Suicidal Ideation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Title: Suicidal Ideation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Authors: Sarah Petelinsek, Jarom Morris, Vidya Gopinath, MD
Date: 1/27/2025
Abstract: A 52-year-old male with a past medical history of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) diagnosed in 2017 presented for Emergency Room (ER) follow-up and persistent passive suicidal ideation (SI). Comprehensive workup was performed, including evaluation by 18 different specialties, 20 different imaging studies, 19 different procedures, and 15 medication trials. However, the patient had a minimal response to most treatments. Despite this exhaustive diagnostic evaluation and diverse range of treatments, there was minimal management of his comorbid psychiatric conditions, and his PHQ was documented only 10 times. This eventually culminated in his emergency room visit. This case demonstrates the need to recognize the approximately 10-fold increased risk for suicidal ideation in patients with CRPS, the importance of frequent screening for suicidal ideation and depression in these patients, the necessity of tracking depression trends over time, and the critical role of multimodal management in CRPS, including the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities

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Suicidal Ideation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome by Sarah Petelinsek, Jarom Morris & Vidya Gopinath, MD