In this week's episode of the Spine & Nerve podcast Dr. Nicolas Karvelas and Dr. Brian Joves discuss chronic pain as a disease process. Chronic pain has significant negative impacts on overall health including but not limited to: increased risk of hypertension, increased risk of cognitive decline, negative impact on sleep, and compromise of the immune system.  The key concept is that chronic pain is a disease process, and that this disease process is not solely defined by the experience of pain and consequent limitations. Chronic pain leads to significant consequences in regards to overall health as well.  

 

Chronic pain is very prevalent in our world, with research demonstrating that 20-50% of the world's adult population is affected by chronic pain.  High impact chronic pain (defined as pain on most/every day for 3 months or longer with greater than or equal to 1 associated activity limitation) is estimated to have on overall prevalence of 4.8% in the United States.  Chronic pain is strongly associated with increased risk of disability; however, as stated it is not just the painful symptoms and disability that we need to keep in mind when we are working to optimize treatment for these patients.  

 

Listen as the doctors discuss the research that has been done demonstrating chronic pain's impact on multiple important health conditions, including cardiovascular risk, and cerebral gray matter volume / dementia risk.  It becomes critical not only to educate our patients about this information, but also that we as providers keep this in mind as we work to optimize the symptoms, function, and health of patients with chronic pain.

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only, it is not meant to be medical or career advice. If anything discussed may pertain to you, please seek council with your healthcare provider. The views expressed are those of the individuals expressing them, they may not represent the views of Spine & Nerve.

References:

1. Brain gray matter abnormalities in osteoarthritis pain: a cross-sectional evaluation. Pain. 2020.

2. Prevalence and Profile of High-Impact Chronic Pain in the United States. The Journal of Pain. 2019.

3. Association Between Persistent Pain and Memory Decline and Dementia in a Longitudinal Cohort of Elders. JAMA Intern med. 2017.

4. Long-Term Consequences of Chronic Pain: Mounting Evidence for Pain as a Neurological Disease and Parallels with Other Chronic Disease State. Pain Medicine. 2011.