Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
-
Quantitative sensorial tests (QST) are used for evaluating specific sensorial nerve function. In this study, QST and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are compared in lumbar disc herniation patients, and the accuracy of QST data was investigated. ⋯ According to the results of our study, QST has an additive effect to MRI for nerve root compression evaluation in the clinical basis, which might enable more sensitive diagnosis and treatment protocol. QST can also be an alternative method for evaluation of nerve root compression in patients who have contraindications for MRI.
-
Unsafe use of opioids prescribed for pain is a common challenge in primary care. We aimed to describe a novel clinical program designed to address this issue-the Opioid Reassessment Clinic-and evaluate preliminary efficacy. ⋯ Results suggest the Opioid Reassessment Clinic was effective in the management of a small group of high-complexity patients. Wide-scale dissemination may require adapted care models.
-
Traumatic brain injury refers to a broad range of neurological, cognitive, and emotional factors that result from the application of an external force to the head. Individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury will frequently experience acute and chronic pain. ⋯ This review presents evidence that pain is common after traumatic brain injury. However, while there are many potential mechanisms explaining this problem such as neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, and axonal degeneration, we have no clear understanding of which of them contribute in individual patients. The authors highlight the priorities for research that will expand our knowledge and that may lead to the rational design of therapies that both reduce pain and provide optimal overall outcomes after traumatic brain injury.
-
The aim was to validate the short PTSD-8 scale against the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-1) for post-traumatic stress disorder and to test the latent structure of post-traumatic stress disorder in chronic pain patients. ⋯ Overall, the results showed that the PTSD-8 is a valid short screening tool to assess possible post-traumatic stress disorder among patients with chronic pain. In addition, the PTSD-8 scale comprises all of the upcoming ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms within its eight items. Thus, the PTSD-8 is likely also to measure the proposed ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder.