European journal of pain : EJP
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Topical analgesics applied locally to skin or to specialized compartments modify pain by actions on sensory nerve endings and/or adjacent cellular elements. With this approach, there are low systemic drug levels, good tolerability and few drug interactions, and combination with oral formulations is feasible. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the potential for topical analgesics to contribute to improved management of neuropathic pain. ⋯ There is a growing number of controlled trials and case reports of investigational agents (vasodilators, glutamate receptor antagonists, α2-adrenoreceptor agonists, antidepressants, centrally acting drugs), including combinations of several agents, indicating these produce pain relief in neuropathic pain. There is interest in compounding topical analgesics for neuropathic pain, but several challenges remain for this approach. Topical analgesics have the potential to be a valuable additional approach for the management of neuropathic pain.
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Observational Study
Utilization of fentanyl buccal tablets in England: Exploring off-label use reported in a cohort study.
Fentanyl citrate buccal tablets are indicated for the treatment of breakthrough pain (BTP) in cancer, in adults who are receiving maintenance opioid therapy for chronic cancer pain. ⋯ The final study results show that fentanyl buccal is largely being prescribed according to the terms of the license in general practice in England, but off-licence use and use in the presence of contraindications and warnings have been reported.
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Little is known about the impact of pain on physical functioning among the oldest-old subjects. In this study, we first examined the associations between the number of painful sites and measures of physical functioning reflecting different stages of the disablement process (physical impairment, functional limitation and disability) among nonagenarians (more than ninety years old persons). Second, we described the effect of painful sites on disability during a 2-year follow-up period. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest that musculoskeletal pain in nonagenarians is highly prevalent and is associated with poor physical performance and disability.
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Leisure time physical activity is recommended for preventing long-term sickness absence (LTSA). Although low back pain (LBP) is a risk factor for sickness absence and physical activity is recommended for people with LBP, it is unknown if leisure time physical activity prevents LTSA among persons with different levels of LBP. ⋯ Leisure time physical activity is a strong predictive factor on LTSA among female healthcare workers with no and non-chronic LBP, but not among those with more persistent LBP.
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Although many studies have explored gender role expectations of pain behaviours in different cultures, only a few authors have tried to explore whether certain pains are more associated with the typical man or woman. Hence, this study aimed at exploring, among Portuguese laypeople and nurses, patterns of common pains more strongly associated with the typical man or woman, and their relationship with health-care training and personal pain experiences. ⋯ This study identified different gendered patterns of common pains, which may have important implications for (wo)men's pain experiences and how these are interpreted by others.