Improvement in the Spatial Distribution of Pain, Somatic Symptoms, and Depression After a Weight Loss Intervention.
Weight loss is known to improve pain localized to weight-bearing joints but it is not known how weight loss affects the spatial distribution of pain and associated somatic symptoms like fatigue. We sought to determine if weight loss using a low-calorie diet improves pain, affect, and somatic symptoms commonly associated with chronic pain conditions in an observational study. We also documented changes in inflammatory markers in serum before and after weight loss. Participants were 123 obese individuals undergoing a 12- to 16-week calorie restriction weight loss intervention. The spatial distribution of pain, symptom severity (eg, fatigue, sleep difficulties), depression, and total fibromyalgia scale scores were measured before and after weight loss. Pain (P = . 022), symptom severity (P = .004), depression (P < .001), and fibromyalgia scores (P = .004) improved after weight loss; men showed greater improvement than women on somatic symptoms and fibromyalgia scores (both P < .01). Those who lost at least 10% of body weight showed greater improvement than those who lost <10%. Levels of the regulatory cytokine interleukin-10 increased after the intervention (P = .002). Weight loss may improve diffuse pain and comorbid symptoms commonly seen in chronic pain participants.


PERSPECTIVE
This article presents the effect of a weight loss intervention on characteristics of chronic pain, including the spatial distribution of pain and comorbid somatic symptoms. Weight loss appeared to produce larger improvements in somatic symptoms for men.
['Schrepf|Andrew|A|', 'Harte|Steven E|SE|', 'Miller|Nicole|N|', 'Fowler|Christine|C|', 'Nay|Catherine|C|', 'Williams|David A|DA|', 'Clauw|Daniel J|DJ|', 'Rothberg|Amy|A|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D031204:Caloric Restriction D015897:Comorbidity D003376:Counseling D003863:Depression D005081:Exercise Therapy D005221:Fatigue D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007249:Inflammation D016753:Interleukin-10 D007889:Leiomyoma D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009765:Obesity D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care D010146:Pain D015431:Weight Loss D055815:Young Adult
weight loss Obesity inflammation widespread pain