Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a family of prevalent chronic pain disorders affecting masticatory muscles and/or the temporomandibular joint. There is no unequivocally recognized peripheral aetiology for idiopathic TMD. The central nervous system (CNS) may initiate and/or maintain the pain in idiopathic TMD due to sustained or long-term nociceptive input that induces maladaptive brain plasticity, and/or to inherent personality-related factors that may reduce the brain's capacity to modulate nociceptive activity. The main aim of this thesis is to determine whether there are structural neural abnormalities in patients with TMD, and whether these abnormalities are related to TMD pain characteristics, or to neuroticism. The specific aims are to delineate in TMD: (1) gray matter (GM) brain abnormalities and the contribution of pain and neuroticism to abnormalities; (2) the contribution of abnormal brain GM aging in focal cortical regions associated with nociceptive processes; and (3) abnormalities in brain white matter and trigeminal nerve and the contribution of pain. In groups of 17 female patients with TMD and 17 age- and sex- matched controls, magnetic resonance imaging revealed that patients with TMD had: (1) thicker cortex in the somatosensory, ventrolateral prefrontal and frontal polar cortices than controls, (2) cortical thickness in motor and cognitive areas that was negatively related to pain intensity, orbitofrontal cortical thickness that was negatively correlated to pain unpleasantness, and thalamic GM volume correlated to TMD duration, (3) an abnormal relationship between neuroticism and orbitofrontal cortical thickness, (4) abnormal GM aging in nociceptive, modulatory and motor areas, (5) widespread abnormalities in white matter tracts in the brain related to sensory, motor and cognitive functions, (6) reduced trigeminal nerve integrity related to pain duration, and (7) abnormal connectivity in cognitive and modulatory brain regions. In sum, this thesis demonstrates for the first time abnormalities in both peripheral nerve and CNS in patients with TMD.

The overall aim of this thesis was to gain new knowledge of factors and interventions that improve work ability and return to work (RTW) among women on long-term sick leave from human service organizations (HSOs). The specific aims of the studies were: to evaluate the associations between the self-rated Work Ability Index (WAI) and Work Ability Score (WAS), and the relationship with prospective sick leave, symptoms, and health (Paper I); to investigate whether intervention with myofeedback training or intensive muscular strength training could decrease pain and increase work ability among women with neck pain (Paper II); to examine the associations between workplace rehabilitation and the combination of supportive conditions at work with work ability and RTW over time (Paper III); and to explore experiences, views, and strategies in the rehabilitation process for RTW (Paper IV). This thesis is based on a prospective cohort study (n=324) and a randomized controlled study (RCT) (n=60, participants with neck pain). Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The data collection consisted of questionnaires, laboratory-observed data, register-based data, and interviews. The results showed a very strong association between WAI and WAS, and results predicted future sick leave degree, health-related quality of life, vitality, neck pain, self-rated general health, self-rated mental health, behavioral stress, and current stress (Paper I). In the RCT (Paper II), individuals in the myofeedback intervention group increased their vitality and work ability over time and individuals in the intensive musculoskeletal strength training group increased their WAI, WAS, and mental health over time. WAI, WAS, and RTW increased over time among individuals provided with workplace rehabilitation and supportive conditions at work (Paper III) such as a sense of feeling welcome back at work, influence at work, possibilities for development, degree of freedom at work, meaning of work, quality of leadership, social support, sense of community, and work satisfaction. Women described (Paper IV) how they were striving to work and how they had different views, strategies, and approaches in the rehabilitation process for RTW. They expressed a desire to work, their goals for work, and their wishes for work. In the rehabilitation process for RTW they described their interaction with stakeholders as either controlling the interaction or struggling in the interaction. They described strategies to cope with RTW in terms of yo-yo (fluctuating) working: yo-yo working as a strategy or yo-yo working as a consequence. This thesis identifies factors of importance in improving work ability and RTW among women on long-term sick leave from HSOs. For women with neck pain, the intervention study showed feasibility of the intervention and demonstrated improved work ability and decreased pain (Paper II). The intensive muscular strength training program, which is easy for the individual to learn and perform at home, was associated with increased work ability. The results regarding rehabilitation highlight the importance of integrating workplace rehabilitation with supportive conditions at work to increase work ability and improve RTW (Paper III). Women expressed that they were striving to work and that they wanted to work (Paper IV). These women were “going in and out” of work participation (yo-yo working) as a way to handle the rehabilitation process. For assessing the status and progress of work ability among women on long-term sick leave, the single-question WAS may be used as a compliment to the full WAI as a simple indicator (Paper I). / <p>Akademisk avhandling som för avläggande av medicine doktorsexamen vid Sahlgrenska akademin, Göteborgs universitet, kommer att offentligen försvaras i hörsal Hamberger, Medicinaregatan 16 A, Göteborg, måndagen den 6 oktober 2014, klockan 09.00</p>

