Kronična bol i posttraumatski stresni poremećaj (PTSP) visoko su komorbidna stanja, često povezana sa značajnom razinom afektivnog distresa i tjelesnog invaliditeta. Pacijenti s kroničnom boli imaju veće stope PTSP-a. Isto tako, pacijentima s PTSP-om često se dijagnosticiraju brojna stanja kronične boli. Unatoč visokom komorbiditetu, još uvijek je nepoznato zašto bol i PTSP koegzistiraju. Tijekom posljednjih nekoliko desetljeća literatura vezana uz kroničnu bol i PTSP postaje sve sofisticiranija, rezultirajući dobro podržanim teorijama i tretmanima za bolesnike. Međutim, samo se nekolicina istraživanja specifično pozabavila međuodnosom ovih dvaju stanja. Različiti fiziološki, psihološki i bihevioralni mehanizmi mogli bi objasniti povezanost među njima. Iskustva iz kliničke prakse i znanstvena istraživanja ukazuju na to da su kronična bol i PTSP stanja koja se međusobno podržavaju, sa značajnim negativnim utjecajem na tijek bolesti, ishod liječenja i kvalitetu života bolesnika. Postoji više načina na koje bi oba poremećaja mogla utjecati na eskalaciju simptoma i tjeskobe nakon traume. Stoga, važno je u kliničkoj praksi razumjevati utjecaj PTSP-a na kroničnu bol i obrnuto. U procjeni i liječenju bolesnika koji imaju kroničnu bol i komorbiditetni PTSP potreban je multidisciplinarni pristup, što dovodi do boljih ishoda uz redukciju troškova liječenja.Chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly comorbid conditions, often associated with a significant level of affective distress and physical disability. Patients with chronic pain have higher rates of PTSD. Likewise, patients with PTSD are often diagnosed with numerous chronic pain conditions. Despite the high comorbidity, it is still unknown why pain and PTSD symptoms coexist. Throughout the past few decades, the literature relating to chronic pain and PTSD has become progressively more sophisticated, resulting in well-supported theories and treatments for sufferers. However, only a handful of studies have specifically addressed the co-occurrence of these two disorders. Different physiological, psychological and behavioral mechanisms could explain the association between them. Clinical practice and research suggest that chronic pain and PTSD are mutually maintaining conditions, interacting in such a way as to negatively impact the course of either disorder, treatment outcomes and patient’s quality of life. There are several pathways by which both disorders may be involved in the escalation of symptoms and distress following trauma. Therefore, it is important in clinical settings to understand the impact of PTSD on chronic pain and vice versa. In the evaluation and treatment of patients with chronic pain and PTSD comorbidity multidisciplinary approach is required, which leads to better outcomes and reduces the cost of treatment
