The Clinical journal of pain
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Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common source of work disability. Opioid prescribing for MSDs has been on the rise, despite a lack of data on effectiveness. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to determine whether early receipt of opioids is associated with future work outcomes among workers with MSDs compared with other analgesics, no analgesics, or placebo. ⋯ Current literature suggests that opioids provided within the first 12 weeks of onset of an MSD are associated with prolonged work disability. However, the conclusions of these studies need testing in a high-quality study that addresses the methodological shortcomings identified in the current review.
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Individuals with chronic pain often report increased pain sensitivity compared with pain-free individuals; hence, it is crucial to determine whether and how different pain characteristics influence or interact with pain sensitivity. An alternative to experimental pain sensitivity testing is the self-reported pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ), which captures pain sensitivity in various body areas.This study compares PSQ in individuals with and without pain and clarifies how pain sensitivity relates to spreading of pain on the body, and to intensity, frequency, duration of pain and to age and sex. ⋯ The positive association between pain sensitivity and spreading of pain on the body provides some evidence that the extent of spreading may be related to the degree of pain sensitivity. Before clinical use of PSQ, psychometric development and further research are needed.