At present, there are few clinically effective pain therapies available to treat chronic pain. One reason is due to a lack of understanding about how pain emerges in the brain. Excitingly, an emerging body of work suggests that the perfusion imaging technique, arterial spin labelling (ASL), is particularly well-suited to investigate this issue. The primary aim of this thesis is to develop and optimise a quantitative perfusion imaging approach to investigate the neural correlates of both experimental and pathological tonic pain. In Chapter 2, we explore different methods of inducing ongoing pain in healthy subjects. Results from this study show that mechanically induced pain is well suited for use in ASL FMRI experiments. In Chapter 3, we compare currently available ASL FMRI approaches for investigating tonic states, using a range of sensory paradigms. Results from these experiments support the use of an optimised version of Continuous ASL (CASL) FMRI to obtain whole-brain perfusion. Additionally, we discuss our decision to proceed with the newly acquired pseudo-continuous ASL (pCASL); a novel ASL technique that benefits from maximal signal-to-noise (SNR) across a whole-brain volume. In Chapter 4 we implement the pCASL FMRI approach to image the neural correlates of ongoing experimental pain. Results from the investigation of parametrically modulated ongoing mechanical pain show robust pain-related activation of key pain related regions that are monotonically active with an increase in stimulus intensity. Additionally, data from this experiment shows the presence of complex perfusion dynamics relative to pain worthy of further study. In Chapter 5, we optimised the pCASL sequence to obtain absolute perfusion changes across the whole-brain volume, using multi-inversion times, so that we could investigate the perfusion dynamics observed in Chapter 4. Results show that absolute perfusion changes during tonic pain are considerably less than for regions recruited during a non- pain task. Additionally, dynamic perfusion changes show complex stimulus responses across all active regions regardless of stimulus type. We conclude that while the technique is well suited to quantify absolute perfusion, the mechanisms underlying the dynamic changes in CBF (neuronal signal, neurovascular coupling) need further study. Finally, in Chapter 6, we implement the absolute perfusion approach developed in Chaper 5 to interrogate the neural correlates of the genetic pain disease, Erythromelalgia, and pleasurable relief. The results of this study show pain-related activation (and relief-induced reduction) of key pain-related regions. We conclude from these results that the ASL technique developed over the course of this thesis can be used to study a range of pain pathologies. Taken together, the results of this thesis document the development of a powerful perfusion imaging technique capable of quantifying absolute perfusion changes across a whole-brain volume. The data presented here from investigations of both experimental and pathological pain states supports the use of this technique in future tonic pain studies, as well as other neuroscience applications. We are confident that implementation of this imaging approach will provide integral insight into the mechanisms of ongoing pain states; and further the development of novel efficacious pain treatment options.

Objectif : Cette thèse a pour objectif de mieux comprendre l’effet du stress sur la douleur aiguë et chronique. Devis expérimental : 16 patients souffrant de douleur chronique lombalgique et 18 sujets contrôles ont participé à une étude d’imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) et ont collecté des échantillons de salive afin de quantifier les niveaux d’hormone de stress (i.e. cortisol) la journée de l’étude (réponse réactive) et durant les sept jours consécutifs suivants (réponse basale). Étude 1 : Une première étude a examiné le lien entre les niveaux de cortisol basal, le volume de l’hippocampe et l’activité cérébrale évoquée par la douleur thermique chez des patients souffrant de douleur chronique et les sujets contrôles. Les résultats révèlent que les patients souffrant de douleur chronique avaient des niveaux de cortisol plus élevés que ceux des sujets contrôles. Chez ces patients, un niveau élevé de cortisol était associé à un plus petit volume de l'hippocampe et à davantage d’activation dans le gyrus parahippocampique antérieure (une région impliquée dans l'anxiété anticipatoire et l'apprentissage associatif). De plus, une analyse de médiation a montré que le niveau de cortisol basal et la force de la réponse parahippocampique explique statistiquement l’association négative entre le volume de l'hippocampe et l'intensité de la douleur chronique. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’activité endocrinienne plus élevée chez les patients ayant un plus petit hippocampe modifie le fonctionnement du complexe hippocampique et contribue à l’intensité de la douleur chronique. Étude 2 : La deuxième étude a évalué la contribution de la réponse de stress réactif aux différences interindividuelles dans la perception de la douleur aiguë chez des patients souffrant de douleur chronique et chez des sujets normaux. Les deux groupes ont montré des augmentations significatives du niveau de cortisol en réponse à des stimulations nocives administrées dans un contexte d’IRM suggérant ainsi que la réactivité de l’axe hypothalamo-hypophyso-surrénalien est préservée chez les patients lombalgiques. De plus, les individus présentant une réponse hormonale de stress plus forte ont rapporté moins de douleur et ont montré une réduction de l'activation cérébrale dans le noyau accumbens, dans le cortex cingulaire antérieur (CCA), le cortex somatosensoriel primaire, et l'insula postérieure. Des analyses de médiation ont indiqué que la douleur liée à l'activité du CCA explique statistiquement la relation entre la réponse de stress et le désagrément de la douleur rapportée par les participants. Enfin, des analyses complémentaires ont révélé que le stress réduit la connectivité fonctionnelle entre le CCA et le tronc cérébral pendant la douleur aiguë. Ces résultats indiquent que le stress réactif module la douleur et contribue à la variabilité interindividuelle de l'activité cérébrale et la réponse affective à la douleur. Discussion : Conjointement, ces études suggèrent dans un premier temps que la douleur chronique peut être exacerbée par une réponse physiologique inadéquate de l'organisme exposé à un stress récurrent, et en un second temps, que le CCA contribuerait à l'analgésie induite par le stress. Sur le plan conceptuel, ces études renforcent le point de vue prédominant suggérant que la douleur chronique induit des changements dans les systèmes cérébraux régissant les fonctions motivationnelles et affective de la douleur. / Goal : This thesis aimed at better understanding the impact of stress on acute and chronic pain. Experimental design: 16 patients with chronic low back pain pain and 18 control subjects participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study and collected saliva samples to quantify the levels of stress hormone (ie cortisol) the day of study (reactive response) and during the following 7 consecutive days (basal response). Study 1: The first study examined the associations between basal levels of cortisol, the hippocampal volumes, and brain activation to thermal stimulations in the low back pain patients and the healthy controls. Results showed that CBP patients have higher levels of cortisol than controls. In these patients, higher cortisol was associated with smaller hippocampal volume and stronger pain-evoked activity in the anterior parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), a region involved in anticipatory-anxiety and associative learning. Importantly, the results revealed that the cortisol levels and phasic pain responses in the PHG of the