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Persistent pain as a disease entity: implications for clinical management.
Philip J Siddall1, Michael J Cousins
1Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Pain Management Research Institute, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. phils@med.usyd.edu.au
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|July 24, 2004
Summary
Persistent pain is more than a symptom; it
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Traditionally, pain is viewed as a passive symptom signaling underlying pathology.
- Treatment typically focuses on resolving the root cause of the pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the conceptualization of persistent pain.
- To explore persistent pain as a disease entity.
Main Methods:
- Review of accumulating evidence on the consequences of persistent nociceptive input.
- Analysis of the impact of genetic, psychological, and social factors.
Main Results:
- Persistent pain leads to widespread consequences beyond nociception, including receptor, mood, cognitive, and social changes.
- These changes support classifying persistent pain as a disease in its own right.
- Environmental factors significantly influence pain perception and expression.
Conclusions:
- Persistent pain should be considered a distinct disease entity.
- Effective management requires addressing pain's consequences and contributing factors, not just its cause.