Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Observational Study
Self-loathing aspects of depression reduce postoperative opioid cessation rate.
We previously reported that increased preoperative Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) scores were associated with a 47% (95% CI 24%-64%) reduction in the rate of opioid cessation following surgery. We aimed to identify the underlying factors of the BDI-II (affective/cognitive vs somatic) associated with a decreased rate of opioid cessation after surgery. ⋯ Our results identify a set of negative cognitions predicting prolonged time to postoperative opioid cessation. Somatic symptoms captured by the BDI-II were not primarily responsible for the association between preoperative BDI-II scores and postoperative prolonged opioid use.
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To evaluate smartphone apps intended for self-management of pain using quality assessment criteria and usability testing with prospective users. ⋯ Variation in app quality and a lack of user and clinician engagement in development were found across the pain apps in this research. Usability testing identified a range of user preferences. Although useful information was obtained, it would be beneficial to involve users earlier in the process of development, as well as establishing ways to merge end user requirements with evidence-based content, to provide high-quality and usable apps for self-management of pain.
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Case Reports
Resolution of migraine-like headache by coil embolization of a primitive trigeminal artery aneurysm.
We report a rare case of migraine-like headache associated with an unruptured primitive trigeminal artery (PTA) aneurysm with a coincident finding of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) fenestration. We discuss the possible mechanism of the headache and review the relevant literature. ⋯ Both primitive trigeminal artery aneurysm and fenestration of the cerebrovascular system are rare developmental anomalies. The PTA courses alongside and is in anatomical proximity to the trigeminal nerve. Therefore, PTA aneurysms are more likely to cause symptoms, due to compression of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminovascular system has been implicated in the genesis of migraine headaches. We propose the high-velocity pulsatile flow through the aneurysm across the surface of the trigeminal nerve as the etiology of the migraine-like headaches. Endovascular embolization might be a preferred procedure for dealing with patients in this setting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomized controlled trial of single point acupuncture in primary dysmenorrhea.
Acupuncture is often used for primary dysmenorrhea. But there is no convincing evidence due to low methodological quality. We aim to assess immediate effect of acupuncture at specific acupoint compared with unrelated acupoint and nonacupoint on primary dysmenorrhea. ⋯ Specific acupoint acupuncture produced a statistically, but not clinically, significant effect compared with unrelated acupoint and nonacupoint acupuncture in primary dysmenorrhea patients. Future studies should focus on effects of multiple points acupuncture on primary dysmenorrhea.
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Back pain is the most common type of pain reported by older adults, leading to considerable morbidity and cost. Yet little is known about the segment of the population ≥80 years old that can be used to guide care in this age group. Illness representations provide a useful framework to understand older adults' beliefs and perceptions of their back pain. The objective of this study was to understand illness representations of back pain, severe enough to restrict activity (restricting back pain). ⋯ Thematic analysis revealed that restricting back pain in older adults has variable and noteworthy physical, psychological and social consequences.There are several components of the illness representation of restricting back pain, specifically,the perceptions of consequences and control that may offer potential targets for clinical intervention.