Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Unexplained abdominal pain is a common cause of hospital admission and utilizes significant resource. Current in-patient pain management of acute exacerbation of chronic abdominal pain is primarily directed at pharmacological and psychological management strategies in this group of complex patients. We adopted a novel approach that proved to be both clinically effective and cost-effective. ⋯ Abdominal myofascial pain syndrome is a poorly recognized cause of chronic abdominal pain, especially in patients with a past history of visceral inflammation. The novel strategy resulted in a significant reduction in opioid consumption, length of stay, and readmission rate.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effect of Baseline Characteristics on the Pain Response to Pregabalin in Fibromyalgia Patients with Comorbid Depression.
To evaluate the effect of baseline characteristics on the treatment response to pregabalin in fibromyalgia (FM) patients with depression. ⋯ Pregabalin significantly improved mean pain scores when compared with placebo for the majority of baseline characteristics assessed in FM patients taking an antidepressant for comorbid depression.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Motor Cortex on Visceral Pain in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently associated with visceral pain. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proven to reduce chronic pain; however, its effectiveness in malignant visceral pain is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of tDCS in patients with visceral pain due to HCC. ⋯ tDCS proved to be an effective and clinically relevant therapeutic strategy for visceral pain due to HCC.
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Take-home naloxone (THN) is recommended in response to pharmaceutical opioid-related mortality. Some health professionals are reluctant to discuss THN for fear of causing offense. The aims of this study were to assess knowledge of opioid overdose and attitudes toward THN for opioid overdose reversal in people with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). ⋯ Most participants had positive attitudes toward THN but low knowledge about opioid overdose symptoms. Strategies for educating patients and their caregivers on opioid toxicity are needed. THN may be best targeted toward those with risk factors in terms of overdose prevention and acceptability.
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Identify prescribing trends for opioid use in non-malignant chronic pain (NMCP) from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). Determine predictors of opioid use based on patient-specific factors. ⋯ Differences exist between those prescribed and not prescribed opioids. Results from this study paired with increased education and further research regarding the appropriate prescribing and monitoring of opioids may help enhance awareness, diminish treatment disparities and improve safe and appropriate use of opioids in the NMCP population.