Visceral Pain and Life Quality in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury: A Brief Report

J Spinal Cord Med, 2005 · DOI: · Published: July 13, 2005

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the prevalence of visceral pain in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and its impact on their quality of life. Visceral pain, originating from deep visceral structures, is often overlooked compared to neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain. The researchers aimed to determine how common visceral pain is at different time points after SCI and whether it affects the individuals' overall well-being. The study found that the occurrence of visceral pain increased over time after the spinal cord injury. Although visceral pain may not be as common as other types of pain, it may be more prevalent than previously thought. Also, individuals who experienced visceral pain reported lower quality of life compared to those who did not. These findings suggest that clinicians should pay more attention to visceral pain in SCI patients, especially in the long term. Further research is needed to understand the causes and mechanisms of visceral pain, as well as to develop effective interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals with SCI.

Study Duration

15 Years

Participants

33 at 5 years, 132 at 10 years, and 96 at 15 years after injury. Persons with SCI from Craig Hospital and National Model SCI Systems database.

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The rates of visceral pain increased at each measurement (10% at year 5, 22% at year 10, and 32% at year 15).
2
At 10 years after injury, individuals who had reported visceral pain at any time reported a significantly lower quality of life than those without visceral pain.
3
There was no significant difference between individuals with complete injuries vs incomplete injuries in developing visceral pain after injury.

Research Summary

This study examined the prevalence of visceral pain and its relationship to quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) at 5, 10, and 15 years post-injury. The study found that the prevalence of visceral pain increased over time post-SCI, and individuals reporting visceral pain at 10 years post-injury had a significantly lower quality of life. The authors conclude that visceral pain may be underdiagnosed in SCI patients and warrants further longitudinal research to understand its impact on quality of life and to develop targeted interventions.

Practical Implications

Clinical Attention

Clinicians should be more aware of visceral pain as a potential issue for individuals with SCI, especially in the long term.

Further Research

More research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and effective treatments for visceral pain in SCI.

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies are necessary to track the development and progression of visceral pain over time in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Cross-sectional data limits definitive time trend inferences.
2
Limited longitudinal sample size.
3
Single-item question for visceral pain assessment may not capture all criteria.

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