Association between tobacco use and central sensitization: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Pain research
• Clinical psychology
• Public health

Background:

• Central sensitization (CS) is a complex condition often associated with chronic pain.
• Understanding factors influencing CS severity is crucial for effective management.
• Tobacco use is a prevalent behavior with potential health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between tobacco use and central sensitization (CS).
• To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with CS severity, measured by the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 380 adults in Türkiye.
• Data collected via online surveys assessing demographic, clinical, and tobacco use variables.
• Central sensitization assessed using the CSI; regression analyses identified predictors of CSI scores.

Main Results:

• Tobacco users exhibited significantly higher CSI total scores compared to non-users (p=0.029).
• A higher proportion of individuals with CSI scores ≥ 40 were tobacco users (p=0.003).
• Independent predictors of CSI scores included age, female sex, chronic disease, chronic pain, and tobacco use (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Tobacco use is positively associated with greater central sensitization symptom severity.
• While causality cannot be established due to the study design, findings suggest a correlation.
• Screening for smoking habits may offer valuable context in chronic pain clinical evaluations.