B4158 - An investigation of the developmental symptom course of chronic pain and mental health Using genetically informative and causal - 03/10/2022

B number: 
B4158
Principal applicant name: 
Ellen Thompson | KCL (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Title of project: 
An investigation of the developmental symptom course of chronic pain and mental health: Using genetically informative and causal
Proposal summary: 

Chronic pain impacts multiple aspects of the lives of people who experience it with up to 10% of young people experiencing chronic pain into early adulthood, including symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, recurrent abdominal pain, and headaches. Importantly, it is estimated that up to 72% of those who experience chronic pain also experience significant levels of depression and anxiety (also referred to as common mental health problems hereafter). Despite these shocking estimates, few studies have sought to understand the causes, mechanisms, and longitudinal relationship between symptoms of chronic pain and common mental health problems.

The overarching aim of this project is to investigate the direction of the relationship between chronic pain and common mental health across a developmental period, from childhood to young adulthood, and explore potential mechanisms which may elucidate individual differences in the development of symptoms. To do this I will apply advanced statistical methods to large, genetically informative, longitudinal population-based studies to test the relationship between chronic pain symptoms including headaches, backache, and abdominal pain and common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Findings will provide a deeper understanding into the causal relationship between symptoms of chronic pain and common mental health across a key developmental period.

Impact of research: 
During the course of my project, I will produce and disseminate academic papers. I will aim to publish, in an open-access form, in high impact journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, The British Journal of Psychiatry, Lancet Psychiatry and Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, which will reach a broad audience. Furthermore, I will address academic and clinical audiences in national and international conferences and departmental seminars across the UK and internationally. Additionally, I will engage public audiences in dialogue about my research and foster public understanding of chronic pain in the development of mental health symptoms and their environmental and genetic underpinnings
Date proposal received: 
Monday, 3 October, 2022
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 3 October, 2022
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Pain, Statistical methods, Methods - e.g. cross cohort analysis, data mining, mendelian randomisation, etc.