Psychological variables associated with foot function and foot pain in patients with plantar heel pain

It is widely accepted that psychological variables are associated with self-reported pain and self-reported physical function in patients with musculoskeletal pain. However, the relationship between psychological variables and foot pain and foot function has not been evaluated in people with plantar heel pain. Eighty-four participants with plantar heel pain completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale short version (DASS-21) and Foot Health Status Questionnaire. Using a hierarchical regression analysis, a baseline model with age, sex and BMI explained 10 % of the variability in foot function. The addition of depression and stress in separate models explained an additional 7.3 % and 8.1 % of foot function scores, respectively. In the respective models, depression was a significant predictor (β?=??0.28; p?=?0.009) as was stress (β?=??0.29; p?=?0.006). Females drove the effect between stress and foot function (β?=??0.50; p?=?0.001) and depression and foot function (β?=??0.53; p?<?0.001). In regression models for foot pain, depression, anxiety and stress did not contribute significantly to pain scores. When the data was stratified by sex, stress (β?=??0.36; p?=?0.024) and depression (β?=??0.41; p?=?0.013) were significantly associated with foot pain in females but not in males. For participants with plantar heel pain, stress and depression scores were significantly associated with foot function but not foot pain. When the data was stratified by sex, stress and depression were significant predictors of foot pain and function in females.     

The association between body mass index and musculoskeletal foot disorders: a systematic review

The primary aim of this systematic review was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and foot disorders. The secondary aim was to investigate whether weight loss is effective for reducing foot pain. Five electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid AMED, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library) and reference lists from relevant papers were searched in April 2011. Twenty‐five papers that reported on the association between BMI and musculoskeletal foot disorders met our inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The evidence indicates: (i) a strong association between increased BMI and non‐specific foot pain; and (ii) a strong association between increased BMI and chronic plantar heel pain in a non‐athletic population. The evidence is inconclusive regarding the relationship between BMI and the following specific disorders of the foot; hallux valgus, tendonitis, osteoarthritis and flat foot. With respect to our second aim, there were only two prospective cohort studies that reported a reduction in foot symptoms following weight loss surgery. In summary, increased BMI is strongly associated with non‐specific foot pain in the general population and chronic plantar heel pain in a non‐athletic population. However, there is currently limited evidence to support weight loss to reduce foot pain.     

Phantom shocks unmasked: clinical data and proposed mechanism of memory reactivation of past traumatic shocks in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Background

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), despite an unequivocal clinical benefit, are known to have a complex psychosocial impact on the patients. ICD shocks and the resultant psychobiological changes are known to contribute to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and post-shock stress symptoms in these patients. Phantom shock is a patient-reported perception of an ICD shock in the absence of any actual shock; however, its pathophysiological understanding is poor.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of the University hospital ICD patients?? database from June 2006 to April 2010 was conducted. A total of 38 patients with documented phantom shocks as cases and 76 age- and sex-matched patients with no phantom shocks as controls were selected from the database. Patient characteristics were analyzed for their potential association with the occurrence of phantom shocks.

Results

Phantom shock patients had higher prevalence of documented depression (31.6%), anxiety (23.7%), and cocaine use (42.1%). Additionally, patients who had previous ICD shock storms were more likely to have phantom shocks (39.5%; p?=?0.001). More importantly, no phantom shocks were reported in patients who did not receive defibrillation threshold testing or past ICD shock storms.

Conclusions

Phantom shocks are primarily observed in ICD patients who had prior exposure to traumatic device shocks and are more common in patients with a history of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. A pathophysiological mechanism is proposed as a guide to potential prevention.     

Patient characteristics that predict progression of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of prognostic studies

Objective

To identify, by systematic review, patient characteristics that can be used by health care practitioners to predict the likelihood of knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression.

Methods

A search was conducted of the electronic databases Medline, EMBase, CINAHL, AMED, and Web of Science in November 2010. Two reviewers screened articles using inclusion/exclusion criteria. Study participants were adults with established knee OA. Outcome measures for disease progression were change in pain or function or deterioration in radiographic features. Included studies identified clinically relevant prognostic factors at baseline and reported a statistical association with outcome. Minimum followup was 1 year. Articles were assessed for bias, and strength of evidence was summarized for potential predictors of progression.