patients mediated a negative association between the hippocampal volume and the chronic pain intensity. These findings support a stress model of chronic pain suggesting that the higher levels of endocrine activity observed in individuals with a smaller hippocampii induces changes in the function of the hippocampal complex that may contribute to the persistent pain states. Study 2: The second study assessed the magnitude of the acute stress response to the noxious thermal stimulations administered in a MRI environment and tested its possible contribution to individual differences in pain perception. The two groups showed similar significant increases in reactive cortisol across the scanning session when compared to their basal levels, suggesting normal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis reactivity to painful stressors in chronic back pain patients. Critically, individuals with stronger cortisol responses reported less pain unpleasantness and showed a reduction of BOLD activation in nucleus accumbens at the stimulus onset and in the anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC), the primary somatosensory cortex, and the posterior insula during heat pain. Mediation analyses indicated that pain-related activity in the aMCC mediated the relationship between the reactive cortisol response and the pain unpleasantness reported by the participants. Psychophysiological interaction further revealed that stress reduced functional connectivity between the aMCC and the brainstem during pain. These findings indicate that acute stress responses modulate pain in humans and contribute to individual variability in pain affect and pain-related brain activity. Discussion: Taken together, these studies firstly support recent theories suggesting that chronic pain could be partly maintained by maladaptive physiological responses of the organism facing a recurrent stressor and secondly revealed the neural correlates of stress-induced analgesia. On a conceptual level, these findings are important because they strengthen the predominant view that chronic pain does not disrupt the acute response to stress and the sensory dimension of pain, but rather induces long-term changes in neural systems underlying affective-motivational functions.

La gestion de la douleur neuropathique reste un challenge en médecine, malgré le nombre de traitements actuellement disponible. L'expérimentation animale a généré beaucoup d'informations concernant la douleur, mais ces connaissances demeurent insuffisantes pour développer de nouveaux analgésiques plus efficaces tout en restant sécuritaires. La douleur est un symptôme clinique complexe avec de multiples origines, et les mécanismes de douleur centraux et périphériques dépendent de l'évolution de la pathologie. Il est donc essentiel d'investiguer plus profondément les mécanismes moléculaires responsables de l'initiation et du maintien de la douleur, afin de cibler de nouvelles voies de transmission de la nociception plus prometteuses pour soulager la neuropathie et développer de meilleures stratégies thérapeutiques. Ce projet s'est donc intéressé plus particulièrement à la famille des tachykinines issues du gène TAC1 (substance P, ses précurseurs et métabolites, et neurokinine A sont les peptides ciblés pour ce projet de recherche), une famille de neuropeptides qui joue un rôle critique dans la transmission nociceptive. Pour réaliser cette étude, nous avons d'abord développé une stratégie de quantification afin de quantifier les expressions des différents neuropeptides bioactifs cibles, par HPLCMS/ MS. Puisqu'il existe différentes stratégies de quantification des peptides par HPLCMS/ MS, une méthode analytique fiable et robuste était nécessaire pour répondre aux objectifs de recherche. Nous avons développé une méthode utilisant la quantification relative avec un étalon interne stable marqué isotopiquement. En effet, pour quantifier les neuropeptides d'intérêt de l'étude, c'est la stratégie qui s'est avérée la plus reproductible et précise. Suite à la mise au point de la stratégie de quantification, nous avons utilisé des modèles animaux, souvent nécessaires pour faire progresser la recherche scientifique sur la compréhension de la douleur / The management of neuropathic pain remains a challenge in medicine, despite the availability of numerous drugs. Animal experimentation has generated a tremendous amount of information about pain, but this knowledge is still insufficient for new more efficient and safe analgesics. Pain is a complex clinical symptom with multiple origins, and peripheral and central pain mechanisms depend on the pathology evolution. Thus, it is essential to further investigate the mechanisms responsible for the initiation and maintenance of pain in order to develop better effective therapies. This project is particularly focused on the tachykinin family encoded by TAC1 gene (substance P, its precursors and metabolites, neurokinin A), a family of neuropeptides that plays a critical role in nociceptive transmission. We initially developed a quantification strategy in order to study the targeted bioactive neuropeptide expression modulation by HPLC-MS and HPLC-MS/MS. And it is critical to develop reliable and robust analytical methods to reach the objectives. So, we developed a method using relative quantification with stable isotopic labeled internal standards. In fact, in order to quantify target neuropeptides, this strategy was the most reproducible and accurate. Following the development of the relative quantification strategy, we used validated animal models, fundamental to better knowledges of painful molecular mechanisms

Kronisk smärta är ett samhällsproblem med stor påverkan på människors liv och som innebär höga kostnader för vården. Tillståndet skapar frustration för både patienter och vårdpersonal på grund av att det saknas effektiv behandling och det är svårt att förklara smärtans uppkomst om ingen somatisk diagnos finns. Detta ledder till att patienterna blir misstrodda och nonchalerade eller sedda som fuskare som vill utnyttja välfärden. Många blir misstänkta för drogberoende och empati saknas i möten med vården. Som en konsekvens tappar patienterna tillit till vården och undviker till och med att söka vård överhuvudtaget. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva upplevelsen av bemötande inom vården hos patienter med kronisk smärta. Tio vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderades och analyserades efter en noggrann och strukturerad litteratursökning. Ett nytt resultat tog form som indelades i tre huvudkategorier: kronisk smärta - en otillfredsställande diagnos, att bli misstrodd samt att bli lyssnad till och bekräftad. Resultatet diskuterades sedan i relation till annan forskning. Denna studie skulle på ett enkelt sätt kunna tillgodogöras av vårdpersonal och i en förlängning kunna bidra till ökad förståelse för vilka faktorer som underlättar en god vård för patienter med kronisk smärta.

