Signup for PPM

8 Articles in this Series

Introduction

Back Pain Linked to Falls Among Elderly Men

Chronic Pain after Breast Cancer Surgery Linked to Endogenous Pain Response

Dextrose Injection Shows Efficacy in Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Hospice Caregivers’ Negative Attitudes Toward Opioids May Hinder Patient Care

Insight into Pain Resulting from Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many Generalists Lack Knowledge on Fibromyalgia Diagnosis and Treatment

Patients Undergoing Joint Replacement at Risk for Respiratory Events

Studies in Teens Examine Ways to Reduce Abdominal Pain and the Effect of Pain on Exercise

Chronic Pain after Breast Cancer Surgery Linked to Endogenous Pain Response

By Kristin Della Volpe

Chronic pain resulting from breast cancer surgery is common, occurring in nearly 50% of cases and may be linked to psychosocial factors and reduced endogenous inhibition of pain, according to a recent study. This knowledge may lead to potential targets for prophylactic treatment, noted study author Robert Edwards, PhD, associate professor of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.¹

He evaluated 52 women who underwent breast cancer surgery—approximately half of whom had ongoing pain related to surgery and half who did not. The patients were matched for demographic factors. The women with chronic pain had significantly reduced endogenous pain modulation (assessed using diffuse noxious inhibitory controls and temporal summation paradigms) compared with controls (P<0.05). These differences were partially mediated by psychosocial factors, such as higher levels of catastrophizing in the chronic pain group. Further research is needed to demonstrate causality and identify possible ways to prevent chronic pain from developing in this population.

Reference

Edwards R. Deficits in endogenous pain modulation: Association with long-term postoperative pain. Pain. 2011. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2011.02.079.

Next summary: Dextrose Injection Shows Efficacy in Sacroiliac Joint Pain

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.

Remedy Health Media, LLC does not, by publication of the advertisements contained herein, express endorsement or verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the products and claims contained therein. Remedy Health Media, LLC disclaims any liability for damages resulting from the use of any product advertised herein and suggests that readers fully investigate the products and claims prior to purchasing. The views of the authors are not necessarily those of Remedy Health Media, LLC.

Practical Pain Management is sent without charge 6 times per year to pain management clinicians in the US.

Use of this website is conditional upon your acceptance of our user agreement.

close X

Chronic Pain after Breast Cancer Surgery Linked to Endogenous Pain Response

Subscribe to "Pain Monitor", a PPM eNewsletter for HCPs