European journal of pain : EJP
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Population-based studies show that sleep problems and psychological symptoms may increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain onset in children/adolescents. However, there is no evidence of these associations within primary care settings, where interventions can take place. This study investigated whether children/adolescents who consulted their general practitioner for sleep problems or psychological symptoms are at higher risk of subsequent consultations for musculoskeletal conditions. ⋯ Population-based studies showed that sleep problems and psychological symptoms may be important precursors of musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents. By investigating these associations in primary care settings, this study showed that children and adolescents with consultations for sleep problems or psychological symptoms were at increased risk of subsequent consultations for musculoskeletal conditions. These findings support results from population-based studies, and identify potential areas for further research and potential intervention within primary care.
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Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) is a screening questionnaire to help identify neuropathic pain (NP) in clinical practice and research. We tested the accuracy of the DN4 questionnaire in stratifying possible NP (pNP) and definite NP (dNP) in patients operated for breast cancer. ⋯ DN4 stratifies possible and definite postsurgical peripheral neuropathic pain. DN4i may also show this, but full DN4 is more accurate. We confirm DN4i as a valid screening tool for NP.
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Recognition of pain in people with dementia is challenging. Observational scales have been developed, but there is a need to harmonize and improve the assessment process. In EU initiative COST-Action TD1005, 36 promising items were selected from existing scales to be tested further. We aimed to study the observer agreement of each item, and to analyse the factor structure of the complete set. ⋯ In this international project, promising items from existing observational pain scales were identified and evaluated regarding their reliability as an alternative to pain self-report in people with dementia. Analysis on factor structure helped to understand the character of the items. Health professionals from four countries using four different European languages were able to rate items reliably. The results contributed to an informed reduction of items for a clinical observer scale (Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition scale with 15 items: PAIC15).
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The incidence of peripheral neuropathy development and chronic pain is strongly associated with the arrival of senescence. The gradual physiological decline that begins after the mature stage produces myelin dysregulation and pathological changes in peripheral nervous system, attributed to reduction in myelin proteins expression and thinner myelin sheath. Moreover in elder subjects, when nerve damage occurs, the regenerative processes are seriously compromised and neuropathic pain (NeP) is maintained. ⋯ Differently from adults, it does not affect fibres myelination. In light of a continuous growth in elderly population and correlated health problems, including metabolic disorders, the prevalence of neuropathy is enhancing, generating a significant public cost and social concern. In this context energy depletion by dietary restriction can be a therapeutic option in NeP.
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Cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX)-1 and COX-2 are important targets for pain relief after surgery, but the spinal contribution of both isoforms is still unclear, e.g., from a developmental point of view. Here, we studied changes of spinal COX-1 and COX-2 expression and their functional relevance in rats of different ages for pain-related behaviour after incision. ⋯ Postoperative pain in pediatric patients after surgery is still poorly controlled; this might contribute to long-lasting alteration in the nociceptive system and prolonged chronic pain. Here we show a possible developmental switch in the COX-dependent pathway for nociceptive spinal transmission that may explain why pain management in young children needs to be related to age-dependent mechanisms.