Citation

Yoon JH, Kim AJ, Wilson JM, Yamin JB, Schreiber KL, Edwards RR, Cornelius MC, Campbell CM, Smith MT, Haythornthwaite JA, Sieberg CB, Meints SM. Scand. J. Pain 2024; 24(1).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1515/sjpain-2023-0122

PMID

38842279

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We examined associations of a self-reported history of childhood abuse with pain and physical functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We also explored the potential moderating effects of positive childhood experiences (PCEs), an index of resilience, on these associations.

METHODS: Prior to TKA, participants with KOA awaiting surgery (N = 239) completed self-report measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), PCEs, pain, and physical functioning. We evaluated associations of pain and physical functioning (Brief Pain Inventory [BPI] and Western Ontario and McMaster University of Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) based on the experience of ACEs (childhood abuse), with PCEs (childhood happiness and supportive parental care) as potential moderators.

RESULTS: Greater exposure to childhood abuse was positively correlated with BPI pain interference as well as WOMAC pain and functioning scores. Additionally, childhood happiness and supportive parental care moderated the positive associations of childhood abuse with pain and physical functioning; though, surprisingly, the adverse effects of childhood abuse on these outcomes were more pronounced among participants with high levels of childhood happiness and supportive parental care.

CONCLUSION: Overall, results show an association between a self-reported history of childhood abuse and pain and functioning in patients with KOA awaiting TKA. However, PCEs did not protect against the negative consequences of childhood abuse in our cohort. Further research is needed to validate these associations and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between childhood abuse and PCEs and their potential influences on pain experiences in adults with chronic pain conditions, including KOA.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Self Report; Child Abuse/psychology; pain; Pain Measurement; childhood abuse; positive childhood experiences; physical functioning; *Osteoarthritis, Knee/psychology/physiopathology; *Resilience, Psychological; Adverse Childhood Experiences/psychology; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/psychology; knee osteoarthritis; Pain/psychology