Recurrent abdominal pain visits to the emergency department: A case report using the Central Sensitization Inventory

Authors

Samer Metri, Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States. Electronic address: smetri@gwu.edu.
Robert Shesser, Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States. Electronic address: Rshesser@mfa.gwu.edu.
Ali Pourmand, Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States. Electronic address: Pourmand@gwu.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-15-2022

Journal

The American journal of emergency medicine

DOI

10.1016/j.ajem.2022.09.018

Keywords

Abdominal pain; Chronic pain; Emergency department; The Central Sensitization Inventory

Abstract

Chronic pain conditions are among the most common complaints seen in the emergency department (ED). Exacerbations of these conditions are often approached as one would an acute painful condition, with liberal use of imaging, labs, and analgesics. This patient population is often prescribed short courses of opioids without a definite explanation for their painful episodes and often leave the ED dissatisfied with their experience. We describe a patient with a history of chronic abdominal pain who presented to the ED with an exacerbation of his pain. Upon further review of his previous records, we noted that this patient experienced many similar events, resulting in 46 imaging studies over the past year. At this point, the patient was given the Central Sensitization Inventory, and his score demonstrated severe underlying central sensitization. The patient was counseled about his condition and provided with appropriate follow-up care.

APA Citation

Metri, Samer; Shesser, Robert; and Pourmand, Ali, "Recurrent abdominal pain visits to the emergency department: A case report using the Central Sensitization Inventory" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1619.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1619

Department

Emergency Medicine