[Psychological factors associated with chronic pain]

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Medicine

Context:

• Chronic pain significantly impacts patient well-being.
• Understanding psychological comorbidities is crucial for effective pain management.
• Existing literature often suffers from sample selection biases.

Purpose:

• To review current knowledge on the complex relationship between chronic pain and psychological aspects.
• To examine the interplay of pain with personality, psychopathology, and environmental stress.
• To identify areas for future research in chronic pain management.

Summary:

• The review critically analyzes the connections between chronic pain and personality traits, psychological disorders, and environmental stressors.
• It highlights shared neurochemical pathways between chronic pain and depression, suggesting novel research avenues.
• The authors emphasize the need for improved clinical characterization and prognostic understanding of chronic pain.

Impact:

• Provides a comprehensive overview of psychological factors influencing chronic pain.
• Identifies research gaps and potential therapeutic targets.
• Aims to improve the clinical management and prognosis of individuals with chronic pain.