Exploring the interplay between catastrophizing and endometriosis pain through 2-wave and intensive longitudinal data
Marcelo França Moreira1, Marco Aurelio Pinho Oliveira2
1Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20551-030, Brazil.
Background:
Endometriosis, characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, results in chronic pelvic pain. However, lesion characteristics alone cannot fully explain the complexity of endometriosis-related pain. Pain catastrophizing, a cognitive process that influences pain perception, has traditionally been studied through cross-sectional or 2-wave designs, which struggle to capture its dynamic interplay with endometriosis pain. To address these gaps, our study explores the bidirectional relationship between pain catastrophizing and pain outcomes-including intensity, frequency, and flares-over a detailed 4-week period and an aggregated 30-day time frame and across sensory and affective dimensions.
Methods:
A latent growth curve model assessed the relationship between pain catastrophizing, initial pain levels, and endometriosis pain trajectories over 4 weeks. Additionally, 4 mediator models explored how baseline pain catastrophizing affects various pain aspects, including sensory and affective dimensions, and its subsequent influence on pain catastrophizing.
Results:
Results indicate that high levels of pain catastrophizing significantly escalate endometriosis pain over 4 weeks, affecting average pain intensity, episode frequency, and flares over 30 days. Pain catastrophizing also adversely impacts sensory and affective dimensions. These elements partially mediate baseline pain catastrophizing's effect on week 5 levels, revealing a bidirectional relationship. Notably, whereas the affective dimension amplifies subsequent pain catastrophizing, the sensory dimension exerts a contrasting negative association.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the bidirectional influence between pain catastrophizing and several aspects of endometriosis-related pain. Sensory and affective dimensions play distinct roles, with implications for personalized interventions. Limitations and clinical relevance are discussed.
Trial Registration:
Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials ID: U1111-1233-4802.
