Association of Chronic Pain With Alcohol Consumption and Tobacco Use in Active Duty Soldiers.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain and lifestyle habits, namely alcohol consumption and tobacco use, impact soldier readiness. This study examines the relationship between chronic pain and these lifestyle habits in soldiers seen at the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center (IPMC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective review utilized data from active duty soldiers receiving treatment at the IPMC. Soldiers (N = 203, 85% men) treated at the IPMC completed an intake questionnaire that included the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise, and inquiries about tobacco use. Tobacco use was quantified as the amount and frequency of cigarettes smoked. Other tobacco products were converted to an equivalent number of cigarettes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and independent samples t-test analyses. RESULTS: The mean duration of pain reported was 34.73 ± 38.66 months (median = 24.00). Soldiers engaging in hazardous drinking reported significantly higher interference with sleep (mean = 6.53 versus 5.40, P = .03) and greater negative effect on mood (mean = 6.33 versus 5.30, P = .04) compared to the no hazardous drinking group. Nonsignificant differences were found between tobacco users and non-tobacco users regarding pain intensity and pain effect on activity, sleep, mood, and stress (all P > .05). Among tobacco users, a significant negative correlation was found between a daily number of cigarettes used and sleep interference (r = -0.29, P = .024) as well as effect on mood (r = -0.33, P = .010). Years of tobacco use showed a significant negative correlation with the average pain intensity (r = -0.32, P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that addressing alcohol consumption is an essential part of chronic pain treatment. The finding of a negative association between years of nicotine use and pain intensity suggests that nicotine use may have served as a coping mechanism. Further research is needed.

Factors Associated With Chronic Pain Intensity in U.S. Army Soldiers.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is prevalent among U.S. military personnel and veterans. The effectiveness of evidence-based pain treatments can be boosted with knowledge of factors associated with chronic pain perception. This study examined the factors that influence soldiers' self-rating of their chronic pain intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was a retrospective review of the intake questionnaire from 203 soldiers seen at an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center. The intake covered various aspects of soldiers' chronic pain experience, including pain intensity, interference in functioning, emotional sequelae, and pain-related catastrophic thinking. Pain intensity and impact were measured using the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale. The mood was measured using the depression (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]-9) and the anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) scales from the PHQ. Pain-related catastrophic thinking was measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Pain interference was assessed using a five-item scale that inquired about concentration, life and recreation enjoyment, task performance, and socializing. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean duration of pain was 34.73 ± 38.66 months. Regression analysis using scores from the PHQ-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, three PCS subscales (rumination, magnification, and helplessness), and pain interference scale as predictors showed that pain interference and PCS helplessness factors were significant predictors of average pain rating (R2 = 24%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Pain interference in functioning and pain-related thoughts of helplessness accounted for a significant degree of the variance in soldiers' self-rating of their chronic pain. The findings suggest that added attention should be directed at helping patients boost their self-efficacy in using pain-coping methods to improve their functioning and address the perception of helplessness about their pain.

Association Between Clinical Depression, Anxiety, and Chronic Pain in the Active Duty Army Personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is highly prevalent among soldiers leading to costly impacts on disability and readiness. Depression and anxiety (D&A) are frequently comorbid with chronic pain, but previous studies tend to focus on reporting the odds of co-occurrence. The aim of this study was to examine the association of properly diagnosed D&A disorders on chronic pain indicators among active duty soldiers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were drawn from the intake assessments of 203 soldiers seen at an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 diagnostic criteria and the D&A subscales of the Patient Health Questionnaire were used to identify patients who met criteria for clinical depression or anxiety. Of the 203 patients, 129 met neither depression nor anxiety criteria (No D&A), 12 met clinical depression criteria only, 16 met clinical anxiety only, and 46 showed coexisting D&A disorders. The D&A and No D&A groups were compared using validated measures to assess the pain intensity rating and pain effect on well-being, physical functioning, and catastrophizing tendency. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test analyses. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the D&A and No D&A groups on all pain-related measures (all Ps < .001). Patients in the D&A group reported higher average intensity of pain (6.11 versus 5.05) and greater effect of pain on activity (6.91 versus 5.37), sleep (7.20 versus 4.90), emotional state (7.74 versus 4.47), and stress (8.13 versus 4.78). Depression and anxiety patients also reported higher pain-catastrophizing tendency (38.56 versus 18.50) and greater physical disability (18.20 versus 12.22). CONCLUSIONS: Soldiers who have chronic pain with coexisting D&A disorders experience a greater degree of perceived negative impacts. Consequently, attentiveness to proper diagnosis and treatment of coexisting clinical mood disorders is an essential step in fully addressing chronic pain management.