Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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To examine the correlates and odds of receiving overlapping benzodiazepine and opioid prescriptions and whether co-prescription was associated with greater odds of falling or visiting the emergency department. ⋯ Among patients with chronic pain prescribed long-term opioid therapy, one-quarter of patients had co-occurring prescriptions for benzodiazepines, and dual use was associated with increased odds of falls and emergency department visits.
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The Feasibility and Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided C2 Nerve Root Coblation for Cervicogenic Headache.
The cervicogenic headache is a syndrome caused by dysfunction of the upper cervical spine and its component bony, disc, and/or soft tissue elements. The C2 nerve root may play a pivotal role in cervicogenic headache. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound-guided C2 nerve root coblation in managing 26 patients with cervicogenic headache. ⋯ C2 nerve coblation may provide the majority of patients with a pain relief period as long as 24 weeks. And ultrasound guidance is an efficient method with which to perform coblation.
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Observational Study
Validity and Reliability of the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool Among Individuals with Chronic Daily Headache: A Clinic-Based Study.
Fibromyalgia is a common chronic pain disorder typically associated with headache disorders, particularly chronic daily headache. However, fibromyalgia is typically underdiagnosed and undertreated. The Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool questionnaire is a brief, self-administered questionnaire composed of six "yes/no" questions for detecting fibromyalgia. The Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool questionnaire has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity among patients with chronic diffuse pain conditions. This study assessed the validity and reliability of the aforementioned questionnaire for detecting fibromyalgia among patients with chronic daily headache. ⋯ The Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying fibromyalgia among patients with chronic daily headache.
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Our aims were 1) to investigate whether perceived pain extent, assessed from the pain drawing, relates to clinical, psychological, and psychophysical outcomes in women with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS); 2) to assess differences in pain extent depending on the presence of median or extramedian symptoms; and 3) to investigate differences in pain extent according to severity (minimal, moderate, or severe) or laterality (unilateral or bilateral) of CTS. ⋯ Pain extent in the upper extremity was not associated with clinical, psychological, or psychophysical variables and was not related to the severity or laterality of the symptoms in women with CTS.
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Observational Study
Clinical Course and Impact of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Confined to the Knee.
Although complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the knee is comparable to CRPS of the ankle/foot at time of diagnosis, no reports are available concerning the course of knee CRPS. Therefore, this study investigated the clinical course in terms of the symptoms and signs, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and work status of patients diagnosed with CRPS of the knee. ⋯ CRPS of the knee changes in terms of symptoms over time, but significantly less than CRPS of other locations. A change in work status was reported in 82% of the patients due to their CRPS, and in 91%, the pain interfered with their daily life. CRPS of the knee is a painful condition with persistent symptoms causing a diminished HR-QoL.