Pain physician
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Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is an interventional technique used to relieve disc herniation related back and radicular pain. Although few studies have investigated the factors predicting positive outcomes after TFESI, there is no data concerning the possible relationship between pre-procedure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the response to TFESI. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a lower probability of meaningful pain relief following TFESI. It may worth assessing serum vitamin D level prior to this intervention, although prospective investigation is necessary.
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Observational Study
Altered Neurovascular Coupling in Patients with Chronic Myofascial Pain.
Despite previous reports on cerebral structures and functional connectivity in patients with myofascial pain (MFP), it is not clear whether alterations in neurovascular coupling occur in these patients. ⋯ This study demonstrated for the first time that impairment of neurovascular coupling in the brain may be a potential neuropathological mechanism of chronic MFP.
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Although the clinical significance and treatment management of opioid use disorder (OUD) is sufficiently discussed, utilization of healthcare services associated with OUD has not been adequately studied in the United States. ⋯ In the United States, very few health issues have garnered the attention of such diverse sectors as the opioid crisis. Our analysis of 2016 NIS data found that patients with OUD accounted for approximately 740,000 discharges that year. This represents about a 55% increase over 2015. We also demonstrate that inpatient settings provide a unique opportunity for targeting evidence-based, comprehensive interventions at patients with OUD. Key words: Opioid use disorder, discharge diagnosis, hospital resource utilization, cost-to-charge ratio, HCUP, NIS, AHRQ.
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Observational Study
Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) in the Treatment of Cervical and Lumbar Back Pain: A Retrospective Observational Clinical Study.
Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is a leukocyte-free platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that is an effective biological approach to tissue repair and has been demonstrated to significantly improve multiple conditions, including low back pain and degenerative disc pathology. ⋯ According to the results obtained in this study, and taking into account their limitations, PRGF infiltrations are an effective and minimally invasive biological strategy in the treatment of both cervical and lumbar pain, evaluated according to PRO.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Using RNA-Seq to Explore the Hub Genes in the Trigeminal Root Entry Zone of Rats by Compression Injury.
Mechanical compression on the trigeminal root entry zone (TREZ) by microvascular is the main etiology of primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN). ⋯ Based on the results of RNA-seq, this study discovered 6 hub genes in the TREZ that are closely related to the TN animal model, which provide a potential breakthrough point to explore the pathogenesis of TN.