Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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The objectives of this evidence-based review were to review the evidence for whether neuropathic pain (NP) is associated with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and soft tissue syndromes (STS), and review the reported prevalence percentages for NP within these syndromes. ⋯ There is consistent evidence by all methods that NP is present in CLBP and STS. Reported prevalence percentages by all methods are substantial. This has significant implications for the treatment of CLBP and STS.
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The prevalence of chronic pain ranges from 40% to 80% in long-term care facilities, and it is especially high among older adults who are unable to communicate due to cognitive impairments. Although validated assessment tools exist, pain detection in this population is often done by interdisciplinary evaluation (IE), which largely relies on the subjective impression of health care providers. The aim of this study was to examine the agreement between the IE and validated observational pain tools. ⋯ These results may be explained by an inability of IE to assess pain correctly or by instruments providing false positive results. Nevertheless, as detection of pain is difficult in this population, our research supports the use of validated tools to complement assessment of pain by the IE and make sure that no pain goes undetected.
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An individual's ability to effectively manage their cancer pain is influenced by knowledge and perceptions regarding the pain experience. While significance of the physician's knowledge of cancer pain management has been reported, much less is known how a patient's knowledge may influence their ability to optimally manage their pain. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence health and social factors have on the knowledge and experience of cancer pain among older adults. ⋯ Knowledge and experience of (cancer) pain are contingent upon a myriad of social and clinical factors that are not exclusive but rather coexisting determinants of health. Understanding older adults' knowledge of pain may begin to diminish the imparities in the diagnosis and treatment of pain among this growing diverse population of older adults. It may similarly allow for programs to be tailored to fit the specific needs of the patient in the treatment and management of their cancer pain.