Serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in adolescents: interaction of chronic pain and obesity. (22nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raff, Hershel; Phillips, Jonathan M.; Simpson, Pippa M.; Weisman, Steven J.; Hainsworth, Keri R.
• Is Part Of: Pain reports. Volume 5:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: e836
• Publication Date: 2020-07-22
• Subjects: Children -- Youth -- Inflammation -- Biomarkers -- Body mass index -- suPAR
• DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000836
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-2531

Abstract

Abstract : Pediatric chronic pain is exacerbated by obesity. Serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, a novel inflammation biomarker, was increased in obese adolescents with chronic pain indicating interactive inflammatory conditions. Abstract: Introduction: Obesity in adolescents is increasing in frequency and is associated with short-term and long-term negative consequences that include the exacerbation of co-occurring chronic pain. Objective: To determine whether the interaction between chronic pain and obesity would be reflected in changes in serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) concentrations, a novel marker of systemic inflammation associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. Methods: We measured serum suPAR levels in 146 adolescent males and females with no pain or obesity (healthy controls; n = 40), chronic pain with healthy weight (n = 37), obesity alone (n = 41), and the combination of chronic pain and obesity (n = 28). Results: Serum suPAR (median [interquartile range]) was not increased by chronic pain alone (2.2 [1.8–2.4] ng/mL) or obesity alone (2.2 [2.0–2.4] ng/mL) but was increased significantly with the combination of chronic pain and obesity (2.4 [2.1–2.7] ng/mL; P < 0.019). This finding confirms the proposition that pain and obesity are inflammatory states that display a classic augmenting interaction. Conclusion: We propose that measurement of serum suPAR can be added to the armamentarium of serum biomarkers useful in the evaluation of mechanisms of inflammation in adolescent obesity and chronic pain.