Current pain and headache reports
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Deaths associated to tramadol, a synthetic opioid, are rising globally. Herein, we characterize prescription patterns of tramadol relative to other opioids in the USA from 2012 to 2015, by geographic region and physician specialty. ⋯ Data on opioid was obtained using Truven Health Analytics MarketScan for the years 2012-2015. Inclusion criteria included subjects living in the USA with ages from 12 to 64 years. Patterns of prescription of tramadol were contrasted with other prescription opioids including hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, methadone, and fentanyl. Between 2012 and 2015, prescriptions for tramadol increased by 22.8%. The absolute rate of prescription varies considerably per region, with tramadol representing nearly 20% of opioid prescriptions in the South, which, in turn, represents nearly 50% of all prescriptions in the USA. Significant differences were seen when comparing prescribers of tramadol with other opioids (p < 0.0001). Tramadol was more frequently prescribed by family practice (40% vs. 32%) and internal medicine physicians (19% vs. 16%). Family medicine, internal medicine, and non-physician prescribers responded by 67.2% of all tramadol prescriptions in 2015. The proportion of patients receiving tramadol from non-physician prescribers increased by 56% between 2012 and 2015 (p < 0.001) IOM. Tramadol prescriptions rates have continuously increased both nationally and throughout all US regions. Important differences exist among regions and physician specialties. These results may be helpful in the creation of regional policies to monitor reasons for this increase and to avoid excessive use of tramadol.
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Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating facial pain in the dermatomal distribution of the trigeminal nerve. TN is rare, affecting 4 to 13 people per 100,000. ⋯ Although there remains a debate surrounding the pathogenesis of TN, neurovascular compromise is the most currently accepted theory. Minimal stimulation caused by light touch, talking, or chewing can lead to debilitating pain and incapacitation of the patient. Pain may occur sporadically, though is primarily unilateral in onset. The diagnosis is typically determined clinically. Treatment options include medications, surgery, and complementary approaches. Anti-epileptic and tricyclic antidepressant medications are first-line treatments. Surgical management of patients with TN may be indicated in those who have either failed medical treatment with at least three medications, suffer from intolerable side-effects, or have non-remitting symptoms. Surgical treatment is categorized as either destructive or non-destructive. Deep brain and motor cortex neuro-modulatory stimulation are off label emerging techniques which may offer relief to TN that is otherwise refractory to pharmacological management and surgery. Still, sufficient data has yet to be obtained and more studies are needed.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2019
ReviewEnhancing Motivation for Change in the Management of Chronic Painful Conditions: a Review of Recent Literature.
The purpose of this review is to evaluate and summarize recent empirical research investigating motivational factors for management of chronic pain and headache disorders. ⋯ Research on motivation for non-pharmacological treatment of chronic pain and headache disorders has identified factors that influence initiation of and adherence to treatment. To address common factors that inhibit initiation of treatment (i.e., cost, time commitment), several electronic treatments have been developed. Self-efficacy is the most commonly studied psychosocial influence on treatment adherence, with evidence that it is positively correlated with adherence. Other studies have sought to improve adherence to treatment using motivational interviewing interventions. There is currently limited research on how to enhance motivation for initial adherence to non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain and headache disorders. Instead of enhancing motivation, researchers have looked to reduce barriers to treatment with electronic health treatments; however, many of these studies have focused on intervention feasibility, rather than efficacy or effectiveness. Numerous studies have identified a relationship between self-efficacy and treatment adherence. Although motivational interviewing interventions have been shown to improve adherence to treatment, there is little evidence that they improve treatment outcomes. Recommendations for further investigation include improving interventions to enhance accessibility and adherence to treatment with the goal of improving outcomes, as well as identifying ways to improve treatment initiation and adherence in patients who are currently engaged in long-term opioid therapy.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2019
ReviewUtilization Patterns of Facet Joint Interventions in Managing Spinal Pain: a Retrospective Cohort Study in the US Fee-for-Service Medicare Population.
To assess patterns of utilization and variables of facet joint interventions in managing chronic spinal pain in a fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare population from 2009 to 2016, with a comparative analysis from 2000 to 2009 and 2009 to 2016. ⋯ From 2009 to 2016, facet joint interventions increased at an annual rate of 2% per 100,000 Medicare population compared to 10.2% annual rate of increase from 2000 to 2009. Lumbosacral facet joint nerve block episodes decreased at an annual rate of 0.1% from 2009 to 2016, with an increase of 16.2% from 2000 to 2009. In contrast, lumbosacral facet joint neurolysis episodes increased at an annual rate of 7.6% from 2009 to 2016 and the utilization rate also increased at an annual rate of 26% from 2000 to 2009. The ratio of lumbar facet joint block episodes to lumbosacral facet joint neurolysis episodes changed from 6.7 in 2000 to 2.2 in 2016. From 2009 to 2016, cervical and thoracic facet joint injections increased at an annual rate of 0.6% compared to cervicothoracic facet neurolysis episodes of 9.2%. During 2000 to 2009, annual increase of cervical facet joint injections was 18% compared to neurolysis procedures of 26%. The ratio of cervical facet joint injections episodes to neurolysis episodes changed from 8.85 in 2000 to 2.8 in 2016. In summary, based on available data, utilization patterns of facet joint interventions demonstrated an increase of 2% per 100,000 Medicare population from 2009 to 2016, with an annual decline of lumbar facet joint injection episodes.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2019
ReviewRecent Advances in the Understanding and Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a Comprehensive Review.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy that involves the compression of the median nerve at the wrist and is considered the most common of all focal entrapment mononeuropathies. CTS makes up 90% of all entrapment neuropathies diagnosed in the USA and affects millions of Americans. ⋯ Age and gender likely play a role in the development of CTS, but additional studies may further elucidate these associations. Of known associated risk factors, diabetes mellitus seems to have the greatest association with CTS. One of the most commonly reported symptoms in CTS is a "pins-and-needles" sensation in the first three fingers and nocturnal burning pain that is relieved with activity upon waking. Treatment for CTS is variable depending on the severity of symptoms. Conservative management of CTS is usually considered first-line therapy. In cases of severe sensory or motor deficit, injection therapy or ultimately surgery may then be considered. Still CTS is often difficult to treat and may be reoccurring. Novel treatment modalities such as laser and shockwave therapy have demonstrated variable efficacy though further studies are needed to assess for safety and effect. Given the unknown and potentially complex etiology of CTS, further studies are needed to explore combinations of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.