Dor neuropática e neuropatia causadas pelo quimioterápico oxaliplatina são comuns e causam restrições às atividades funcionais e qualidade de vida. Muitos estudos têm quantificado e qualificado esses sintomas, porém raramente utilizando amostra expressiva e instrumentos validados e específicos para este fim. Neste estudo é proposta uma análise ampla, por instrumentos que quantificam e qualificam a dor e neuropatia relacionadas à oxaliplatina e suas características associadas. Objetivos: Identificar a prevalência de dor neuropática e neuropatia periférica em doentes com câncer colorretal recebendo tratamento com oxaliplatina durante os seis meses de tratamento quimioterápico e após seguimento (de 3 a 6 meses); avaliar, comparar e descrever as características da dor e neuropatia nesta população e avaliar seu impacto nas atividades de vida diária e qualidade de vida. Métodos: Foram incluídos 110 doentes (média 55,6 anos) com câncer colorretal durante o tratamento quimioterápico com oxaliplatina e seguidos por 3 a 6 meses após quimioterapia. Os doentes responderam ao questionário sócio-demográfico e a questionários específicos para dor e neuropatia antes da quimioterapia e bimestralmente por até seis meses durante a quimioterapia e em avaliação de seguimento realizada de 3 a 6 meses após o término da quimioterapia. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Questionário de Qualidade de Vida da Organização Européia para Pesquisa e Tratamento do Câncer - C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30); Questionário de Dor McGill reduzido (QDMR), Inventário de Sintomas de Dor Neuropática (ISDN), Inventário Breve de Dor (BPI-Brief Pain Inventory) Questionário de Dor Neuropática 4 (DN4), Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS), Escore Total de Neuropatia (TNS - Total Neuropathy Score). Resultados: Em geral, a dor e neuropatia aumentaram durante o período de quimioterapia e diminuíram após fim do tratamento, permanecendo em níveis significativamente mais elevados após o fim do tratamento quimioterápico. A média de intensidade de dor (dor mais intensa) segundo o IBD foi 2,54 na V3 (após 4 meses de tratamento com oxaliplatina). A dor foi do tipo neuropática em 21,67% dos doentes ao fim da quimioterapia e em 10,00% após fim do seguimento. As médias segundo o ISDN foram 0,67 no basal, 18,67 na V2, 17,77 na V3, 17,44 após quimioterapia e 11,03 após seguimento. A característica da dor mais frequente foi em choque elétrico, enjoada e incômoda segundo o QDMR e segundo o ISDN foram choque elétrico, frio doloroso e dormência. A qualidade de vida sofreu impacto negativo. Conclusões: Dor neuropática foi prevalente após a quimioterapia e após seguimento e se associou com interferência negativa sobre as atividades diárias. Estes dados poderão auxiliar o desenvolvimento de tratamentos individualizados da neuropatia relacionada à oxaliplatina / Neuropathic pain and neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin chemotherapy are common and cause restrictions in activities of daily living and quality of life. Many studies have quantified and qualified these symptoms but only rarely used a comprehensive sample of patients and employed validated and specific instruments for pain assessment. In this study we proposed a comprehensive analysis by instruments that quantify and qualify the pain and neuropathy and its characteristics. Aim of Investigation: To identify the prevalence of neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy in patients with colorectal cancer receiving treatment with oxaliplatin during the six months of chemotherapeutic treatment and after follow-up (3 to 6 months); to evaluate, compare and describe pain and peripheral neuropathy characteristics in this population and evaluate their impact on activities of daily living. Methods:110 patients (mean 55.6 years) with colorectal cancer were included during the six months of chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and follow-up (3 to 6 months) after chemotherapeutic treatment. Patients answered socio-demographic questionnaires and specific assessment tools for pain and neuropathy evaluation at the baseline visit and every 2 months during chemotherapy and after follow-up (3-6 months). The instruments used were: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30); Reduced McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Neuropathic Pain Diagnostic Questionnaire (DN4), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Total Neuropathy Score (TNS), Results: In general, pain and neuropathy intensity increased during chemotherapy and decreased after the end of treatment (follow-up). The most severe pain according to the BPI was 2.54 in V3 (after 4 months treatment with oxaliplatin). Pain was neuropathic in 21.67% right after chemotherapy and in 10.00% after follow-up according to the DN4. The average sum of neuropathic pain symptoms according to the NPSI were 0.67 in V1, 18.67 in V2, 17.77 in V3, 17.44 after chemotherapy and 11.03 after follow-up. The most common characteristics of the pain was electric shocks, nauseating and fearful, according to MPQ and according to NPSI were electric shock, evoked by cold stimuli and tingling. Conclusions: Patients treated with oxaliplatin had significant pain and neuropathy that negatively interfeared with daily activities. These data may help tailor individualized treatment of chemotherapy related neuropathic pain

