Chronic pain secondary to disability: a review.
BACKGROUND
Until recently, very little has been written regarding chronic pain as a secondary problem in persons who already have a physical disability, despite the potential for pain to increase the negative impact of what may already be a very disabling condition. The purpose of this review is to summarize what is currently known concerning the nature and scope of chronic pain as a secondary condition to disability, specifically spinal cord injury, acquired amputations, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disease, and postpolio syndrome.


METHODS
What is known concerning the frequency, severity, impact, and treatment of pain in these specific conditions is reviewed, as are the factors that contribute to, or are associated with, adjustment to chronic pain in these disability groups. The authors conclude with several research questions that emerge from this knowledge, the answers to which will contribute to the long-term goal of the reduction of pain and suffering in persons with disabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
The existing literature clearly documents that many persons with disabilities experience chronic pain. Many questions remain unanswered regarding the scope, severity, and treatment of chronic pain in these groups.
Ehde
Dawn M
DM
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98104, USA. ehde@u.washington.edu
Jensen
Mark P
MP
Engel
Joyce M
JM
Turner
Judith A
JA
Hoffman
Amy J
AJ
Cardenas
Diana D
DD
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*