Scandinavian journal of pain
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Previous studies have shown that pelvic pain is common after hysterectomy. It is stated that only a minor part of that pain can be defined as persistent postsurgical pain. Our primary aim was to find out if the pelvic pain after hysterectomy may be classified as postsurgical. Secondary aims were to characterize the nature of the pain and its consequences on the health related quality of life. ⋯ Because persistent postsurgical pain seems to be the main cause of pelvic pain after hysterectomy, the decision of surgery has to be considered carefully. The management of posthysterectomy pain should be based on the nature of pain and the possibility of neuropathic pain should be taken into account at an early postoperative stage.
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Nursing documentation supports continuity of care and provides important means of communication among clinicians. The aim of this topical review was to evaluate the published empirical studies on postoperative pain documentation in a hospital setting. ⋯ Comprehensive auditing tools for evaluation of pain documentation can make quality assessment easier and coherent. Specific and clear documentation guidelines are needed and existing guidelines should be better implemented into practice. There is a need to increase nurses' knowledge of postoperative pain management, assessment and documentation. Studies evaluating effectiveness of high quality pain documentation are required.
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To determine the relationship between chronic pain patients' responses to self-report measures of pain intensity, and self-reported strategies when completing such measures. ⋯ (1) Chronic pain patients' elicited beliefs and strategies concerning how they complete pain intensity questionnaires are sometimes, but not invariably, reflected in their responses to these measures. Thus, purely qualitative methodologies alone cannot provide completely reliable information and point to the need to use a "mixed methods" approach combining both qualitative and quantitative data; (2) the lack of association between pain intensity measures and interference with activities of daily living, as well as relative insensitivity to different etiologies underlines the problem in relying on pain intensity measures as the primary means of evaluating the success of a treatment, either for pain management or in clinical research.
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Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) are a costly health burden. The condition is characterised by sensory disturbances such as widespread hyperalgesia likely indicative of central hyperexcitability. Recently elevated levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers have also found in acute and chronic WAD. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and pain processing in people with persistent whiplash associated disorders (WAD). ⋯ The results highlight cold pain processing as an important aspect of whiplash chronicity, although the implications of this modality-specific effect are not readily apparent.
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To provide effective and accurate radiotherapy (RT) for advanced cancer patients who experience breakthrough pain (BP) due to positioning manoeuvres, through the use of FPNS. Secondary endpoints were the dose and time required to achieve a 50% numeric rating scale (NRS) reduction and conduction of a pharmacoeconomic analysis. ⋯ Certain necessary RT procedures in advanced cancer patients can cause severe BP episodes. A simple, safe, fast acting and strong analgesic is needed. FPNS is a rapidly absorbed opioid analgesic with a pain relief profile that would be particularly well suited for this patient population. By reducing BP, the drug enables the completion of necessary RT procedures without needless patient discomfort. When BP is attenuated, Department productivity is maintained and unnecessary delays are avoided. Further studies and clinical trials are needed to assess therapeutic FPNS dosages with a view to defining efficacy in the correct clinical context.