Proporção significativa dos doentes que preenchem os critérios atuais que caracterizam a síndrome fibromiálgica apresenta dor assimétrica e alterações do exame da sensibilidade distintas dos doentes com a apresentação clássica, \"simétrica\", de fibromialgia (SFM). Denomina-se esta entidade clínica como Síndrome Dolorosa Disfuncional com Sensibilidade Exteroceptiva Assimétrica (SFM-SDDSEA). Este grupo de doentes apresenta particularidades quanto ao resultado do tratamento e impactos negativos na qualidade de vida significativamente distintos daqueles com o quadro de fibromialgia \"clássica\". O presente estudo objetivou analisar aspectos clínicos, psicofísicos e neurofisiológicos de amostra de doentes que preenchem os novos critérios diagnósticos da SFM e que apresentam SFM-SDDSEA comparando-os aos dos doentes com SFM \"clássica\" e aos voluntários saudáveis. Método. Foram incluídas 32 doentes (45,9±8,5 anos) do sexo feminino que preencheram os Critérios para o Diagnóstico de Fibromialgia do Colégio Americano de Reumatologia (CAR) de 2010 e 31 voluntárias saudáveis (43±2 anos). Dezenove doentes apresentavam quadro clínico \"clássica\" da SFM e 13, SFM-SDDSEA (dor assimétrica e definida como EVA com diferença maior que 40% entre os dois dimídios). Foram utilizados para a avaliação: a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), a Versão Resumida do Questionário de Dor McGill, a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HAD), o Questionário de Impacto de Fibromialgia (QIF), o Inventário Breve de Dor (IBD), os valores dos limiares de dor à pressão nos pontos dolorosos mensurados com o algiômetro de Fischer (PD), o teste quantitativo de sensibilidade (TQS) e a excitabilidade cortical aferida com estimulação magnética transcraniana (EMT). Resultados. Os doentes com SFM-SDDSEA apresentaram maior escores de interferência da dor nas atividades diárias em relação aos com SFM (54,7±8,9 e 37,6±13,5; respectivamente, p < 0,0001) e maior impacto da dor na qualidade de vida em relação a SFM de acordo com o QIF (73,6±13,9 e 58,3±13,9; respectivamente, p < 0,004). Doentes com SFM-SDDSEA apresentaram limiares de dor à pressão assimétrica, sendo mais baixos no hemicorpo onde a dor era mais intensa (27,74±7,90 e 35,86±8,37; respectivamente, p=0,007). Nos doentes do grupo SFM-SDDSEA, os limiares de dor à pressão do lado mais doloroso foram semelhantes aos dos doentes com SFM (27,77±1,25 e 27,74±2,20; respectivamente, p=0,472), ao passo que os limiares no hemicorpo menos doloroso foram significativamente mais elevados do que os de doentes com SFM (35,86±2,32 e 27,77±1,25; respectivamente, p<0,031). Os doentes com SFM-SDDSEA apresentaram valores maiores de facilitação intracortical no hemisfério contralateral ao hemicorpo em que a dor era mais intensa (1,64±1,06 e 3,35±2,31; respectivamente, p=0,008) e maior amplitude de potencial evocado motor (PEM) à 140% do limiar motor (827±996 e 2134±1495; respectivamente, p=0,005). Conclusões. Doentes com SFM-SDDSEA apresentaram maior impacto dos sintomas dolorosos na qualidade de vida e maior interferência nas atividades diárias, alterações da excitabilidade cortical e limiares de evocação de dor frente aos estímulos pressóricos diferentes daqueles com SFM. Estes resultados indicam que a SFM-SDDSEA constitui entidade clínica à parte, com mecanismos de ocorrência de doença, resposta ao tratamento e prognósticos diferentes da SFM \"clássica\" / Aim of Investigation: A significant proportion of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) present asymmetrical ongoing pain and abnormalities on the physical examination that are not present in patients with \"classical\" symmetric FMS. From the clinical perspective, this condition has been named FMS-Dysfunctional Pain Syndrome with Asymmetrical Exteroceptive Sensibility (DPSAES). Patients with DPSAES usually present higher negative impact in quality of life when compared to the more \"classic\" FMS patients. The present study aimed at characterizing the clinical, psychophysical and neurophysiological aspects of the FMS-DPSAES patients and compared them to those of \"classic\" FMS patients and healthy controls. Methods: Thirty-two patients (45.9±8.5yo) fulfilling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology FMS Diagnostic Criteria and 31 age-matched healthy controls (HC) (43.0±2.1 yo) were included. Nineteen patients had \"classical\" FMS and 13 had FMS-DPSAES (defined as asymmetrical pain with a more than 40% pain intensity difference between body sides). The following tools were used: The Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), the Short Version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). The quantitative sensory test battery was performed and included pressure, thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds in both hands and suprathreshold stimulations. Cortical excitability measurements were performed in all participants with the transcranial magnetic stimulation. Results: When compared to patients with \"classical\" FMS patients with DPSAES presented higher scores in pain interference in daily activities (54.73±8.90 and 37.66±13.56; respectively; p < 0.0001); higher negative impact in quality of life (73.67±13.90 and 58.38±13.97; respectively, p < 0.004), and lower pressure pain thresholds on the most painful body side (27.74±7.96 and 35.86±8.37; respectively, p=0.007). Cortical excitability parameters were asymmetrical in FMS-DPSAES patients and showed higher intracortical facilitation (3.35±2.31 and 1.64±1.06; respectively, p=0.008) and higher amplitude of motor evoked potentials in the brain hemisphere contralateral to the more painful body side in FMS-DPSAES (2134±1495 and 827±996; respectively; p=0.005). Conclusions: Patients with FMS-DPSAES had higher negative impact in quality of life, distinct cortical excitability profile changes and different pressure pain thresholds compared to patients with \"classical\" FMS. The current evidence suggests that FMS-DPSAES may be a clinical entitiy distinct from FMS with its own mechanisms, response to treatment and prognosis

