Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Observational Study
Do acupuncture services reduce subsequent utilization of opioids and surgical interventions compared to noninvasive therapies among patients with pain conditions?
To compare prescribed opioid use and invasive surgical interventions between patients using acupuncture and those using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/physical therapy (PT). ⋯ Acupuncture showed a modest effect in reducing opioid use and ED visits. More research on acupuncture's place in emergency care, pain relief, and comparison to other types of non-opioid treatment is needed.
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Observational Study
MIGRAINE MONITORING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: TRIGGERS AND PROTECTORS DURING A PANDEMIC.
Aim of the present observational study was to assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine on migraine and evaluate potential influencing factors. Previous studies reported mixed results regarding clinical outcome during quarantine in patients with migraine. In particular, data from areas strongly affected by COVID-19 pandemic are missing. ⋯ Quarantine had an overall positive impact on migraine. Based on our results, we hypothesize the reduction of daily hassles and challenges might be the main reason for such improvement.
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Recently, several researchers reported an association between osteoarthritis and dry eye syndrome (DES) and suggested that they may be related to central sensitization. We investigated the association between DES, osteoarthritis pain, and radiographic severity. ⋯ Radiographic osteoarthritis showed a significant association with decreased DES. Patients with less pain and severe radiographic OA were more likely to have less DES. Our results suggest that the degree of pain caused by osteoarthritis and central sensitization may be closely associated with DES.
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Review Case Reports
SECONDARY NUMMULAR HEADACHE: A NEW CASE SERIES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.
Nummular headache (NH) is defined in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) by the presence of localized pain circumscribed to a small round area of the scalp, not better accounted by any other diagnosis. As in many other primary headache disorders, secondary cases might occur. To date, 13 secondary cases have been published. We aim to present a long series of secondary NH and review the literature of symptomatic NH. ⋯ Secondary NH phenotype overlaps primary NH. Therefore, we recommend routine imaging study in every NH patient. Concerning treatment, it was not necessary to remove the underlying lesion to control the pain and many cases responded to the same prophylactics as primary NH cases.