Results

Thirty studies were included, of which 26 were of high quality. Age, varus knee alignment, presence of OA in multiple joints, and radiographic features had strong evidence as predictors of knee OA progression. Body mass index was a strong predictor for long‐term progression (>3 years). Moderate participation in physical activity was not associated with progression. Numerous variables had limited or conflicting evidence.

Conclusion

Relatively few predictive variables have strong supporting evidence; numerous variables have limited or conflicting evidence. All variables with strong evidence can be easily evaluated and utilized in clinical practice. Existing knowledge should be developed in future research, particularly in cases where study numbers are low or findings are limited or conflicting. Standardized measurement of potential predictors and outcome measures is recommended.     

La talalgia en la artropatía psoriásica. Análisis de una serie de 291 pacientes

Objective

To determine the prevalence of heel pain in a series of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

A systematic review of treatments for the painful heel.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the efficacy for treatments of pain on the plantar aspect of the heel. METHODS: Systematic review of the published and unpublished literature. Electronic search of Medline, BIDS and the Cochrane database of clinical trials. An assessment of the quality of the reporting was made of studies included in the review. Main outcome measure: patients' pain scores. Study selection: randomized controlled trials, published or unpublished, that evaluated treatments used for plantar heel pain. Foreign language papers were excluded. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials were included in the review. These evaluated some of the most frequently described treatments (steroid injections and orthoses) and some experimental therapies (extracorporeal shock wave therapy and directed electrons). The methodological assessment scores of the published trials were low; small sample sizes and failure to conceal the treatment allocation from study participants prevents more definitive statements about the efficacy of treatments. In 10 of the included trials, patients in both the intervention and control arms reported improved pain scores at the final outcome measure. CONCLUSIONS: Although much has been written about the treatment of plantar heel pain, the few randomized controlled trials involve small populations of patients and do not provide robust scientific evidence of treatment efficacy.     

Systematic review of prospective cohort studies of psychosocial factors in the etiology and prognosis of coronary heart disease

The extent to which the associations between psychosocial factors and coronary heart disease (CHD) are causal has seldom been the subject of systematic enquiry. We are updating our previous systematic review up to 2001. The objective of this study is to assess the relative strength of the epidemiological evidence for causal links between psychosocial factors and CHD incidence among healthy populations, and prognosis among CHD patients. Our methods were to systematically review prospective cohort studies identified through the Science Citation index, which met pre-specified quality criteria. We found that the proportion of etiologic studies reporting a strong or moderate association was: 6/18 for Type A behavior and hostility, 15/22 for depression, 4/8 for anxiety, 10/13 for psychosocial work characteristics and 6/9 for social support. For prognostic studies the proportions were: 2/15 for type A behavior and hostility, 18/34 for depression, 8/18 for anxiety, 2/4 for psychosocial work characteristics and 14/21 for social support. Positive studies were more likely to be cited by other papers than negative studies. We concluded that, based on prospective epidemiological data, there was evidence for an association between depression, social support and psychosocial work characteristics and CHD aetiology and prognosis. Evidence for an effect of anxiety or type A behavior was less consistent. Methods to address bias in the reporting of psychosocial data are required.     

Sleep disturbances in adults with arthritis: prevalence, mediators, and subgroups at greatest risk. Data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey

Objective

To examine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in adults with arthritis in a nationally representative sample, mediators of sleep difficulties, and subgroups of individuals with arthritis at greatest risk.

Methods

Using data on US adults ages ≥18 years participating in the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, we computed the prevalence of 3 measures of sleep disturbance (insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleep duration <6 hours) among persons with arthritis. We used logistic regression analysis to examine if the association of arthritis and sleep disturbances was independent of sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities, and to identify potential mediators. We used classification trees to identify subgroups at higher risk.

Results

The adjusted prevalence of insomnia was higher among adults with arthritis than those without arthritis (23.1% versus 16.4%; P < 0.0001), but was similar to those with other chronic diseases. Adults with arthritis were more likely than those without arthritis to report insomnia (unadjusted odds ratio 2.92, 95% confidence interval 2.68–3.17), but adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities attenuated this association. Joint pain and limitation due to pain mediated the association between arthritis and insomnia. Among adults with arthritis, those with depression and anxiety were at highest risk for sleep disturbance. Results for excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep duration <6 hours were similar.

