Factors Associated With Levels of Pain Intensity in Patients With Intermittent Paresthesia.

Abstract

Distorted thinking (worst-case thoughts, fear of painful movement) and feelings of distress (worry/despair) are important and modifiable aspects of human illness. It is possible that a more intense experience of intermittent paresthesia of the fingers, interpreted as "pain," might be associated with higher levels of misinterpretation and distress regarding sensations. In patients seeking specialist care for intermittent paresthesia of the fingers, we asked what factors are associated with general and nighttime "pain" intensity, as well as levels of incapability. In a cross-sectional study, 142 adult patients with symptoms of intermittent paresthesia of the fingers completed a survey, including measures of unhelpful thoughts and feelings of distress regarding symptoms, symptoms of depression, an 11-point ordinal rating of pain intensity, and a measure of upper extremity-specific capability. Bivariate, linear regression, and cluster analyses sought factors associated with greater pain intensity and level of incapability. Greater general and night pain intensity, and greater levels of incapability, were all associated with higher levels of distress regarding symptoms. Among patients with intermittent paresthesia of the fingers, relatively notable levels of pain intensity and incapability are associated with modifiable mindset factors. When clinicians notice a patient experiencing or describing paresthesia as pain, it can signal them to guide patients to a healthy understanding of compressive neuropathy.