European journal of pain : EJP
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A major concern with cannabis-based medicines (CbM) and medical cannabis (MC) is the risk of abuse and dependence. The face validity of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria for cannabis dependence in patients prescribed CbM for chronic pain has not been assessed. ⋯ Sixty-nine per cent of 178 pain medicine physicians in Canada, Germany and Israel who participated in a survey on the appropriateness of the ICD-10 criteria for cannabis abuse and dependence for patients prescribed cannabis-derived products for chronic pain assessed the criteria as appropriate, whereas 20.6% deemed the criteria as not appropriate.
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Most studies investigating the prognosis of low back pain (LBP) enrol people presenting for care, rather than all people who have an episode of LBP. We aimed to describe the prognosis of an acute episode of LBP in a community inception cohort. ⋯ This study describes the prognosis of an acute episode of LBP in a community inception cohort. This study found the majority of episodes of LBP, in community-dwelling adults, recover rapidly (median of 5 days) and more quickly than typically reported for clinical populations. The community should be reassured about the favourable prognosis of acute LBP.
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Obesity is frequently associated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) and chronic pain. OSA as well as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment may modulate the pain perception threshold (PT) in patients with obesity. ⋯ In patients with obesity, this exploratory study showed that the presence of an OSA is associated with a decreased PT, whereas implantation of a CPAP device tends to normalize pain perception.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The selfBACK artificial intelligence-based smartphone app can improve low back pain outcome even in patients with high levels of depression or stress.
selfBACK provides individually tailored self-management support for low back pain (LBP) via an artificial intelligence-based smartphone app. We explore whether those with depressive/stress symptoms can benefit from this technology. ⋯ We have demonstrated that an app supporting the self-management of LBP is helpful, even in those with higher levels of baseline depression and stress symptoms. selfBACK offers an opportunity to support people with LBP and provides clinicians with an additional tool for their patients, even those with depression or high levels of stress. This highlights the potential for digital health interventions for chronic pain.
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Observational Study
Incidence of Trigeminal Neuralgia: a Population-Based Study in Central Sweden.
The primary aim of this observational study was to determine the incidence of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in a county in central Sweden. The secondary aim was to investigate TN characteristics including the affected side and nerve branches. ⋯ There is limited knowledge about the true incidence of trigeminal neuralgia. This manuscript provides an estimate of 5.5 cases per 100,000 person-years, by using a thorough case ascertainment methodology.