European journal of pain : EJP
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We investigated the literature of randomised placebo-controlled trials to find out if transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ALTENS) can reduce analgesic consumption after surgery. ⋯ TENS, administered with a strong, subnoxious intensity at an adequate frequency in the wound area, can significantly reduce analgesic consumption for postoperative pain.
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While morphine is historically the gold standard for the management of severe cancer pain, some patients either do not achieve adequate analgesia, or suffer intolerable side-effects. For these patients an alternative opioid is recommended. ⋯ Similar to morphine, transdermal fentanyl is effective for the management of moderate to severe cancer pain. However, inappropriate prescribing of transdermal fentanyl, particularly in the clinical setting of unstable pain, can cause significant opioid toxicity, as highlighted in the case reports described.
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Factors influencing the features of postherpetic neuralgia and outcome when treated with tricyclics.
This paper retrospectively reviews features of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in up to 279 personal patients in relation to treatment outcome when treated with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Factors affecting characteristics of PHN: (i) Patients with allodynia (89%) and/or burning pain (56%) have a much higher visual analogue pain intensity score than those without; (ii) Acyclovir (ACV) given for acute shingles (HZ) does not reduce the incidence of subsequent PHN, but reduces the pain intensity in PHN patients with allodynia; (iii) ACV given for acute HZ reduces the incidence of burning pain in subsequent PHN, but not of allodynia; (iv) ACV given for acute HZ reduces the incidence of clinically detectable sensory deficit in subsequent PHN. Factors affecting outcome of TCA-treated PHN: (i) The point in time at which TCA treatment is commenced is by far the most critical factor: started between 3 and 12 months after acute HZ onset, more than two-thirds obtain pain relief (NNT=1.8); between 13 and 24 months, two-fifths (41%) (NNT=3.6); and more than two years, one-third (NNT=8.3). Background and paroxysmal pain disappear earlier and are more susceptible of relief than allodynia. (ii) Twice as many (86%) of PHN patients without allodynia obtain pain relief with TCA treatment than those with (42%); (iii) the use of ACV for acute HZ more than halves the time-to-relief of PHN patients by TCAs; (iv) PHN patients with burning pain are significantly less likely to obtain pain relief with TCAs than those without (p<0.0001).
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the effect of video glasses and nitrous oxide analgesia on the perceived intensity of pain and unpleasantness evoked by dental scaling.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether distraction induced by video glasses had an effect on the perceived intensity of pain and unpleasantness during dental scaling compared with the effect of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) analgesia. The pain stimulus was dental scaling (removal of dental calculus) with an ultrasonic scaler. As a standardised, non-dental painful stimulus, Von Frey filaments were used. ⋯ A significant effect of video glasses and N(2)O(p<0.008) was found on the perceived pain intensity produced by Von Frey filament stimulation compared with the control situation, but no significant difference was seen between these methods (p=0.07). Post-treatment interviews of the patients revealed that 81% of the patients in the video and 65% in the N(2)O session stated that the method had some beneficial effect on their overall experience of the treatment situation. In conclusion, administration of video glasses or N(2)O did not affect the perceived intensity of pain and unpleasantness evoked by dental scaling.
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Aim of this study was to analyse the incidence CRPS-I after a fracture of the distal radius and to analyse risk factors. Patients who visited the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital, with a fracture of distal radius were asked to participate. As risk factors for CRPS-I, number of repositions (with or without local anaesthesia), additional cast changes and pain during the cast period, were assessed. ⋯ One female (1%, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6%), age 69 years with the following characteristics developed CRPS-I: one set of local anaesthetics, one repositioning attempt, no additional cast changes, average pain scores, no life events and her total score on the SCL-90 of 117, was slightly above average. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that the incidence of CRPS-I may be low (1%, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6%) after fractures of the distal radius. Further the risk factors described in literature play a minor role in the development of CRPS-I.