Elsevier

The Journal of Pain

Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 79-86
The Journal of Pain

Original Report
Sex Differences in Pain and Psychological Functioning in Persons With Limb Loss

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2009.06.004Get rights and content
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Abstract

Sex differences in pain are frequently reported in the literature. However, less is known about possible sex differences in the experience of pain secondary to a disability. The current study explored these issues in persons with limb loss (n = 335, 72% men) who were recruited as part of a postal survey. Participants provided ratings of phantom limb pain (PLP), residual limb pain (RLP), and general pain intensity. Participants also completed measures of pain-related interference, catastrophizing, coping, and beliefs. Results indicated that a greater proportion of males than females (86% vs 77%, respectively) reported the presence of PLP; however, this difference was no longer prominent when cause of limb loss was controlled. No sex differences were found in the presence of RLP, or in average intensity ratings of PLP or RLP. In contrast, females reported greater overall average pain intensity and interference than males. Females also endorsed significantly greater catastrophizing, use of certain pain-coping strategies, and beliefs related to several aspects of pain. This study did not find prominent sex differences in pain specific to limb loss. However, several sex differences in the overall biopsychosocial experience of pain did emerge that are consistent with the broader literature.

Perspective

The current study contributes to the literature on sex differences in the experience of pain. Although males and females with limb loss did not significantly differ in their disability-specific pain, sex differences in their broader experience of pain were significant and are worthy of future clinical and empirical attention.

Key words

Sex differences
pain
mental health
limb loss
amputation

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Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and National Center for Rehabilitation Research (grant nos. P01 HD33988, R01 HD057916, and T32 HD007424).