Identifying predictors of treatment responsiveness in somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain in oral region

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17108
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: TOKURA TATSUYA 名古屋大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (20378136)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 身体症状症 / 疼痛が主症状のもの / 慢性疼痛 / 治療反応性 / 生物学的因子 / 心理社会的因子 / 口腔内灼熱症候群 / 持続性特発性顔面痛

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Biological factors such as neuroinflammation-associated molecules in blood and psychosocial factors such as depression and quality of life (QOL) were measured at multiple time points from the start of treatment and changes during the treatment course and treatment response were investigated in patients with somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain in orofacial region. The results suggested the possibility of complex involvement of some cascades of neuroinflammation, down-regulation and up-regulation of serotonin transporter protein, and anthranilic acid as a potential biomarker for chronic pain. The study also showed that treatment can improve psychosocial factors such as depression, QOL, and psychosocial functioning.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

身体症状症（疼痛が主症状のもの）は疼痛が長期に持続する疾患であり、患者の心理的苦痛は強く、社会的・経済的損失も甚大である。口腔顔面領域においても本疾患の患者は多く存在するが、既存の研究は少なく、特に治療経過における変化や治療反応性予測に関する証左は不十分であった。そのため、本研究によって得られた様々な新知見は、本疾患の病態生理解明や新たな治療戦略開発の一助となり、学術的・社会的意義を有するものである。