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Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
Published on: July 7, 2023
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Factors Associated with Greater Pain Intensity
Mariano E Menendez1, David Ring1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey Center, Suite 2100, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Hand Clinics
|November 28, 2015
Summary
Pain intensity varies greatly, influenced by stress and poor coping. For orthopedic patients, higher opioid use correlates with worse pain and lower satisfaction, highlighting self-efficacy as the key pain reliever.
Area of Science:
- Pain perception and management
- Orthopedic surgery outcomes
- Psychological factors in pain
Background:
- Pain intensity shows significant variability among individuals experiencing nociception.
- Stress, distress, and ineffective coping strategies are primary drivers of this pain variability.
- Opioid consumption in orthopedic surgery patients is linked to increased pain and reduced satisfaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors influencing pain intensity variation.
- To investigate the relationship between opioid intake, pain intensity, and patient satisfaction in orthopedic surgery.
- To determine the most effective pain management strategy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of patient-reported pain intensity.
- Correlation studies on stress, distress, and coping mechanisms.
- Examination of opioid intake and satisfaction levels in orthopedic surgery patients.
Main Results:
- Pain intensity is highly variable and significantly influenced by psychological factors like stress and coping.
- Increased opioid intake in orthopedic patients is associated with greater perceived pain intensity and diminished satisfaction with pain control.
- Self-efficacy emerged as the most potent factor in pain relief.
Conclusions:
- Psychological factors, particularly self-efficacy, play a crucial role in pain management.
- Opioid-centered pain management strategies in orthopedics may be less effective than enhancing patient self-efficacy.
- Future pain management interventions should focus on bolstering self-efficacy for improved patient outcomes.
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