O Viswanath, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Chronic pain affects a significant portion of the population globally, making it a leading cause of disability. Understanding the multifaceted nature of chronic pain, its various types, and the intricate relationship it shares with risk factors, comorbidities, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety is critical for comprehensive patient care. Factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), age, gender, and obesity collectively add layers of complexity to chronic pain experiences and pose management challenges.

Recent Findings

Low SES presents barriers to effective pain care, while gender differences and the prevalence of chronic pain in aging adults emphasize the need for tailored approaches. The association between chronic pain and physical comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes mellitus reveals shared risk factors and further highlights the importance of integrated treatment strategies. Chronic pain and mental health are intricately linked through biochemical mechanisms, profoundly affecting overall quality of life. This review explores pharmacologic treatment for chronic pain, particularly opioid analgesia, with attention to the risk of substance misuse and the ongoing opioid epidemic. We discuss the potential role of medical cannabis as an alternative treatment with a nuanced perspective on its impact on opioid use.

Summary

Addressing the totality and complexity of pain states is crucial to individualizing chronic pain management. With different types of pain having different underlying mechanisms, considerations should be made when approaching their treatment. Moreover, the synergistic relationship that pain states can have with other comorbidities further complicates chronic pain conditions.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA

    Sage V. Hebert, Melanie A. Green, Sydney A. Mashaw, William D. Brouillette, Angela Nguyen & Kylie Dufrene

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA

    Anitha Shelvan, Shilpadevi Patil, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi & Alan D. Kaye

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Toxicology, and Neurosciences, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA

    Alan D. Kaye

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  1. Sage V. Hebert
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  2. Melanie A. Green
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Contributions

Study concept and design: SVH, MAG, SAM, WDB, AN, KD, AS, PS, SA, SS, ADK. Analysis and interpretation of data: SVH, MAG, SAM, WDB, AN, KD, AS, PS, SA, SS, ADK. Drafting of the manuscript: SVH, MAG, SAM, WDB, AN, KD, AS, PS, SA, SS, ADK.Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: SVH, MAG, SAM, WDB, AN, KD, AS, PS, SA, SS, ADK.

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Correspondence to Sahar Shekoohi.

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Hebert, S.V., Green, M.A., Mashaw, S.A. et al. Assessing Risk Factors and Comorbidities in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Narrative Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-024-01249-z

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