INTRODUÇÃO: Considerando que a dor é multifacetada e levando em conta a importância em realizar uma aproximação às vivências de pessoas acometidas por enfermidades relacionadas à cronicidade deste adoecimento, este trabalho buscou contribuir para o conhecimento a respeito do fenômeno da dor enfatizando o discurso tanto de doentes submetidos à redução aguda da nocicepção por cirurgia, como também de pessoas com neuropatia periférica congênita. MÉTODOS: O acompanhamento dos 15 participantes com dor crônica (pacientes com cordotomia cervical por dor oncológica refratária e rizotomia trigeminal percutânea por neuralgia do trigêmeo) se deu no ambulatório de Neurologia do Hospital das Clínicas ao longo de 12 meses, em três momentos distintos: pré-operatório (V1), pós-operatório imediato (V2) e pós-operatório posterior (V3) (após 4 meses da intervenção). Para a avaliação quantitativa do fenômeno da dor, foram aplicados instrumentos utilizados habitualmente no Departamento: o Questionário Sociodemográfico e o Protocolo de Modulação Condicionada da Dor (MCD) somente no primeiro momento; e o Questionário para Diagnóstico de Dor Neuropática 4 (DN4), o Inventário de Sintomas de Dor Neuropática (NPSI), o Inventário Breve de Dor (BPI), o McGill Breve, a Escala de Catastrofismo Associado à Dor (PCS) e a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e de Depressão (HADS). As entrevistas abertas foram realizadas em três momentos, embasando-se no método fenomenológico hermenêutico. Para enriquecer a compreensão de que a nocicepção é um dos fatores, mas não o único que influência a ocorrência do fenômeno da dor e se aproximar do aspecto do sofrimento, também foram entrevistadas duas pessoas acometidas por Neuropatias Hereditárias Sensoriais Autonômicas (HSAN), que não apresentam sensibilidade à dor. Estes participantes foram acompanhados em momento único, no qual, além da realização da entrevista, foram aplicados o Questionário Sociodemográfico e a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e de Depressão (HADS). RESULTADOS: Percebeu-se através da análise quantitativa das escalas aplicadas que, no geral, houve uma tendência de diminuição da dor e dos índices de ansiedade após a realização do procedimento cirúrgico. Esta redução se apresentou de maneira mais significativa entre os pacientes com câncer. Os escores do DN4 (6,9±2,3; 2,7±2,2; 5,5±2,5) foram significantes nos diferentes momentos e diminuíram entre as visitas V1 e V2. Para o NPSI os valores foram significantes apenas entre as visitas V1 e V2, apresentando os respectivos valores (65,6±12; 26,4±13,7). O valor da média de interferência do BPI mostrou-se diferente entre os momentos V1 e V2 com valores médios de (60,3±14,1; 15,7±13,3). Os valores do questionário McGill Breve para dor foram (6,1±1,5 e 2,0±1,0) respectivamente para V1 e V2 no componente sensitivo, para o componente afetivo os valores foram (2,8±1,8; 0,3±0,6) respectivamente. Para escala de humor os padrões mantiveram-se semelhantes aos das escalas de dor, houve uma queda dos valores entre a visita 1 e 2 para a escala PCS que se manteve na visita 3. Não houve significância entre os momentos para a escala HADS depressão. Já para a HADS ansiedade houve uma queda nos valores entre V1 e V2, assim como entre as visitas V1 e V3. Ou seja, não houve significância entre V2 e V3. As entrevistas foram analisadas a partir de Unidades de Sentido que emergiram a partir do discurso dos participantes. Para o momento V1, foram consideradas as unidades: Tempo de Procura por um Diagnóstico, Relação com o Cônjuge e Família, Trabalho, Relação com a Morte e Expectativa de Melhora. Nos momentos V2 e V3, as mesmas unidades foram mantidas, com exceção de \"Tempo de Procura por Diagnóstico\". Na análise dos doentes com insensibilidade à dor, foram mantidas as mesmas Unidades de Sentido do outro grupo de participantes, com exceção de \"Relação com a morte\" e \"Expectativas de melhora\". O aspecto da escuta apresentou-se como de extrema importância para a compreensão dos doentes com dor crônica entendendo-os antes da realização de procedimento neurocirúrgico, imediatamente após a neurocirurgia e em momento posterior. Também se tornou possível a escuta do relato das pessoas que, por possuírem uma condição de insensibilidade à dor, apresentam uma experiência diferenciada de sofrimento frente ao aspecto da dor / INTRODUCTION: Considering that pain is multifaceted and acknowledging the importance to approach the experiences of people affected by illness related to its chronicity, this work sought to contribute to the knowledge about the phenomenon of pain emphasizing the discourse of both patients submitted to acute reduction of nociception by surgery, and also of people with congenital peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: The follow-up of the 15 participants with chronic pain (patients with cervical cordotomy for refractory oncologic pain and percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia) occurred at the Neurology outpatient clinic of the Hospital das Clínicas during 12 months at three different moments: preoperative (V1), immediate postoperative (V2) and late postoperative (V3) (after 4 months of intervention). For the quantitative evaluation of pain phenomenon, instruments commonly used in the Department were applied: the Sociodemographic Questionnaire and the Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) protocol only at the first moment; and the Questionnaire for Diagnosis of Neuropathic Pain (DN4), the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The open interviews were carried out in three moments, based on the hermeneutic phenomenological method. To