Der Schmerz
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To date only few studies have addressed the level of intelligence of children and adolescents with chronic pain. The few currently available studies suggest a cognitive performance of pediatric pain patients in the average range (IQ 85-115); however, only little is known about the relationship between pain characteristics and cognitive skills. ⋯ The results support the assumption that the intellectual performance of pediatric pain patients lies within the average range; however, the results indicate a limited competence in verbal abstraction and expressiveness of pediatric pain patients, which are negatively related to pain intensity. Further studies to examine causal relationships are needed.
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Case Reports
[Schwannoma of the inferior gluteal nerve as a rare cause of gluteal radiating chronic low back pain].
This is the first report of a schwannoma of the inferior gluteal nerve (IGN) as a cause of chronic low back pain in a 43-year-old man. The patient suffered from severe pain radiating to the gluteal region. He was treated for months without pain relief and was on long-term disability. ⋯ By tumor resection, a schwannoma was histologically confirmed. After tumor removal the patient is free of pain with all medication discontinued. He has been fully reintegrated into his professional life.
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This study examines the perspectives of patients and family caregivers on outpatient palliative care networks. It contrasts primary palliative care (AAPV) and specialized outpatient care (SAPV) services, particularly in regard to pain management. ⋯ The personal and professional composition of networks of outpatient palliative care varies individually according to care situation and form. Care networks of AAPV and SAPV differ with regard to the accessibility of health care professionals and pain therapy. Home-based palliative care is often made possible by informal care givers in the first place.
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Structure and process parameters are not sufficient for adequate quality assurance in specialized palliative home care (SAPV). Asking the patients and their relatives for their assessment is crucial. A focus group in Jena, Germany, developed the quality assurance in specialized palliative home care (QUAPS) questionnaire for this assessment of outcome parameters, which was tested in two studies. ⋯ The simplified survey in QUAPS II resulted in a higher rate of complete datasets. The detected ceiling effects restrict the conclusions of the survey. Biases like social desirability cannot be ruled out. In the future, a combination of different questionnaires (e. g. integrated palliative outcome score [IPOS] and QUAPS) should be explored.
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People with dementia are receiving treatment in acute care hospitals at increasing rates. Most prominently, patients exhibiting behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are perceived as significant burdens for staff members. Non-detected pain is seen as one substantial reason for behavior that is seemingly unexplainable. In order to gather information about dealing with BPSD a survey was performed. The objective of this study was to enable a more cause-oriented treatment. ⋯ Nurses are especially affected in their daily work by patients with BPSD. Clarifying the cause may play a crucial role in treating BPSD.