Classification of circadian pain rhythms and pain characteristics in chronic pain patients: An observational study. Issue 25 (25th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanaka, Yoichi; Shigetoh, Hayato; Sato, Gosuke; Fujii, Ren; Imai, Ryota; Osumi, Michihiro; Morioka, Shu
• Other Names: Zhang. Qinhong section editor.
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 100:Issue 25(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-25
• Subjects: chronic pain -- circadian pain rhythms -- neuropathic pain -- pain management -- psychological factors; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026500
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: This study aimed to perform cluster analysis in patients with chronic pain to extract groups with similar circadian rhythms and compare neuropathic pain and psychological factors among these groups to identify differences in pain-related outcomes. A total of 63 community-dwellers with pain lasting at least 3 months and Numerical Rating Scale scores of ≥2 were recruited from 3 medical institutions. Their pain circadian rhythms were evaluated over 7 days by measuring pain intensity at 6-time points per day using a 10-cm visual analog scale. Cluster analysis was performed using 6 variables with standardized visual analog scale values at 6-time points for individual participants to extract groups with similar pain circadian rhythms. The results of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory and psychological evaluations in each group were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The results revealed 3 clusters with different circadian rhythms of pain. The total and evoked pain subscale Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory scores differed among the 3 clusters. The results suggest that a thorough understanding of circadian pain rhythms in chronic pain patients may facilitate the performance of activities of daily living and physical exercise from the perspective of pain management.