Conclusion

Sleep disturbance affects up to 10.2 million US adults with arthritis, and is mediated by joint pain and limitation due to pain. Among individuals with arthritis, those with depression and anxiety are at greatest risk.     

Preoperative mood disorders in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: risk factors and postoperative morbidity in the intensive care unit

Introduction and objectives

To estimate the preoperative levels of anxiety and depression in patients awaiting heart surgery and to identify the risk factors associated with the development of these mood disorders. To evaluate the relationship between preoperative anxiety and depression and postoperative morbidity.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study in a sample of 100 patients undergoing heart surgery. We carried out a preoperative structured interview in which the patient completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and sociodemographic (age, sex, marital status, and income) and surgical variables (surgical risk, type of surgery, length of preoperative hospital stay, and surgical history) were also recorded. Pain, analgesic use, and postoperative morbidity were evaluated in the intensive care unit.

Results

Thirty-two percent of the patients developed preoperative anxiety and 19%, depression. Age <65 years (odds ratio = 3.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-7.3) was the only significant risk factor for developing preoperative anxiety. A length of preoperative hospital stay ≥3 days was the main risk factor for preoperative depression (odds ratio = 4.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-13.17). Preoperative anxiety significantly increased the postoperative pain and analgesic consumption. Neither anxiety nor depression significantly modified the rest of the postoperative variables associated with morbidity in the intesive care unit.

Conclusions

Anxiety and depression are mood disorders that are detected in patients awaiting heart surgery, with age <65 years and a prolonged preoperative hospital stay being decisive factors in the development of these conditions. Although preoperative anxiety increased the postoperative pain in these patients, their state of mind did not modify their postoperative course.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Symptoms of depression but not anxiety are associated with central obesity and cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes: the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for depression and anxiety in a well-characterised cohort of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

We used baseline data from participants (n?=?1,066, 48.7% women, aged 67.9?±?4.2 years) from the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Obesity was characterised according to both overall (body mass index, fat mass) and abdominal (waist circumference) measurements. Cardiovascular disease was assessed by questionnaire, physical examination and review of medical records. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed to identify explanatory variables related to either anxiety or depression HADS scores.

Results

Abdominal obesity (waist circumference) and cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease and ankle–brachial pressure index) were related to depression but not anxiety. Lifetime history of severe hypoglycaemia was associated with anxiety. Other cardiovascular risk factors or microvascular complications were not related to either anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Conclusions/interpretation

Depression but not anxiety is associated with abdominal obesity and cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This knowledge may help to identify depressive symptoms among patients with type 2 diabetes who are at greatest risk.     

Prognostic value of psychosocial factors for first and recurrent hospitalizations and mortality in heart failure patients: insights from the OPERA‐HF study

Aims

Psychosocial factors are rarely collected in studies investigating the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF), and only time to first event is commonly reported. We investigated the prognostic value of psychosocial factors for predicting first or recurrent events after discharge following hospitalization for HF.

Methods and results

OPERA‐HF is an observational study enrolling patients hospitalized for HF. In addition to clinical variables, psychosocial variables are recorded. Patients provide the information through questionnaires that include social information, depression and anxiety scores, and cognitive function. Kaplan–Meier, Cox regression and the Andersen–Gill model were used to identify predictors of first and recurrent events (readmissions or death). Of 671 patients (age 76 ± 15 years, 66% men) with 1‐year follow‐up, 291 had no subsequent event, 34 died without being readmitted, 346 had one or more unplanned readmissions, and 71 patients died after a first readmission. Increasing age, higher urea and creatinine, and the presence of co‐morbidities (diabetes, history of myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were all associated with increasing risk of first or recurrent events. Psychosocial variables independently associated with both the first and recurrent events were: presence of frailty, moderate‐to‐severe depression, and moderate‐to‐severe anxiety. Living alone and the presence of cognitive impairment were independently associated only with an increasing risk of recurrent events.

