Pain
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Spinal glial and proinflammatory cytokine actions are strongly implicated in pathological pain. Spinal administration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 abolishes pathological pain and suppresses proinflammatory IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Drugs that bind the cannabinoid type-2 receptor (CB(2)R) expressed on spinal glia reduce mechanical hypersensitivity. ⋯ In spinal gp120 animals, AM1710 prevented bilateral mechanical hypersensitivity. For comparison to immunohistochemistry, IL-1β and TNF-α protein quantification from lumbar spinal and DRG homogenates was determined, and revealed increased DRG IL-1β protein levels from gp120, that was robustly prevented by AM1710 pretreatment. Cannabilactone CB(2)R agonists are emerging as anti-inflammatory agents with pain therapeutic implications.
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Inadequate treatment of pain in United States emergency departments (EDs) is common, in part because of the limited and idiosyncratic use of opioids by emergency providers. This study sought to determine the relationship between patient socioeconomic characteristics and the likelihood that they would receive opioids during a pain-related ED visit. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of ED data obtained as part of a multicenter study of outcomes after minor motor vehicle collision (MVC). ⋯ Differences in the frequency of opioid administration between patients with the lowest educational attainment (39%, 95% confidence interval 22% to 60%) and highest educational attainment (13%, 95% confidence interval 7% to 23%) remained after adjustment for age, sex, income, and pain severity (P=.01). In this sample of post-MVC ED patients, more educated patients were less likely to receive opioids. Further study is needed to assess the generalizability of these findings and to determine the reason for the difference.
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between parental chronic pain and anxiety, depression, and conduct problems in adolescents. The current study was based on cross-sectional surveys performed during 2006 to 2008 from the Nord Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 3 and Young-HUNT 3). The sample consisted of 3227 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years for whom information was available on parental chronic pain and health statuses. ⋯ These results remained after adjusting for the possible effects of confounding factors and parental mental health. The results suggest that the presence of both maternal and paternal chronic pain is a high risk factor for internalizing symptoms in both girls and boys. The present study offers insights that should prove useful in clinical work and further large-scale research.