Exploring the interplay between catastrophizing and endometriosis pain through 2-wave and intensive longitudinal data

Area of Science:

• Reproductive medicine and pain research.

Background:

• Endometriosis causes chronic pelvic pain, but pain characteristics alone don't explain pain complexity.
• Pain catastrophizing, a cognitive factor, influences pain perception but its dynamic role in endometriosis pain is understudied.
• Previous research designs limit understanding the interplay between pain catastrophizing and endometriosis pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bidirectional relationship between pain catastrophizing and endometriosis pain outcomes over a 4-week period.
• To analyze the influence of pain catastrophizing on pain intensity, frequency, and flares.
• To examine the distinct roles of sensory and affective dimensions in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Latent growth curve modeling to assess pain catastrophizing and endometriosis pain trajectories.
• Mediator models to explore how baseline pain catastrophizing affects pain dimensions and subsequent catastrophizing.
• Longitudinal 4-week study design to capture dynamic changes.

Main Results:

• High pain catastrophizing significantly increases endometriosis pain intensity, frequency, and flares over 4 weeks.
• Pain catastrophizing negatively impacts both sensory and affective pain dimensions.
• A bidirectional relationship was observed, with affective dimensions amplifying pain catastrophizing and sensory dimensions showing a contrasting negative association.

Conclusions:

• Pain catastrophizing and endometriosis pain exhibit a bidirectional influence.
• Sensory and affective dimensions play distinct, crucial roles in modulating this relationship.
• Findings suggest potential for personalized interventions targeting cognitive and emotional aspects of endometriosis pain.