IMMUNO‑INFLAMMATORY MECHANISMS IN THE CHRONIFICATION OF PAIN

Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia; Pain Medicine and Column Center at Randall

Chronic pain affects 20% of the global population, with current treatments achieving limited success. Growing evidence indicates that immuno-inflammatory mechanisms critically mediate the transition from acute to chronic pain, extending beyond sustained nociceptive input. Peripheral tissue injury triggers coordinated immune responses involving pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune cell infiltration, which perpetuate nociceptive environments. Central activation of glial cells induces persistent neuroinflammation and enhanced excitatory neurotransmission, influencing pain outcomes.