The following is a summary of “A network analysis of pain intensity and pain-related measures of physical, emotional, and social functioning in US military service members with chronic pain,” published in the November 2023 issue of Pain by Wi et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective network analysis to unveil the interconnectedness of pain-related factors in individuals with chronic pain.
They analyzed data from 4,614 active duty service members with chronic pain referred to a military interdisciplinary pain management center (2014 and 2021). Utilizing Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures and other pain-related metrics, using “EBICglasso,” key measures were identified in constructing regularized partial correlation networks.
The results showed that pain interference, depression, and anxiety exhibited the highest strength in the networks. Pain catastrophizing played a crucial role in the association between pain and other health measures related to pain. Bootstrap analyses indicated high network stability, with accurate edge weight estimation in two analyses (with and without pain catastrophizing).
Investigators concluded that network analysis identified strong links between pain interference, depression/anxiety, and pain catastrophizing, suggesting combined treatment for chronic pain.
