Der Schmerz
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The present paper is one of a series of publications, reviewing German instruments for psychological assessment of pain. Their main focus is on the results of a task force on quality testing for each subject. This paper describes and comments on methods regarding self-reporting of pain cognitions and both cognitive and behavioral strategies for coping with pain. ⋯ A similar procedure was followed with instruments for the assessment of pain-related coping strategies. According to our research there are two subgroups of coping instruments, one more specifically for cognitive coping with pain, and the other combined with behavioral coping strategies. Once again, we elaborated a specific and differential recommendation, giving priority to instruments taking account of both cognitive and behavioral dimensions of coping with pain.
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Chronic pain requires chronic treatment. Dihydrocodeine retard (DHC) complies with the requirements for treatment of chronic pain: its sustained release formula provides pain relief for up to 12 h. Thus, taking two tablets of this preparation daily is sufficient to ensure continuous pain relief. ⋯ The most frequent side effects were gastrointestinal (n=106), followed by symptoms related to the central nervous system such as dizziness, sedation, etc. (n=50), and non-specific symptoms such as indisposition (n=29). Other specific symptoms were rare and distributed over many different organ systems. Insummary, the findings of this post marketing surveillance study suggest that sustained-release dihydrocodeine is an effective and safe analgesic drug for the treatment of chronic pain of various causes.
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Patients with chronic headache are seen in an interdisciplinary pain clinic after many years of treatment. Compared with other pain syndromes, the standards for diagnosis and treatment are widely accepted according to the guidelines of the International Headache Society. Nevertheless, many patients continue to suffer. Analysis of their special clinical features may help to clarify what kind of conditions potentially cause chronicity. ⋯ The results are discussed with respect to their relevance in explaining development of chronic pain, as seen in selected headache patients in an interdisciplinary pain clinic.
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Postoperative pain therapy often appears to be inadequate in children. The present study was a retrospective investigation of the administration of analgesics given to 133 children and adults following surgery for funnel chest between 1983 and 1994. ⋯ Children received smaller quantities of narcotics than adults when postoperative analgesia was performed with PRN administration. PCA led to delivery of larger quantities of narcotic drugs than PRN medication in children.