Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
-
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is estimated to affect 2% of the general U.S. population and chronic pain is a common comorbidity among persons with HCV. The primary purpose of this study was to compare health service utilization of U.S. military veterans with HCV with and without the presence of comorbid chronic pain. ⋯ Patients with HCV and chronic pain utilize medical services to a greater extent than patients with HCV but no chronic pain. Future studies that examine the efficacy of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain treatment for patients with comorbid HCV and chronic pain appear warranted.
-
The objective of this study was to review the epigenetic modifications involved in the transition from acute to chronic pain and to identify potential targets for the development of novel, individualized pain therapeutics. ⋯ Epigenetic analysis may identify mechanisms critical to the development of chronic pain after injury, and may provide new pathways and target mechanisms for future drug development and individualized medicine.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of a novel, proprietary, nano-formulated, lower dose oral diclofenac.
Safety concerns associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have prompted the development of new formulations that minimize adverse events (AEs) and maintain efficacy. ⋯ Lower dose, nano-formulated diclofenac demonstrated good overall efficacy, prompt pain relief, and was well tolerated. These data suggest lower dose nano-formulated NSAIDs could be effective for acute pain and may potentially improve safety and tolerability as a result of using a lower overall dose.
-
Compared with the blind technique, ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) reduces the amount of local anesthetic needed for a successful block. The purpose of this study is to determine the minimal, optimal volume of local anesthetic required for successful ultrasound-guided SGB and to reduce its adverse effects. ⋯ In conclusion, when performing an ultrasound-guided SGB, 2 mL dosage was sufficient for a successful block as the previous, conventional volume. Therefore, when performing an ultrasound-guided SGB, we recommend the 2 mL dosage of local anesthetics for a successful block.