The relationship of plasma β-endorphins and pain dimensions in Chinese Cancer Pain Assessment Tool (CCPAT)

Abstract

Introduction Cancer pain is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon that contributes to the global problem of optimal pain assessment and management. A bio-psycho-social-cultural link in the context of pain may shed light on pain assessment, and ultimate alleviation, of pain and suffering. Method This cross-sectional correlational study investigated the relationship between plasma b-endorphin level (b-end) and CCPAT pain dimensions, b-end was measured in 68 male and 8 female primary liver cancer patients consecutively. The Chinese Cancer Pain Assessment Tool (CCPAT) was employed to obtain weighted scores of functional dimension (FD), psychosocial dimension (PD), pharmacological dimension (PHD), emotional dimension (ED), pain beliefs and meanings dimension (PBMD), pain intensity dimension (PID), and Sum. Results Thirty-two (42.1%) patients experienced varying degrees of pain. The mean b-end was 270.4+-EM 11.4 pg/ml. (a-corrected correlational matrix showed that the relationships between b-end and the CCPAT pain dimensions were non-significant. The b-end was higher in the pain group (291.6+-SEM 18.0 pg/ml) than the no pain group (255.0+-SEM 14.5 pg/ml). Discussion No relationships were found between the studied variables in this cancer population. These findings are inconsistent with the previous study of advanced cancer population. Cancer population that suffers from pain exhibit higher b-end levels suggests that pain pathways stimulate endogenous opiotergic systems, including circulating b-end. Conclusion b-end variations in patients who have and have not experienced pain suggest a functional role in cancer pain modulation. Future research is warranted to explore the bio-psycho-social-cultural link in cancer populations which may enhance pain assessment.