Scientific poster abstracts from the 24th annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine

ORLANDO – Pain medicine investigators will present preliminary research findings on Thursday, February 14, 2008, at poster sessions held during the 24th annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine at the Gaylord Palms, Orlando, February 12-16, 2008.

All abstract titles are listed in this document. The introduction, conclusion, investigator listing, and funding source are included for eight abstracts identified as being of interest to the media.

100
Smoking and Neuropathic Pain

Introduction: This study aims to determine the percentage of community subjects with chronic neuropathic pain that smoke. (205 subjects)

Conclusions: Smoking was twice as common (62% versus 33%) in subjects that were diagnosed by clinical assessment as having neuropathic versus nociceptive pain. Similar differences were not found among those positive and negative on screening assessment for neuropathic pain. The possible physiological relationship between smoking and development of chronic neuropathic pain deserves further evaluation.

Investigators: Todd G. Call, MD Mayo, Toby N. Weingarten, MD, James C. Watson, MD, W. Michael Hooten, MD, Peter C. Wollan, PhD Mayo, Lee J. Melton, MD, Barbara P. Yawn, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN

Editor’s note: Funding was provided by AstraZeneca and NIH grant AR30852.

102
What Are the Variables That Are Associated with the Patient’s Wish to Sue His Physician in Patients with Acute and Chronic Pain?

Objectives: Although there is limited research on patient attributes that may be related to reasons for launching a malpractice suit, no such research has been performed in patients with acute (APPS) or chronic (CPPS) pain. The objective of this study was then to develop some statistical models that would describe such patients’ attributes.

Conclusions: CPPS are at greater risk than patients without pain and APPS for harboring the Sue-MD wish. Some patient attributes and the referral/treatment situation appear to be important predictors for harboring this issue but differ between APPS and CPPS.

Investigators: David A. Fishbain, MD FAPA University of Miami School of Medicine, Coconut Grove, FL, Daniel Bruns, PsyD Health Psychology Associates, Greeley, CO, John Mark Disorbio, EdD Integrated Therapies, Lakewood, CO, John E. Lewis, PhD University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.

Editor’s note: Funding was provided by Pearson Assessments.

105
The Immediate and Long-Term Benefits of Physical Conditioning in Chronic Pain Patients

Introduction: A frequent co-morbid condition of chronic pain is profound physical deconditioning that results from inactivity. Objective assessment of physical conditioning in patients with chronic pain has been impeded by several factors that this study attempted to overcome. Of primary importance is verifying the efficacy of a physical reconditioning program. Further, decreases in pain, depression, and anxiety following treatment in a pain rehabilitation program have been well documented; however, no study has determined the immediate effects of brief exercise on these factors. The purposes of this study are a) to determine the effect of a 3 week aerobic training program on physical conditioning, and b) to assess the acute effects of a brief (10 minute) exercise protocol on pain, mood, and perceived exertion.