# Comparing pain phenotypes across lower back, knee, and TMJ

> **NIH NIH UC2** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2024 · $426,010

## Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to compare multi-domain pain phenotypes across various pain conditions, with a
specific focus on the lower back, knee, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The objective is to bridge a crucial
gap in our comprehension of pain perception and manifestation within clinical patient populations, which holds
significant implications for developing targeted and personalized pain management strategies. The proposed
supplement seeks to conduct a comprehensive comparison of clinical pain phenotypes across these
anatomical sites by integrating data and research methodologies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Healing Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative's Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) and the Restoring Joint
Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) Consortium. By combining data on patients' pain experiences,
psychological distress, functional impairment, and quality of life with evaluations of innervation shifts at
pathological sites, this study aims to delineate similarities and differences in how chronic musculoskeletal pain
manifests across different anatomical locations. Musculoskeletal pain is a significant driver of opioid abuse and
a central focus of multiple HEAL programs, including BACPAC and RE-JOIN. Collaborative efforts between
principal investigators from BACPAC (Sowa and Vo) and RE-JOIN (Allen, Almarza, Cruz-Almeida) are
underway to bridge gaps between these initiatives. As part of these efforts, Specific Aim 1 aims to expand the
RE-JOIN Human Study to include blood collection and perform BACPAC analysis, comparing biomarkers
across chronic pain conditions. Specific Aim 2 focuses on characterizing the innervation patterns of BACPAC
samples obtained from different anatomical sites, while Specific Aim 3 aims to compare deep pain phenotype
data among patients with back, knee, and TMJ conditions. Through these aims, this research endeavor seeks
to deepen our understanding of pain mechanisms and pave the way for more effective personalized pain
management interventions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11091770
- **Project number:** 3UC2AR082196-01S3
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Kyle D Allen
- **Activity code:** UC2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $426,010
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2024-09-17 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11091770

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11091770, Comparing pain phenotypes across lower back, knee, and TMJ (3UC2AR082196-01S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11091770. Licensed CC0.

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