enrich the understanding that nociception is one of the factors, but not the only one that influences the occurrence of pain phenomenon and to approach the aspect of suffering, two people affected by Autonomic Sensorial Hereditary Neuropathies (HSAN) were also interviewed. These participants were followed in a single moment, in which, in addition to the interview, the Sociodemographic Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were applied. RESULTS: It was noticed through the quantitative analysis of the scales that, in general, there was a tendency to decrease pain and anxiety indexes after performing the surgical procedure. This reduction was more significant among cancer patients. The DN4 scores (6,9±2,3; 2,7±2,2; 5,5±2,5) were significant at different moments and decreased between visits V1 and V2. For NPSI values were significant only between visits V1 and V2, presenting the respective values (65,6±12; 26,4±13,7). The mean value of BPI interference was different between moments V1 and V2 with mean values of (60,3±14,1; 15,7±13,3). The values of McGill questionnaire for pain were (6,1±1,5 e 2,0±1,0) respectively for V1 and V2 in the sensory component, and for the affective component the values were (2,8±1,8; 0,3±0,6) respectively. For mood scales the patterns remained similar to those of the pain scales, there was a decrease in the values between visit 1 and 2 for the scale PCS that remained at visit 3. For HADS Depression scale there was no significance between the different moments. Considering the HADS Anxiety scale there was a decrease in the values between V1 and V2, as well as between visits V1 and V3, but there was no significance between V2 and V3 moments. The interviews were analyzed from Units of Meaning that emerged from the discourse of the participants. For the V1 moment, the following units were considered: Search Time for a Diagnosis, Relationship with Spouse and Family, Work, Relationship with Death and Expectation of Improvement. At moments V2 and V3, the same units were maintained, except for \"Search Time for a Diagnosis\". In the analysis of patients with HSAN condition the same Units of Meaning were kept, except for \"Relationship with Death\" and \"Expectation of Improvement\". The listening aspect was extremely important for the understanding of patients with chronic pain in the three different moments, before performing a neurosurgical procedure, immediately after neurosurgery and at a later time. It also brought the opportunity to listen to the ones with HSAN condition who present a differentiated experience of suffering towards pain

Introdução: A dor pélvica crônica é uma condição clínica de elevada prevalência, cuja compreensão da fisiopatologia envolvida, ainda é parcial. A IASP (International Association for Study of Pain) define DPC como: dor crônica ou persistente percebida em estruturas relacionadas à pelve (sistema digestório, urinário, genital, miofascial ou neurológico), frequentemente associada com consequências emocionais, sexuais, comportamentais e cognitivas negativas, assim como com sintomas sugestivos de disfunções daqueles sistemas. Incluem-se tanto dor cíclica, como dismenorreia, quanto acíclica. Do ponto de vista temporal, considera-se crônica, via de regra, quando a duração é igual ou superior a seis meses (http://www.iasp-pain.org/files/Content/ContentFolders/Publications2/ClassificationofChronicPain/Part_II-F.pdf; acessado em 13 de novembro de 2014). Está associada a diversas comorbidades e impacto conjugal, social e econômico desfavorável. Embora sugestivo, não temos dados objetivos de países em desenvolvimento sobre a associação de maus tratos sofridos na infância com dor pélvica crônica e sua relação com sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. Objetivos: Investigar a prevalência de maus tratos na infância em mulheres com dor pélvica crônica e sua correlação com os transtornos do humor. Casuísticas e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo do tipo transversal, no qual foram incluídas 77 mulheres com DPC atendidas consecutivamente em um ambulatório especializado de dor pélvica crônica. Optamos também por avaliar um grupo de 77 mulheres saudáveis atendidas no ambulatório de ginecologia geral. Utilizamos o Questionário Sobre Traumas na Infância (QUESI) para avaliar a prevalência de maus tratos gerais e específicos, enquanto que os escores de risco para ansiedade e depressão foram obtidos pela Escala de Medida de Ansiedade e Depressão Hospitalar (HAD) e a intensidade de dor foi avaliada a partir da Escala Analógica Visual (EVA). A análise estatística dos dados se deu pelo teste DAgostino para averiguar se as variáveis contínuas apresentavam distribuição normal. Optamos por avaliarmos a diferença entre os grupos através do teste de Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) e a análise de diferenças entre proporções utilizamos o teste Qui-Quadrado. Para atingir o objetivo foi proposto uma análise de correspondência múltipla Foi utilizado a plataforma multivariada para avaliar a correlação entre o QUESI e os escores de ansiedade e depressão com estimativa de robustez para não considerar eventuais outliers. Resultados: A prevalência de maus tratos na infância foram 77,9% e 64,9%, respectivamente para mulheres com e sem DPC (p = 0.05). Em relação a exposição a 3 e/ou 4 eventos múltiplos de maus tratos na infância, obtivemos as seguintes prevalências para as mulheres com e sem DPC, respectivamente: 23,4% e 15,6% (p= 0.05); 18,2% e 10,4% (p= 0.03). A prevalência de abuso sexual, abuso físico, abuso emocional, negligência física e negligência emocional, respectivamente para mulheres com DPC e saudáveis, foram: 29,9% e 20,8% (p= 0.19); 45,4% e 31,2% (p= 0.07); 48% e 