European journal of pain : EJP
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Recent studies have indicated that low back pain (LBP) is common already in adolescence, but only few studies have evaluated the factors that determine LBP-related health care use at this age. ⋯ Approximately one out of six adolescents with LBP seeks medical care. Intensity of pain and daily activity limitations appear to be the main determinants of seeking care for LBP in adolescence.
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Peripheral nerve injury is associated with a spinal microglial response that has been correlated with the development of behaviours reflective of neuropathic pain. ⋯ Persistent mechanical hypersensitivity developed in all 'neuropathic' rats. However, spinal microgliosis, as measured by increased CD11b/c immunohistochemical staining and increased numbers of cells expressing CD11b measured by flow cytometry, was evident in the SNT and to a lesser extent in the HIV neuropathy models but not the VZV model. These results suggest that behavioural hypersensitivity and thigmotaxis can only be linked to a microglial response in certain models of neuropathy.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder characterized by abdominal pain related to defecation with a change in bowel habit. Patients with IBS often exhibit increased visceral sensitivity, which can be tested clinically by rectal balloon distension procedures. This paper aims to give an overview of mechanisms involved in visceral hypersensitivity in IBS by reviewing recent literature. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT: A literature search in the electronic databases Pubmed and MEDLINE was executed using the search terms 'visceral pain' or 'visceral nociception' or 'visceral hypersensitivity' and 'irritable bowel syndrome.' Both original articles and review articles were considered for data extraction. ⋯ Alterations in the modulatory balance of pro- and antinociceptive central processing of noxious peripheral input may serve as in integrative hypothesis for explaining visceral hypersensitivity in IBS. Nevertheless, it remains troublesome to estimate the contribution of central and peripheral factors in visceral hypersensitivity, posing a challenge in determining effective therapeutic entities.
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To estimate the prognostic value of pain in one body region on the risk for developing chronic pain in other body regions. ⋯ Among health care workers, chronic musculoskeletal pain in one body region increases the risk for developing chronic pain in other pain-free body regions. Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among health care workers should focus holistically on the musculoskeletal system.
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To investigate changes in heat pain threshold and modifications in heat pain processing during pregnancy and labour, seventy-six nulliparous pregnant women were enrolled in two studies. ⋯ In pregnant women, there is a progressive increase of heat pain threshold and a reduction of the CHEP amplitude, suggesting that a general inhibitory mechanism may be involved.