Conclusion

Psychosocial factors are strongly associated with unplanned recurrent readmissions or mortality following an admission to hospital for HF. Further research is needed to show whether recognition of these factors and support tailored to individual patients' needs will improve outcomes.

     

Causes of Emotional Eating and Matched Treatment of Obesity

Purpose of the Review

Eating in response to negative emotions (EE) may be an explanatory factor of the weight regain of many dieters. This narrative review presents evidence on possible causes of EE and the association of EE with depression and obesity and discusses implications of these findings for the treatment of obesity.

Recent Findings

Possible causes of EE are high dietary restraint, poor interoceptive awareness, alexithymia, emotion dysregulation and a reversed hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) stress axis. EE may be the outcome of inadequate parenting or depressive feelings in interaction with genetic susceptibility. There is also robust evidence that EE is a mediator between depression and obesity.

Summary

The association of EE with depression and poor emotion regulation skills suggests that the treatment of obese people with high EE should not focus on calorie-restricted diets but on emotion regulation skills. The DEBQ (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) enables such a matched treatment of obesity.

     

Disease-specific pain and function predict future pain impact in hip and knee osteoarthritis

The objective of this study is to determine if osteoarthritis (OA) pain and function, persistent low back pain (LBP) and psychosocial factors predict future pain impact (PI) in people with hip and knee OA. In a population-based cohort with hip/knee OA, a standardized telephone questionnaire was used to assess baseline sociodemographics, baseline PI, patient-reported OA severity (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) summary score), psychosocial factors (fatigue, pain catastrophizing (PC), anxiety, social network, and depression), and self-reported persistent LBP. Two years post-baseline, PI was assessed using the Pain Impact Questionnaire. The association of key independent variables with PI was evaluated through multivariable linear regression, adjusting for covariates (e.g., age, sex, baseline PI, etc.) In 462 participants, the mean age was 76 years (range 58 to 96), 78 % were female and 35 % reported LBP at baseline. Mean scores for PC (9.4), and anxiety (3.7) were low and social network (20.1) high. In multivariable regression analyses, only the WOMAC summary score (unstandardized ß 0.181 95% CI (0.12, 0.24) p < 0.001) was independently associated with greater PI at follow-up. In a population-based cohort with hip/knee OA, only the baseline WOMAC summary score was an independent predictor of future PI. This suggests that treatment needs to be focused on limiting pain severity and functional limitations in individuals with hip and knee OA. However, scores for the psychosocial factors are indicative of a healthy cohort and therefore results may not be generalizable to those with poorer psychosocial health.     

Positionspapier zur Bedeutung psychosozialer Faktoren in der Kardiologie

Background

The rapid progress of psychosomatic research in cardiology and also the increasing impact of psychosocial issues in the clinical daily routine have prompted the Clinical Commission of the German Heart Society (DGK) to agree to an update of the first state of the art paper on this issue which was originally released in 2008.

Methods

The circle of experts was increased, general aspects were implemented and the state of the art was updated. Particular emphasis was dedicated to coronary heart diseases (CHD), heart rhythm diseases and heart failure because to date the evidence-based clinical knowledge is most advanced in these particular areas. Differences between men and women and over the life span were considered in the recommendations as were influences of cognitive capability and the interactive and synergistic impact of classical somatic risk factors on the affective comorbidity in heart disease patients.

Results

A IA recommendation (recommendation grade I and evidence grade A) was given for the need to consider psychosocial risk factors in the estimation of coronary risks as etiological and prognostic risk factors. Furthermore, for the recommendation to routinely integrate psychosocial patient management into the care of heart surgery patients because in these patients, comorbid affective disorders (e.g. depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) are highly prevalent and often have a malignant prognosis. A IB recommendation was given for the treatment of psychosocial risk factors aiming to prevent the onset of CHD, particularly if the psychosocial risk factor is harmful in itself (e.g. depression) or constrains the treatment of the somatic risk factors. Patients with acute and chronic CHD should be offered anti-depressive medication if these patients suffer from medium to severe states of depression and in this case medication with selective reuptake inhibitors should be given. In the long-term course of treatment with implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) a subjective health technology assessment is warranted. In particular, the likelihood of affective comorbidities and the onset of psychological crises should be carefully considered.

