Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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To identify patient factors and health care utilization patterns associated with dose escalation during the first year of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain. ⋯ Dose escalation during the first year of long-term opioid therapy is associated with higher rates of substance use disorders and more frequent outpatient encounters, especially non face-to-face encounters.
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This study aims to assess the prevalence of chronic pain, its characteristics, and its impact on the general Spanish population. Also, to establish chronic pain patient subgroups according to the characteristics of pain and to identify variables specifically associated with each subgroup. ⋯ Pain affects an important proportion of the Spanish adult population and that it has a strong personal impact. Two pain groups were clearly distinguished by their clinical characteristics.
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Simulation is an evolving aspect of medical education. The role of simulation in training programs is variable, however, in technical specialties such as surgery and anesthesiology its role is quickly becoming a standard part of training programs. Pain fellowship programs must teach clinical diagnostic skills, pharmacology and pathophysiology, in addition to interventional skills to fellows with varying residency backgrounds. ⋯ This report describes the incorporation of simulation and crucial conversations into a pain fellowship curriculum.
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To investigate the effects of different doses of topical dexamethasone (Dex) on sciatic nerves with simulated compressive neuropathy. ⋯ Topical Dex reversed electrophysiological, behavioral, and structural changes in chronically compressed sciatic nerves. Differences between the beneficial effects of high-dose and low-dose Dex were nonsignificant.