35,1% (p= 0.10); 58,4% e 44,1% (p= 0.08) e 58,4% e 41,5% (p= 0.04). Somente o subtipo negligência emocional apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa. A prevalência de sintomas significativos de ansiedade e depressão nos grupos com dor e controle foram respectivamente: 55,8% (43/77) e 40,2% (31/77) (p= 0.05); 45,4% (35/77) e 23,4% (18/77) (p= <0.01). Quando correlacionamos os dados obtidos nos instrumentos QUESI e HAD no grupo de DPC e controle, observamos uma correlação positiva entre elas, porém não identificamos a mesma correlação nos subtipos abuso sexual (HAD-D) e negligência física (HAD-A) no grupo controle. A análise de correspondência múltipla mostra uma correspondência entre presença de dor pélvica crônica e raça (cor não branca) e escolaridade abaixo de 10 anos; e correspondência entre sintomas significativos de ansiedade e depressão com múltiplos maus tratos (mais que dois ou três) e, especificamente com negligência emocional, abuso emocional, abuso físico e abuso sexual. Conclusões: Mulheres com DPC apresentam índices de negligência emocional maiores que o grupo de mulheres saudáveis e maiores indices de risco de transtornos de humor específicos quando correlacionados ambos instrumentos. Pacientes com DPC apresetaram sintomas de depressão e ausência de atividade laboral remunerada que se associam de modo independente, sendo fatores de riscos que podem levar, à longo prazo, o desenvolvimento de DPC na população feminina. / Background: Chronic pelvic pain is a clinical condition of high prevalence, whose understanding of the pathophysiology involved, is still partial. IASP (International Association for the Study of Pain) define CPP as chronic or persistent pain perceived in the pelvis related structures (digestive system, urinary, genital, myofascial or neurological), often associated with emotional, sexual, behavioral and cognitive negative consequences, as well as with symptoms suggestive of dysfunction of those systems. Include both cyclic pain, such as dysmenorrhoea, the acyclic. The time point of view, it is considered chronic, as a rule, when the duration is less than six months (http://www.iasp-pain.org/files/Content/ContentFolders/Publications2/ClassificationofChronicPain/Part_II-F.pdf; accessed on November 13, 2014). Is associated with several comorbidities and marital impact, social and economic unfavorable. Although suggestive, we have no objective data from developing countries on the involvement of abuse suffered in childhood with chronic pelvic pain and its association with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of child maltreatment in women with chronic pelvic pain and its correlation with mood disorders. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, in which were included 77 women with CPP seen consecutively in an outpatient clinic for chronic pelvic pain. We chose also evaluate a group of 77 healthy women attended the general gynecology outpatient clinic. We use the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (QUESI) to assess the prevalence of poor general and specific treatment, while the risk scores for anxiety and depression were obtained by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale (HAD) and pain intensity was evaluated from the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical analysis of data was by D\'Agostino test to see if continuous variables normally distributed. We chose to evaluate the difference between the groups using the Wilcoxon test (Mann-Whitney) test and the analysis of differences between proportions used the chi-square test. To achieve the goal has been proposed a multiple correspondence analysis. We used multivariate platform to evaluate the correlation between the QUESI and the scores of anxiety and depression with robustness estimated not to consider any outliers. Results: The prevalence of childhood maltreatment were 77.9% and 64.9% respectively for women with and without CPP (p = 0.05). Regarding exposure to 3 and / or 4 multiple events of childhood maltreatment, we obtained the following rates for women with and without CPP, respectively: 23.4% and 15.6% (p = 0.05); 18.2% and 10.4% (P = 0.03). The prevalence of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect and emotional neglect, respectively for women with CPP and healthy, were 29.9% and 20.8% (p = 0.19); 45.4% and 31.2% (p = 0.07); 48% and 35.1% (p = 0.10); 58.4% and 44.1% (p = 0.08) and 58.4% and 41.5% (P = 0.04). Only the emotional neglect subtype showed a statistically significant difference. The prevalence of significant symptoms of anxiety and depression in groups with pain control and were, respectively, 55.8% (43/77) and 40.2% (31/77) (p = 0:05); 45.4% (35/77) and 23.4% (18/77) (p = <0.01). When we correlate the data from the instruments QUESI and HAD in CPS and control groups, we observed a positive correlation between them, but did not identify the same correlation in subtypes sexual abuse (HAD-D) and physical neglect (HAD-A) in the control group. Multiple correspondence analysis shows a correlation between the presence of chronic pelvic pain and race (non-white) and schooling below 10 years; and correspondence between significant symptoms of anxiety and depression with multiple abuse (more than two or three) and specifically with emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. Conclusions: Women with CPP have higher emotional neglect rates that the group of healthy women and higher indices of risk specific mood disorders when correlated both instruments. Patients with CPP show symptoms of depression and lack of paid work activity that are associated independently, and risk factors that can lead in the long run, the CPP development in the female population.