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Chronic overlapping pain conditions are prevalent
• Cluster of prevalent pain conditions that frequently co‐occur
• Predominantly (or exclusively) female
• Can have any combination at any time, which
can change over time
• Increase risk of developing new COPC as number of pain conditions a person has increases
• *share similar disease mechanisms across the neurological, endocrine & immune systems
Chronic Pain Research Alliance: “Impact of chronic overlapping pain conditions on public health and the urgent need for safe and effective treatment. 2015 Analysis and Policy Recommendations”. www.chronicpainresearch.org
Cross‐organ sensitization: convergence of sensory fibers at level of spinal cord
• Facilitated by dichotomizing fibers (sensory neuron that innervates 2 structures)
• Inflammation in one visceral structure may result in neurogenic inflammation in adjacent structure
UTERUS
Colon Bladder
dichotomizing fibers
Brumovsky PR, Gebhart GF. Visceral organ cross‐sensitization ‐ an integrated perspective. Auton Neurosci. 2010 Feb 16;153(1‐2):106‐15.
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