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Published on: June 23, 2009
Pain and pain-related interference associated with recurrent aphthous ulcers
Jeffrey J Sherman1, Roland Barach, Kellie K Whitcomb
1Department of Oral Medicine, University of Washington School of Dentistry, Box 356370 Seattle, WA 98195, USA. jeffreys@uwashington.edu
Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) cause moderate pain and functional impairment. While pain intensity is not linked to psychological factors, pain-related interference is significantly influenced by them.
Area of Science:
- Oral Medicine
- Pain Research
- Psychology
Background:
- Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) are common oral lesions.
- Understanding the impact of RAU on pain and daily functioning is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pain and functional interference in RAU patients.
- To assess psychological symptoms in RAU subjects.
- To explore relationships between physical and psychological factors and RAU pain/interference.
Main Methods:
- 47 subjects with active RAU completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale and Symptom Checklist-90R (SCL-90R).
- Ulcer pain intensity was measured before and after saline swabbing.
- Statistical models analyzed predictors of pain intensity and interference.
Main Results:
- Mean pain intensity was 4.76; pain-related interference was 1.21.
- No elevated psychological symptoms were reported on the SCL-90R.
- Pain intensity was predicted by pre-swabbing pain (43.6% variance); psychological factors did not significantly add to this model.
- Psychological characteristics significantly predicted pain-related interference (50.5% variance).
Conclusions:
- RAU is a moderately painful condition impacting function.
- Pain intensity in RAU is not significantly influenced by psychological characteristics.
- Pain-related interference in RAU is associated with psychological factors, not physical ones.
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