The operational definition of chronic pain used in this study may have research implications for examining predictors of incident and chronic pain. These data have important clinical implications in that addressing comorbid conditions of persistent pain may improve adaptive coping and functioning in these patients.

Attempts by CLBP patients to suppress anger may aggravate pain related to their clinical condition through ironically increased feelings of anger.

Findings from the current study indicate a pattern of results similar to prior studies in which greater levels of catastrophic thinking is associated with higher perceived pain intensity whereas greater levels of acceptance relate to better functioning in activities despite chronic pain. However, in the current study, both acceptance and catastrophizing were associated with negative affect. These relationships were significant beyond the effects of clinical and demographic variables. These results support the role of pain acceptance as an important contribution to chronic pain-related outcomes alongside the well-established role of pain catastrophizing. Results are limited by reliance on self-report data, cross-sectional design, and low racial/ethnic diversity.

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Context Chronic opioid use may lead to adrenal insufficiency because of central suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, the prevalence of opioid-induced adrenal insufficiency (OIAI) is unclear. Objective To determine the prevalence of OIAI and to identify predictors for the development of OIAI in patients taking opioids for chronic pain. Design Cross-sectional study, 2016-2018. Setting Referral center. Patients Adult patients taking chronic opioids admitted to the Pain Rehabilitation Center. Main outcome measure Diagnosis of OIAI was considered if positive case detection (cortisol < 10 mcg/dL, ACTH < 15 pg/mL, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate < 25 mcg/dL), and confirmed after endocrine evaluation. Daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) was calculated. Results In 102 patients (median age, 53 years [range, 22-83], 67% women), median daily MME was 60 mg (3-840), and median opioid therapy duration was 60 months (3-360). Abnormal case detection testing was found in 11 (10.8%) patients, and diagnosis of OIAI was made in 9 (9%). Patients with OIAI were on a higher daily MME (median, 140 [20-392] mg vs 57 [3-840] mg, P = 0.1), and demonstrated a 4 times higher cumulative opioid exposure (median of 13,440 vs 3120 mg*months, P = 0.03). No patient taking <MME of 20 mg/day developed OIAI (sensitivity of 100% for MME > 20 mg); however, specificity of MME cutoff >20 mg was only 19%. After opioid discontinuation, 6/7 patients recovered adrenal function. Conclusion The prevalence of OIAI was 9%, with MME cumulative exposure being the only predictor for OIAI development. Patients on MME of 20 mg/day and above should be monitored for OIAI.