European journal of pain : EJP
-
Individuals vary in their temperature and pungency preferences; whereas some individuals prefer to bath in, or consume food and beverages at very high temperatures, others prefer lukewarm temperatures. Similarly, pungent food may be preferred by some, but not by others. The aim was to investigate, for the first time whether temperature and pungency preferences are associated with variations in thermal sensitivity or ethnic origin related to pungency consumption. ⋯ People vary with regard to their temperature and spiciness preferences for reasons yet unknown. The study revealed that these preferences correlate with one another and were associated with the sensitivity to noxious heat but not with age, gender and cultural background, which suggests that they may be innate.
-
In pain research and clinics, it is common practice to subgroup subjects according to shared pain characteristics. This is often achieved by computer-aided clustering. In response to a recent EU recommendation that computer-aided decision making should be transparent, we propose an approach that uses machine learning to provide (1) an understandable interpretation of a cluster structure to (2) enable a transparent decision process about why a person concerned is placed in a particular cluster. ⋯ Assessing the variables importance in clustering is important for understanding any cluster structure. XAI models are able to provide a human-understandable interpretation of the cluster structure. Model selection must be adapted individually to the clustering problem. The advantage of comprehensibility comes at an expense of accuracy.
-
Metabolomics deals with the identification and quantification of small molecules (metabolites) in biological samples. As metabolite levels can reflect normal or altered metabolic pathways, their measurement provides information to improve the understanding, diagnosis and management of diseases. Despite its immense potential, metabolomics applications to pain research have been sparse. This paper describes current metabolomics techniques, reviews published human metabolomics pain research and compares successful metabolomics research in other areas of medicine with the goal of highlighting opportunities offered by metabolomics to advance pain medicine. ⋯ Metabolomics research in chronic pain is in its infancy. Most studies are at the pilot stage. Metabolomics research has been successful in other areas of medicine. These achievements should motivate investigators to expand metabolomics research to improve the understanding of the basic mechanisms of human pain, as well as provide tools to diagnose, predict and monitor chronic pain conditions. Metabolomics research can lead to the identification of biomarkers to support the development and testing of treatments, thereby facilitating personalized pain medicine.
-
This systematic review synthesized evidence from European neck and low back pain (NLBP) clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to identify recommended treatment options for use across Europe. ⋯ Consensus regarding evidence-based treatment recommendations for patients with neck and low back pain (NLBP) from recent European clinical practice guidelines identifies a wide range of predominantly non-pharmacological treatment options. This includes options potentially applicable to all patients with NLBP and those applicable to only specific patient subgroups. Future work within our Back-UP research team will transfer these evidence-based treatment options to an accessible clinician decision support tool for first contact clinicians.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Dexmedetomidine versus Clonidine Adjuvants to Levobupivacaine for Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Pediatric Laparoscopic Orchiopexy: Randomized, Double-Blind Study.
Laparoscopic surgeries are associated with less postoperative pain and adverse events compared to open procedures. But, it still reduces the quality of life in children. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is used to reduce pain. We hypothesized that dexmedetomidine or clonidine could improve the analgesic profile of levobupivacaine to the same extent during TAP block in children. ⋯ Clonidine can alternate dexmedetomidine during TAP block with local anesthetics for pediatrics laparoscopies. Both can lead to better postoperative analgesic profiles. Clonidine may be preferred, especially in our developing regions, because of its easy availability and lower cost than that of dexmedetomidine.