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Does catastrophic thinking enhance oesophageal pain sensitivity? An experimental investigation
Author(s) -
Martel M.O.,
Olesen A.E.,
Jørgensen D.,
Nielsen L.M.,
Brock C.,
Edwards R.R.,
Drewes A.M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1002/ejp.845
Subject(s) - pain catastrophizing , sensitization , medicine , central sensitization , reflux , physical therapy , gastroenterology , chronic pain , disease , nociception , immunology , receptor
Background Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease ( GORD ) is a major health problem that is frequently accompanied by debilitating oesophageal pain symptoms. Objectives The first objective of the study was to examine the association between catastrophizing and oesophageal pain sensitivity. The second objective was to examine whether catastrophizing was associated with the magnitude of acid‐induced oesophageal sensitization. Methods Twenty‐five healthy volunteers (median age: 24.0 years; range: 22–31) were recruited and were asked to complete the Pain Catastrophizing Scale ( PCS ). During two subsequent study visits, mechanical, thermal, and electrical pain sensitivity in the oesophagus was assessed before and after inducing oesophageal sensitization using a 30‐min intraluminal oesophageal acid perfusion procedure. Results Analyses were conducted based on data averaged across the two study visits. At baseline, catastrophizing was significantly associated with mechanical ( r = −0.42, p < 0.05) and electrical ( r = −0.60, p < 0.01) pain thresholds. After acid perfusion, catastrophizing was also significantly associated with mechanical ( r = −0.58, p < 0.01) and electrical ( r = −0.50, p < 0.05) pain thresholds. Catastrophizing was not significantly associated with thermal pain thresholds. Subsequent analyses revealed that catastrophizing was not significantly associated with the magnitude of acid‐induced oesophageal sensitization. Conclusion Taken together, findings from the present study suggest that catastrophic thinking exerts an influence on oesophageal pain sensitivity, but not necessarily on the magnitude of acid‐induced oesophageal sensitization. What does this study add? Catastrophizing is associated with heightened pain sensitivity in the oesophagus. This was substantiated by assessing responses to noxious stimulation of the oesophagus using an experimental paradigm mimicking features and symptoms experienced by patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).