Conclusions

The present state of the art paper presents an update of current empirical evidence in psychocardiology. The paper provides evidence-based recommendations for the integration of psychosocial factors into cardiological practice and highlights areas of high priority. The evidence for estimating the efficiency for psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological interventions has increased substantially since the first release of the policy document but is, however, still weak. There remains an urgent need to establish curricula for physician competence in psychodiagnosis, communication and referral to ensure that current psychocardiac knowledge is translated into the daily routine.     

Significance of Comorbid Psychological Stress and Depression on Outcomes After Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background

Depression is associated with increased mortality in stable coronary heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training has been shown to decrease depression, psychological stress, and mortality after a coronary heart disease event. The presence of depression at completion of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training is associated with increased mortality. However, it is unknown if depression with comorbid psychological risk factors such as anxiety or hostility confers an additional mortality disadvantage. We evaluated the mortality effect of anxiety and hostility on depression after cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training.

Patients and Methods

We studied 1150 patients with coronary heart disease following major coronary heart disease events who had completed formal cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training. Using Kellner questionnaires, stress levels were measured in 1 of 3 domains: anxiety, hostility, and depression (with an aggregated overall psychological stress score) and divided into 3 groups: nondepressed (n = 1072), depression alone (n = 18), and depression with anxiety or hostility (n = 60). Subjects were analyzed for all-cause mortality over 161 months of follow-up (mean 6.4 years) by National Death Index.

Results

Depression after cardiac rehabilitation was not common (6.8%; mortality 20.8%) but when present, frequently associated with either anxiety or hostility (77% of depressed patients; mortality 22.0%). After adjustment for age, sex, ejection fraction, and baseline peak oxygen consumption, depression alone (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73, P = .04), as well as depression with comorbid psychological stress, was associated with higher mortality (HR 1.98, P = .03). Furthermore, our data showed an increased mortality when both anxiety and hostility were present in addition to depression after cardiac rehabilitation (HR 2.41, P = .04).

Conclusions

After cardiac rehabilitation, depression, when present, is usually associated with other forms of psychological stress, which confers additional mortality. More measures are needed to address psychological stress after cardiac rehabilitation.     

DASS21: A Useful Tool in the Psychological Profile Evaluation of Dialysis Patients

Background

The effect of dialysis treatment is complex, with both clinical and socio-psychological effects. In this study, we aimed to assess the psychological status of this growing population of end-stage renal disease.

Stress and psychopathology and its impact on quality of life in chronic anal fissure (CAF) patients

Background

Chronic anal fissure (CAF) onset, exacerbation, and impact on quality of life are influenced by a host of psychological, physiological, and social factors. We aimed to investigate the difference in psychopathology and stress between normal and CAF groups.

Methods

Thirty CAF patients and 20 age-sex matched healthy controls were evaluated for Axis I psychopathology, depression, anxiety, and stress with Hamilton and Hospital Depression-Anxiety Scales, Perceived Stress Scale, and SF-36.

Results

With a mean age of 39.47, 83.3% of CAF patients were female. Anxiety-depression and stress scores were all significantly higher and functionality was lower in the CAF group compared to controls (p < 0.001); 36.7% of the patients had a triggering stress factor and 56.6% had an exacerbating stress factor; 56.7% of the patients had an ongoing Axis I psychopathology while 50% had a previous psychopathology. Pain (96.7% had pain (VAS = 6.55)) and bleeding (83.3% had bleeding (VAS = 4.14)) severity showed a negative impact on bodily pain and role limitations emotional subscales of SF36.

Conclusion

There is a high comorbidity of psychopathology in the CAF patients and depression and anxiety severities show a negative impact on the quality of life. Stress acts as both a triggering and an exacerbating factor in CAF.

