Characteristics of central sensitization and its relationship with demographics and pain indicators among veterans with chronic pain: A cross-sectional study.

Tuell A, Dirette DP, Krein SL. Characteristics of central sensitization and its relationship with demographics and pain indicators among veterans with chronic pain: A cross-sectional study. Medicine. 2025 Aug 22; 104(34):e44054, DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000044054.

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• RCS 11-222 – Research Career Scientist Award

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Abstract:

Central sensitization (CS) is a neural mechanism associated with the development and perpetuation of chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the severity and prevalence of central sensitization and examine its relationships with demographics and pain indicators among veterans with chronic pain. This study used a cross-sectional design. Data for the Central Sensitization Inventory Part A (CSI-A), Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form were manually extracted from paper forms and hospital electronic health records. Descriptive statistics, Kendall Tau correlation coefficient, and independent samples t test were used for data analysis. The sample consisted of 184 veterans, predominantly men (87%) with a mean age of 60 years. The mean CSI-A score was 45.06 ± 17.06 and 62.5% of veterans (n = 115) were identified as having CS (CSI-A = 40), with 23.9% (n = 44) identified as having severe CS (CSI-A = 50-59). A significant but weak negative correlation was obtained between CSI-A score and age (tb = -0.121, P = .016) and a significant positive weak to moderate correlation was obtained between CSI-A score and severity of pain (tb = 0.209, P < .001), pain interference (tb = 0.333, P < .001), and pain catastrophizing (tb = 0.385, P < .001). Women veterans had a significantly higher mean CSI-A score compared to men (55.38 ± 13.23 vs 43.51 ± 17.06, tdf = 182 = 3.260, P = .001). These findings highlight the high prevalence of CS among veterans with chronic pain, particularly in women, emphasizing the need to assess CS to improve chronic pain management in this population.