Citation

Clark JMR, Cao Y, Krause JS. J. Pain 2016; 18(2): 166-177.

Affiliation

College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 77 President St, Suite C101, MSC 700, Charleston, SC 29425. Electronic address: krause@musc.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpain.2016.10.011

PMID

27836813

Abstract

Our purpose was to identify risk of pain medication misuse (PMM) among participants with spinal cord injury (SCI) by examining associations with multiple sets of risk factors including demographic and injury characteristics, pain experiences, frequency of pain medication use, substance use, personality, and depressive symptoms. Risk of PMM was defined by a cut-off score equal to or greater than 30 as measured by the Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ) and examined in 1,619 adults with traumatic SCI of at least 1-year duration who reported at least one painful condition and use of prescription pain medication using a cross-sectional design.

RESULTS indicated 17.6% of participants had scores of 30 or higher on the PMQ. After controlling for demographic, injury, and pain characteristics, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that being a current smoker, recently using cannabis (behavioral factors), and multiple psychological factors were associated with risk of PMM, as indicated by scores on the PMQ. These included elevated depressive symptomatology and exhibiting impulsive or anxious personality traits. As risk of PMM is indicated in individuals with SCI, prescribers should assess and monitor multiple risk factors for PMM including substance use behaviors and psychological indicators. PERSPECTIVE: This manuscript identifies behavioral substance use and psychological factors associated with risk of PMM, as measured by the PMQ, among those with SCI. Identification of these related variables will help healthcare professionals better prescribe and monitor pain medication use and/or misuse among individuals with SCI.

Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en