Der Schmerz
-
Review Meta Analysis
[Placebo responders in randomized controlled drug trials of fibromyalgia syndrome : Systematic review and meta-analysis].
The superiority of true drug treatment over placebo in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is small. Drug placebo treatment of functional somatic syndromes (FSS) such as FMS has been discussed. We determined the magnitude of placebo responders in drug trials with FMS patients to substantiate further research on placebo treatment of FSS. ⋯ The magnitude of responders to placebo in drug trials of FMS is substantial. The efficacy, safety, and costs of drugs recommended for FMS therapy and open-label placebo should be compared in large multinational trials sponsored by public institutions. The English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink (under "Supplemental").
-
Nondermatomal somatosensory deficits (NDSDs) are frequently found in chronic pain patients and allude to pain sensitization and pain centralization. In the clinical examination NDSDs are as a rule accompanied by hyposensitivity to touch and heat perception often with a quadrantal or hemibody distribution. ⋯ Most patients with chronic pain disorders as well as those with NDSD often report an antecedent period of high psychobiological stress. The data from functional imaging reveal a complex pattern of a central nervous dysregulation.
-
Paroxysmal hemicrania is experienced as headache attacks with pain and accompanying symptoms similar to those of cluster headaches. Attacks are, however of shorter duration, occur more frequently, affect predominantly women and respond reliably to indomethacin. Paroxysmal hemicrania can also occur secondary to an identifiable cause. ⋯ Some patients have been described with both cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia. These patients should receive both diagnoses. It is important to differentiate these headache entities as specific therapy is needed for each to achieve optimal pain relief.
-
Comparative Study
[Physicians' knowledge on cancer pain therapy : Comparison of palliative care and prehospital emergency physicians in training].
Palliative care needs a high level of expertise. In particular, there are some potential difficulties in the treatment of patients with the symptom cancer pain (for example lack of education). In Germany, various physicians are involved in cancer pain treatment but in general palliative care patients are treated by a physician who is educated in palliative medicine. In special circumstances prehospital emergency physicians and other physicians are involved in therapy decisions in palliative care patients as well. The authors surveyed different groups of physicians in Germany about their specific knowledge of cancer pain management. ⋯ The results of this study verified that the highest knowledge scores were achieved by PPs and overall, the knowledge scores showed an improvement in comparison to previous investigations. In recent years there seems to have been an improvement in education on pain treatment,for example during medical school. Whether this also leads to an improvement of patient care and the relevance of these data for the clinical practice needs to be investigated in further studies.
-
Comparative Study
[Accompanying evalution of funded projects in palliative medicine of the German Cancer Aid].
The German Cancer Aid funded 12 regional projects which developed different models of palliative home care. The realization of the projects were concurrently monitored and evaluated. ⋯ The results of this evaluation can support the discussion about the development of palliative home care in Germany with particular focus on possible interrelations between structures, target groups and possible outcomes of care.