MONDAY, Oct. 10 -- People are more sympathetic and receptive to the pain of likeable patients than those who are disliked, according to a new study.

Researchers say the findings could result in a lower level of care for people associated with negative qualities.

Researchers at Ghent University in Belgiumasked 40 volunteers to look at photos of six patients labeled with negative, neutral or positive descriptions, such as egotistical, reserved or friendly.

The volunteers then watched short videos of the patients with shoulder pain undergoing a physical. Based on what they saw, viewers rated the severity of the patients' pain on a scale of "no pain" to "pain as bad as could be," and categorized the patients as negative or positive, disagreeable or agreeable, as well as unsympathetic or sympathetic.

The study, published in the October issue of the journal PAIN, revealed the volunteers rated the patients associated with negative traits, such as "arrogant" as less likeable than patients associated with more neutral traits, such as "reserved" or "conventional." Those associated with the neutral traits, however, were considered less likeable than those who were assigned positive qualities, such as "honest" or "friendly."

Moreover, the researchers found volunteers were less sympathetic to the pain of the patients they did not like. The participants also discounted the discomfort of disliked patients expressing high-intensity pain, evaluating their pain as less intense than that of the likable patients expressing high-intensity pain. Among the disliked patients, the researchers added, the study participants were less able to differentiate between various levels of pain.

"Our results suggest that pain of disliked patients who express high pain is taken less seriously by others. This could imply less helping behavior by others as well as poorer health outcomes," the authors said in a journal news release.

-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas

SOURCE: Elsevier Health Sciences Journals, news release, Oct. 3, 2011

Some Shoes That Seem Comfortable Can Actually Worsen Foot Pain, Researchers Say

By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health News

Reviewed By Laura J. Martin, MD

Oct. 3, 2011 -- Sandals may look comfortable, but they can actually worsen the pain of people with gout.

Researchers in New Zealand say people with gout commonly wear the wrong type of shoes, leading to increased pain, impairment, and disability.

A group of scientists led by Keith Rome, PhD, of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, signed up 50 gout patients from rheumatology clinics, and assessed their footwear choices.

Careful Footwear Selection Needed

The study showed that many gout patients wore shoes with "poor footwear characteristics that included poor cushioning, lack of support, lack of stability, and motion control," Rome says in an email.

About 56% of the participants made good footwear choices, such as athletic sneakers, walking shoes, or oxfords.

But 42% of the gout sufferers wore footwear that can aggravate pain, such as sandals, flip-flops, slippers, or moccasins. None of those in the study wore high-heeled shoes and 2% said they wore boots.

Old Shoes Pose Problems

Rome tells WebMD that more than 50% of the shoes worn by these patients were a year or more old, and demonstrated excessive wear patterns.

Still, when they do get around to buying new shoes, the "patients reported comfort, fit, support, and cost as important factors in choosing
their own footwear," Rome says.

Specifically, 98% of the participants identified comfort as an important factor in selecting footwear, 90% said fit, 79% support, and 60% cost.

Cheaper Shoes for Gout Patients Might Help

Further research needs to be done that will allow doctors and patients to better recognize the best shoes available for comfort that also are economically priced, the researchers write. Gout patients need shoes that are wide enough, have ample cushioning, and allow motion control.

More than half of those in the study mentioned cost as a factor in shoe selection, suggesting that cost may influence gout patients to purchase improper footwear.

Obesity may also be a factor in pain related to the footwear of gout patients, the researchers write.

Rome and his colleagues suggest that proper footwear selection be discussed with gout patients to reduce foot pain and impairment.

Previous research has shown that gout is on the increase around the world and is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting men.

The study is published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

SOURCES: News release, American College of Rheumatology.Rome, K., Arthritis Care & Research, October 2011.Frecklington, M. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, May 2011. ©2011 WebMD, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

-- Chronic pain can be physically and emotionally difficult to manage, but taking an active role in your care can help.

The Cleveland Clinic mentions these suggestions to help manage chronic pain:

• Learn as much as possible about your condition, and discuss what you've learned with your doctor.
• Schedule time for exercise, rest and relaxation throughout the day.
• Practice deep breathing and other stress management techniques.
• Don't push yourself too hard.
• Practice positive self-talk, reminding yourself that you are strong.
• Limit or avoid alcohol, and quit smoking.
• Participate in a support group for people living with chronic pain.