Der Schmerz
-
The current debate about end-of-life decisions in Germany focuses on physician-assisted suicide (PAS). However, there is only limited information available on physicians' attitudes towards euthanasia or PAS, and no data on nurses' attitudes. ⋯ The fact that nurses had a more positive attitude towards euthanasia and PAS and that all respondents accepted life-ending acts for themselves more than for their patients hints to still existing severe deficits in Germany.
-
We report on two patients with schizoaffective psychosis, cancer, and pain. However, it is not possible to make somatic or psychic disturbances alone responsible for the pain. In patients with current schizoaffective disorders, only administration of a combination of psychopharmaceutical and opioid agents is successful.
-
Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
[Opioids in chronic noncancer pain-are opioids different? : A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy, tolerability and safety in randomized head-to-head comparisons of opioids of at least four week's duration.]
We updated a systematic review on the comparative efficacy, tolerability and safety of opioids and of their routes of application in chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). ⋯ Pooled head-to-head comparisons of opioids (opioid of the sponsor of the study versus standard opioid) provide no rational for preferring one opioid and/or administration route over another in the therapy of patients with CNCP. The English full-text version of this article is freely available at SpringerLink (under "Supplemental").