18.03.09 - Better insight in disease mechanisms and risk factors
An overview of the current understandings of the mechanisms underlying complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). That is the outcome of a study by De Mos and others at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.
Furthermore they looked into the known risk factors of CRPS. Knowledge of these risk factors might facilitate early diagnosis and a tailored treatment.
For a long time CRPS was considered to emerge from pathology of the central nervous system. Sympathetic dysfunction was thought to be the major pathogenic mechanism.
Currently the interest is shifting towards the peripheral disease mechanisms, like inflammation and hypoxia.
The following 5 possible disease mechanisms of CRPS are discussed in the article:
1. autonomic (sympathetic) nervouw system dysfunction
2. somatic nervous system dysfunction
3. inflammation
4. hypoxia
5. psychological factors
The researchers looked into the following risk factors:
a. demographics
b. injury related factors
c. genetic factors
d. antecedent infections
e. related disorders
Based on the literature study the authors conclude that there are probably multiple disease mechanisms that play a role in CRPS. The question remains wether there is a common factor in all these mechanisms.
This research wsa recently published
Current Understandings of Complex Regional Painsyndrome
M. de Mos, M.C.J.M. Sturkenboom en F.J.P.M. Huygen. Pain Practice 2009, 9: 86-99
> [full text article]