The Clinical journal of pain
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Multicenter Study
The Role of Illness Perceptions in Predicting Outcome Following Acute Whiplash Trauma - A Multicenter 12-month Follow-up Study.
To examine (1) whether the patients' perceptions of their symptoms immediately after the accident and at 3-month follow-up predict working ability and neck pain at 12-month follow-up and (2) the possible changes in patients' illness perceptions during the follow-up period. ⋯ The findings are in line with the common-sense model of illness and previous research demonstrating that patient's expectations for recovery and illness perceptions might influence the course after whiplash injury. Illness perceptions and expectations may provide a useful starting point for future interventions and be targeted in the prevention of chronicity.
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One theoretical model suggests that the pathway from pain to depression is through the disruption of social and relationship function. This study sought to test this hypothesis by considering the mediating effect of sexual functioning on the association between pain intensity and depressive symptoms in sexually active patients with chronic low back pain. ⋯ This study has shown that sexual functioning significantly mediates the relationship between pain intensity and depressive symptoms in sexually active patients with chronic low back pain. Clinicians may wish to consider the assessment of sexual functioning within this patient group and align treatments that address sexual dysfunction and general pain management.
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Cluster headache (CH) is characterized by severe, recurrent, unilateral attacks of extreme intensity and brief duration. Variants in a myriad of genes were studied in sporadic CH patients, often with conflicting results. ⋯ Our data (although obtained on a small number of cases) confirm the genetic heterogeneity of CH, suggesting that mutations in the ADH4 gene and a novel rearrangement involving NRXN3 gene might be related to CH in a subset of cases.
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Although microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a role in numerous biological processes, their function in neuropathic pain is not clear. The rat bilateral sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (bCCI) is an established model of neuropathic pain, so we examined miRNA expression and function in the spinal dorsal horn in bCCI rats. ⋯ Rap1a has diverse neuronal functions and their perturbation is responsible for several mental disorders. For example, Rap1a/MEK/ERK is involved in peripheral sensitization. These data suggest a potential role for miR-203 in regulating neuropathic pain development, and Rap1a is a validated target gene in vitro. Results from our study and others indicate the possibility that Rap1a may be involved in pain. We hope that these results can provide support for future research into miR-203 in gene therapy for neuropathic pain.
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Meta Analysis
Single-dose Systemic Acetaminophen to Prevent Postoperative Pain: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
The effect of a single-dose systemic acetaminophen to treat postoperative pain has been previously quantified, but the effect of systemic acetaminophen to prevent postoperative pain is currently not well defined. The preventive analgesic effect of acetaminophen has yet to be quantified in a meta-analysis. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the effect of a single preventive dose of systemic acetaminophen on postoperative pain outcomes. ⋯ Systemic acetaminophen, when used as a single-dose preventive regimen, is an effective intervention to reduce postoperative pain. It also reduces postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. Doses >1 g were not associated with greater reduction in pain outcomes.