GENDER, COPING AND THE ARTHRITIS PAIN EXPERIENCE

描述(改编自调查人员摘要)：这是一个长远的目标 研究是为了加强我们对性别如何与疼痛相关的理解 个人患关节炎的经历。在香港进行的研究 首席调查员的实验室和其他地方已经表明，女性 患有骨关节炎(OA)的患者报告更剧烈的疼痛和更严重的残疾。 到目前为止，这种性别差异的基础尚不清楚。初步 首席调查员的研究表明，应对方式的差异可能 解释了在骨性关节炎疼痛和残疾方面的性别差异。三项新研究 都被提出了。研究1使用新开发的日常研究方法来检查疼痛， 疼痛应对，和情绪，当它们在男性和 患有膝骨性关节炎的女性。在这项研究中，110名膝关节骨性关节炎患者(55名男性，55名 女性)将连续30天保持每日日记记录。每个病人都会 每天提供两个关于他们疼痛的日记，疼痛应对策略，以及 心情。这种以过程为导向的研究设计将允许审查：(A) 骨性关节炎疼痛程度和模式的性别差异及应对方式 以及(B)男女在应对疼痛的关系上有何不同， 无论是在几天之内还是在不同的日子里。研究2和研究3将考察 情绪应对的性别差异与大学生情绪应对的关系 脊椎上调制一种称为 痛觉屈曲反射(NFR)。研究2将评估NFR阈值和 66例男性和66例女性骨性关节炎患者的主观痛阈值和耐受水平 膝盖疼。研究3将评估潜在的性别差异在激活 脊椎上下行疼痛调制系统。这项研究将考察 在休息和分心任务中的伤害性屈曲反射，旨在 操纵注意力集中。

DESCRIPTION (adapted from investigator's abstract): The long-range goal of this research is to enhance our understanding of how gender is related to the pain experience of individuals having arthritis. Research studies conducted in the laboratory of the principal investigator and elsewhere have shown that women with osteoarthritis (OA) report more intense pain and more severe disability. To date, the basis of this gender difference has been unknown. Preliminary research by the principal investigator suggests that differences in coping may account for gender differences in pain and disability in OA. Three new studies are proposed. Study 1 uses newly developed daily study methods to examine pain, pain coping, and mood as they unfold both within and across days in men and women having knee OA. In this study, 110 patients having knee OA (55 men, 55 women) will keep daily diary records for 30 consecutive days. Each patient will provide two daily diary entries on their pain, pain coping strategies, and mood. This process-oriented research design will permit the examination of: (a) gender differences in the extent and patterning of OA pain and efforts to cope with pain; and (b) how women and men differ in the relations of coping to pain, and mood both within and across days. Studies 2 and 3 will examine the relationship between gender differences in emotion-focused coping and supraspinal modulation of a nocifensive spinal withdrawal reflex known as the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR). Study 2 will assess the NFR threshold and subjective pain threshold and tolerance levels of 66 men and 66 women having OA knee pain. Study 3 will assess potential gender differences in activation of supraspinal descending pain modulation systems. This study will examine the nociceptive flexion reflex at rest and during a distraction task designed to manipulate attentional focus.