     

Coronary Artery Diseasein Association withDepression or Anxiety among Patients Undergoing Angiography to Investigate Chest Pain

In search of associations between coronary artery disease and symptoms of depression and anxiety, we conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of 314 patients (age range, 19–79 yr) who had presented with chest pain. Coronary angiographic findings were classified into 5 categories (0–4), in which higher numbers indicated more severe disease. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated by the Beck depression and anxiety inventories, in which higher scores indicated more severe symptoms.Older age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and high income were found in association with coronary artery disease. Woman patients exhibited significantly higher depression and anxiety scores (P < 0.001), even though they had coronary artery disease infrequently (P = 0.003). At first, no significant correlation was found between coronary artery disease levels 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 and scores of depression or anxiety.After controlling for sex differences and other confounding variables, however, we found that every 1-point increase in the depression score was associated with an average 5% to 6% increase in abnormal coronary angiographic findings or definitive coronary artery disease, respectively (P = 0.01 and P = 0.002). Although there was no such association between anxiety score and coronary artery disease, the highest anxiety scores were encountered in patients with slow coronary flow.Key words: Angina pectoris, anxiety disorders, chest pain, confounding factors, coronary angiography, coronary disease/epidemiology/etiology, depression/complications, depressive disorder, interview, psychological, psychiatric status rating scales, sex factors, social environment, somatoform disorders, stress, psychological, Turkey/epidemiologyEpidemiologic studies have shown that depression or anxiety disorder can predict the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in healthy populations.¹ Moreover, depression or anxiety disorder can also influence the course and prognosis of known CAD.^2–4 Although one study reported similar psychological variables in groups of patients with chest pain who had angiographically normal or abnormal coronary arteries,⁵ several other studies^6–9 reported that patients who had chest pain and normal coronary arteries exhibited more psychiatric illnesses than did patients with definitive CAD.Because we expected that symptoms of depression and anxiety would be associated with CAD in a consecutive population that had been referred for selective coronary angiography, we compared coronary angiographic findings with depression and anxiety scores that had been estimated in accordance with symptom scales. Our findings are discussed herein.     

Experimental pain and psychologic status of patients with chest pain with normal coronary arteries or ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: The cause of chest pain in patients with a normal coronary angiogram (NCA) remains an enigma. Also, it is unclear whether psychosocial factors play a role in the etiology of chest pain in these patients. The objective of the current study was to compare psychosocial factors, clinical pain, and responses to experimental pain in NCA patients, patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD), and healthy control subjects. METHODS: Pain intensity, threshold, and tolerance to cold pressor pain were assessed in 30 NCA patients, 30 IHD patients, and 30 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and sociodemographic factors. All subjects completed questionnaires measuring a number of psychosocial factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, extroversion, and neuroticism. NCA and IHD patients also completed questionnaires assessing clinical pain responses and pain-coping strategies. RESULTS: With the exception of a lower tolerance to cold pressor pain of IHD patients (P <.05), no significant differences were found between NCA and IHD patients with respect to other clinical pain measures, psychosocial measures, pain-coping strategies, and other pain-related behaviors. Healthy control subjects differed significantly (P <.05) from both IHD and NCA patients with respect to maximum cold pressor pain, depression, and state anxiety and from IHD patients with respect to intensity of cold pressor pain, threshold to cold pressor pain, and perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that higher scores on various psychosocial measures in both chest pain groups are related to their pain, rather than being the cause of pain, and do not support a psychogenic explanation for chest pain in the presence of normal coronary arteries.     

Occurrence of Raynaud's phenomenon in children ages 12–15 years: Prevalence and association with other common symptoms

Objective

Although Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in adults is frequently reported as having been present since childhood, there have been no studies on the prevalence of RP in children. This study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of RP in children ages 12–15 years and to determine whether, as with other commonly reported symptoms, there were any associations with adverse psychosocial factors.

Methods

A previously validated self‐administered RP questionnaire was distributed to 903 children ages 12–15 years, from 28 schools. The questionnaire also included questions on other common childhood symptoms and on adverse psychosocial factors.

Results

Seven hundred twenty children responded (80%), in whom the prevalence of RP was 15%. This was higher in girls (18% versus 12%) and increased with age. After adjustment for age and sex, there was an association with reporting of current pain, both in the arm/shoulder region and elsewhere in the body. There were no associations with psychosocial variables.

Conclusion

RP is frequent in children ages 12–15 years. Unlike other common childhood symptoms, RP showed no association with psychosocial factors in this study.