Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions: Evaluation and Management

Chronic pain is the most prevalent, costly, and disabling health condition in the United States, however, clinicians consistently report low confidence in their ability to evaluation and manage it. Many chronic pain patients report pain in multiple areas of their body simultaneously, termed chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs), as well as nonpain comorbidities, such as sleep and mood disorders. Educational programs are needed to guide clinicians in conducting a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment for COPCs, with includes assessment of common nonpain comorbidities and domains (eg, sleep, mood, fatigue, cognitive impairment, physical and social function), as well as to formulate and employ individualized multimodal treatment regimens that address all pain and nonpain conditions/factors that contribute to an individual’s pain condition.