Nociplastic pain is defined as pain resulting from altered nociception without any associated tissue damage, distinct from nociceptive and neuropathic pain. This type of pain is often chronic and multifaceted. Individuals with nociplastic pain frequently exhibit heightened sensitivity to non-painful stimuli, including light, sound, and odors. The review discusses various risk factors, clinical presentations, and treatment approaches. It emphasizes how changes in brain function, immune responses, and peripheral factors contribute to the nociplastic pain phenotype.
The article also highlights that nociplastic pain may coexist along a continuum with nociceptive and neuropathic pain, complicating its management. Although the precise causes are still unclear, several factors—such as female sex, early-life stress, trauma, poor sleep, and physical inactivity—are linked to an increased risk of developing nociplastic pain. Notably, alterations in central nervous system function, particularly in brain regions related to pain perception and sensory processing, have been observed in patients with nociplastic features. These findings underscore the complexity of this condition.
Reference: Kaplan CM, Kelleher E, Irani A, ert al. Deciphering nociplastic pain: clinical features, risk factors and potential mechanisms. Nat Rev Neurol. 2024 Jun;20(6):347-363. doi: 10.1038/s41582-024-00966-8. Epub 2024 May 16. PMID: 38755449.
