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The relationship between cigarette smoking and chronic low back pain
R N Jamison1, B A Stetson, W C Parris
1Pain Treatment Service, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Addictive Behaviors
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Chronic pain patients who smoke experience more emotional distress and rely heavily on medication. Smokers may increase cigarette use during intense pain periods, indicating a risk for escalating smoking behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Chronic pain affects a significant portion of the population, often co-occurring with other health behaviors.
- Cigarette smoking is a prevalent habit with known health implications, but its specific relationship with chronic pain requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between habitual cigarette smoking and physical and psychological aspects of chronic pain.
- To explore pain patients' perceptions of smoking's effect on their pain intensity.
Main Methods:
- Review of patient records to identify smoking status among chronic back pain patients.
- Administration of a smoking questionnaire to assess smoking habits and perceptions in relation to pain.
Main Results:
- 54% of back pain patients admitted to smoking; 57% of these smokers reported a need to smoke during pain episodes.
- Despite this, 91% of smokers believed smoking did not affect pain intensity.
- Smokers exhibited higher emotional distress, increased inactivity, and greater medication reliance compared to non-smokers.
Conclusions:
- Habitual cigarette smoking is linked to heightened emotional distress and greater reliance on medication in chronic pain patients.
- Pain patients are susceptible to increasing smoking behavior during periods of intense pain, suggesting a potential cycle of dependence.