Family History Of Alcohol Use Disorder As A Predictor Of Endogenous Pain Modulatory Function
Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Family history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is frequently endorsed by chronic pain patients. Although individuals with a family history of AUD have demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to painful stimulation, we are not aware of any previous research that has examined clinically-relevant endogenous pain modulation (i.e., capacity to inhibit or facilitate pain) in this population. The goal of this study was to test family history of AUD as a predictor of conditioned pain modulation, offset analgesia, and temporal summation among a sample of moderate-to-heavy drinkers. Participants (N = 235; 58.3% male; Mage = 34.3, SD = 12.3) were evaluated for family history of AUD at baseline (family history positive: n = 54; 59.3% white) and pain modulatory outcomes were assessed via quantitative sensory testing. Results indicated that participants with a family history of AUD (relative to those without) evinced a pro-nociceptive pain modulation profile in response to experimental pain. Specifically, family history of AUD was associated with deficits in pain-inhibitory processes, which may help to explain the observed high rates of familial AUD in chronic pain patients. Exploratory analyses further suggested these effects may be driven by paternal AUD. The current findings suggest a family history of AUD may confer risk for AUD and chronic pain. Clinically, these data may inform treatment decisions for acute pain among individuals with a family history of AUD.
Author: Kyle White
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3190974008