European journal of pain : EJP
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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.
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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread pain and a variety of non-pain symptoms. Central sensitivity phenomena are found consistently in FMS. Additionally, several researchers proclaimed that a subgroup of FMS patients may present with unrecognized peripheral small fibre neuropathy (SFN). Laser-evoked brain potentials (LEP) are considered as a reliable method for the functional assessment of the thermo-nociceptive system, including the evaluation of SFN. ⋯ The present research does not support the hypothesis that small fibre neuropathy is a significant contributor to the pathophysiology of FMS.
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Gender beliefs help explain the variation found in pain among men and women. Gender norms and expectations are thought to affect how men and women report and express pain. However, less is known about how such beliefs are related to pain outside of laboratory settings. The aim of this study was therefore to consider the relationship between beliefs in male role norms, pain and pain behaviours in men and women. ⋯ Together these findings suggest that beliefs in gender (male) norms are relevant to pain, and that there is utility in exploring the variation in pain beyond binary male-female categories.
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We examined developmental trajectories of multisite musculoskeletal pain in midlife, and their associations with mental well-being. ⋯ Four developmental trajectories of multisite pain in midlife were described over 10-12 years of follow-up: low (41% of the sample), increasing (24%), high (15%) and decreasing (20%). Common mental disorders strongly associated with these. Belonging to the highest tertile of mental disorders at baseline increased the risk of membership in the high trajectory more than fivefold. On the other hand, together with a decrease in mental disorders, the number of pain sites decreased to zero.
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The α1 -adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, is used at high concentrations as a mydriatic agent and for the treatment of nasal congestion. Among its adverse side-effects transient burning sensations are reported indicating activation of the trigeminal nociceptive system. ⋯ Phenylephrine is used at high concentrations as a mydriaticum and for treating nasal congestion. As adverse side-effects burning sensations and headaches have been described. Phenylephrine at high concentrations causes calcium transients in trigeminal afferents, CGRP release and increased meningeal blood flow upon activation of TRPV1 receptor channels, which is likely underlying the reported pain phenomena.