Der Schmerz
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The complexity of the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) poses a particular challenge for both those affected and those treating persons with the condition. The present study deals with the questions of coping with FMS from the perspective of both those affected and those treating them and their assessment of needs and requirements in terms of health services. ⋯ Self-help groups and regionally available networks represent important support possibilities, not least with regard to the psychosomatic component of FMS. Improved coordination of care services can be achieved by promoting interdisciplinary networking. Strengthening the self-initiative of patients and promoting the work of self-help groups can help those affected to develop individual coping strategies.
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Since 2017, the diagnosis of patients with orofacial pain at the University Center for Dental Medicine Basel has been supplemented by using standardized image graphics (Dolografie® [Affolter/Rüfenacht, Bern, Switzerland]). For this purpose, patients select from a set of 34 cards those that visually best match their pain and then explain the reason for their choice. ⋯ The use of standardized image cards as a "visual communication tool" has proven to be a time-efficient procedure in the context of history taking, which helps to obtain clinically relevant information not previously expressed by the patient.
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Observational Study
[What became of Prialt®? : Observational study on the use of ziconotide in the treatment of chronic pain].
Prialt® was approved by the European Medicine Agency in February 2005. Besides morphine, it is the only analgesic approved for long-term intrathecal infusion in the treatment of chronic pain. As it does not bind to opioid receptors, its use in the treatment of chronic pain seemed to be safer and to lead to less adverse events compared with morphine. However, it is an orphan drug and studies of its long-term use are rare. ⋯ Ziconotide was used at the Jena University Hospital according to the latest guidelines. Nevertheless, morphine and other opioid analgesics are still more frequently used in the intrathecal management of chronic pain. There are various reasons for this, but the narrow therapeutic index, the high incidence of adverse events, and the difficulties in finding the right dose are among the most important.
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Editorial Comment
[Michael Pfingsten leaves the ship: translation as a living process].