The role of mood in complex regional pain syndrome: Cause or consequence?

Abstract

Aim: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) involves pain and dysfunction in multiple nervous system pathways. Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and difficulty coping often accompany the physical aspects of the condition. This study sought to examine whether mood-related factors play a causal role in the onset of CRPS or if individuals with pre-existing psychological conditions exhibit increased susceptibility to its development.

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included 131 patients with a history of trauma or surgery who were referred for rehabilitation within the first three months following the incident. Among them, 70 patients were diagnosed with CRPS, while 61 patients formed the control group. Each participant underwent evaluation through the Short Form-36, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory.

Results: The study included 62 men and 69 women, with no significant differences in anxiety and depression scores observed between the CRPS group and the control group (p>0.05 for both). However, individuals with CRPS reported notably higher scores on the VAS (p<0.05). In addition, their scores were significantly lower in the Short Form-36 subdomains related to pain intensity (p<0.05), social functioning (p < 0.05), and physical role limitations (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicate that an individual's baseline mood does not seem to contribute to the development of CRPS. These mood changes may be only the result of the disease, as pain level, social function, and physical role were determined to be worse in these patients.