Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.

The pathophysiology behind Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is not fully understood and associated factors and triggers for developing the condition are debated. We aimed to study such factors and long-term outcome in a descriptive cross-sectional study with a well-defined population with CRPS...

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Main Authors: Astrid Parinder, Ellen Lyckegård Finn, Lars B Dahlin, Erika Nyman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320263
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author Astrid Parinder
Ellen Lyckegård Finn
Lars B Dahlin
Erika Nyman
author_facet Astrid Parinder
Ellen Lyckegård Finn
Lars B Dahlin
Erika Nyman
author_sort Astrid Parinder
collection DOAJ
description The pathophysiology behind Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is not fully understood and associated factors and triggers for developing the condition are debated. We aimed to study such factors and long-term outcome in a descriptive cross-sectional study with a well-defined population with CRPS in the upper limb and related to sex and CRPS type. In retrospectively collected data from medical records, 149 subjects [women n = 104 (70%); type 1 CRPS, n = 108 (72%); type 2 CRPS, n = 41 (28%); follow-up time 21 [8-43] months] were identified and analysed (Chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and multiple linear regression). A majority were manual workers, and a larger proportion of subjects were smokers and had less post-secondary education than a reference population (p < 0.001 and p < 0.008). Men were younger, more frequently smoked, had higher BMI, and had lower education levels than women (p = 0.044, p = 0.007, p < 0.001, and p = 0.016, respectively). Subjects with CRPS type 2 were younger and had a longer time from symptoms until diagnosis, longer follow-up time, and more follow-up visits, indicating worse outcome (p = 0.016, p = 0.0012, p = 0.003, and p = 0.004, respectively). Among CRPS, 32% had a prior pain disorder and 7% had previously visited a pain management clinic. While there was no significant difference in mental illness occurrence before CRPS diagnosis compared to a reference population, mental illness increased by 76% after diagnosis. Factors such as CRPS type 2, older age, and delayed diagnosis were associated with longer follow-up periods. Additionally, 45% were on sick leave for over 12 months, and 20% were permanently unable to work. Socioeconomic deprivation is an associated factor in developing CRPS, in which a variety of triggers exist. Subjects with CRPS, particularly type 2, are at high risk of severe remaining symptoms, including mental illness and risk of never returning to work.
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spelling doaj-art-64fb6d8d294048e7891d454e7892d5e62025-08-20T01:55:22ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01203e032026310.1371/journal.pone.0320263Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.Astrid ParinderEllen Lyckegård FinnLars B DahlinErika NymanThe pathophysiology behind Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is not fully understood and associated factors and triggers for developing the condition are debated. We aimed to study such factors and long-term outcome in a descriptive cross-sectional study with a well-defined population with CRPS in the upper limb and related to sex and CRPS type. In retrospectively collected data from medical records, 149 subjects [women n = 104 (70%); type 1 CRPS, n = 108 (72%); type 2 CRPS, n = 41 (28%); follow-up time 21 [8-43] months] were identified and analysed (Chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and multiple linear regression). A majority were manual workers, and a larger proportion of subjects were smokers and had less post-secondary education than a reference population (p < 0.001 and p < 0.008). Men were younger, more frequently smoked, had higher BMI, and had lower education levels than women (p = 0.044, p = 0.007, p < 0.001, and p = 0.016, respectively). Subjects with CRPS type 2 were younger and had a longer time from symptoms until diagnosis, longer follow-up time, and more follow-up visits, indicating worse outcome (p = 0.016, p = 0.0012, p = 0.003, and p = 0.004, respectively). Among CRPS, 32% had a prior pain disorder and 7% had previously visited a pain management clinic. While there was no significant difference in mental illness occurrence before CRPS diagnosis compared to a reference population, mental illness increased by 76% after diagnosis. Factors such as CRPS type 2, older age, and delayed diagnosis were associated with longer follow-up periods. Additionally, 45% were on sick leave for over 12 months, and 20% were permanently unable to work. Socioeconomic deprivation is an associated factor in developing CRPS, in which a variety of triggers exist. Subjects with CRPS, particularly type 2, are at high risk of severe remaining symptoms, including mental illness and risk of never returning to work.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320263
spellingShingle Astrid Parinder
Ellen Lyckegård Finn
Lars B Dahlin
Erika Nyman
Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.
PLoS ONE
title Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.
title_full Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.
title_fullStr Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.
title_full_unstemmed Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.
title_short Associated factors, triggers and long-term outcome in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limb - A descriptive cross-sectional study.
title_sort associated factors triggers and long term outcome in complex regional pain syndrome crps in the upper limb a descriptive cross sectional study
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320263
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