Current pain and headache reports
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2025
ReviewThe Impact of Racial and Low Socioeconomic Status on the Implementation of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain in the United States.
This study aims to review the societal, economic, and racial factors that impact the usage of spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain. Our working hypothesis is that patients of ethnic minority groups or of lower socioeconomic status (SES) status may have lower implantation rates and usage of spinal cord stimulation (SCS). ⋯ White patients are recipients of SCS earlier and more frequently than minority patients in the outpatient setting. There is mixed evidence regarding inpatient SCS and how household income relates to SCS usage. Insurance type and coverage may be more accurately predictive than simple household income for SCS utilization.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2025
ReviewNeuroimage Signature in Post-Stroke Pain: A Systematic Review.
Central Post-Stroke Pain (CPSP) is a debilitating condition with a significant prevalence in stroke survivors. Set apart by its refractory to treatment neuropathic pain, it appears to arise from lesions in the spino-thalamo-cortical pathways, particularly in the thalamus. Despite advances in neuroimaging techniques, the pathophysiology of CPSP remains poorly understood, with limited diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approaches. ⋯ Neuroimaging findings confirm the significance of thalamic and spinothalamic pathway lesions in CPSP pathophysiology. Despite these insights, gaps in research underline the need for larger, multicenter trials to identify reliable biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targets. Advanced neuroimaging combined with machine learning could be the key to understanding and managing CPSP.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2025
Review Meta AnalysisAssociation of ESR1 Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Migraine: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.
Migraine is a highly prevalent and incapacitating neurological disorder mostly characterised by recurring attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head. The role of estrogen in migraine has been well documented. Although genetic variations in the ESR1 gene have been associated with an increased risk of developing migraine, the findings are inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis of previously published articles considering four important single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ESR1 gene (rs1801132, rs2228480, rs2234693, and rs9340799) to explore their possible association with the development of migraine and its clinical phenotypes. ⋯ ESR1 variants (rs2228480, rs2234693, and rs9340799) are associated with an increased risk of migraine and related phenotypes. However, further studies are needed to establish a definitive conclusion.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2025
ReviewAnxiety Disorders, Anxious Symptomology and Related Behaviors Associated With Migraine: A Narrative Review of Prevalence and Impact.
The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the relationship between migraine, anxiety and related disorders, anxious symptomology and related behaviors. ⋯ Generalized anxiety, other anxious disorders and migraine are comorbid. In addition, anxious symptomology and behaviors are common in people with migraine even if they do not meet diagnostic criteria or threshold. Anxiety including diagnosed disorders such as generalized anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, as well as behaviors such as catastrophizing, avoidance behaviors, and higher fear of headache/migraine or anxiety sensitivity are comorbid and/or common in migraine. Anxiety is associated with negative outcomes such as migraine progression, medication overuse, stigma and migraine-related disability. The association between migraine, anxiety, and fear and avoidance behaviors has an extensive empirical basis. Awareness of the high prevalence of comorbidity and symptomology as well as the negative outcomes associated with anxiety and related symptoms and behaviors is important in the comprehensive management of people with migraine. Better understanding the relationship between migraine and anxiety symptoms and behaviors and their effects on outcomes is essential to provide more effective treatment for people with migraine. The review emphasizes the necessity of screening and more comprehensive evaluation in patients with migraine using psychological diagnostic tools. Thus, prevention and management of anxiety, fear, and anxiety-related behaviors in the context of migraine management may be considered an essential treatment goal and strategies may include non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2025
ReviewPain and Headache in Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease.
The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current knowledge and recent findings on different pain and headache presentations associated with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) disease. ⋯ MOGAD is an inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting mostly the central nervous system, presenting with optic neuritis, transverse myelitis and other forms of inflammatory demyelination. Pain and headache in MOGAD have been recognized more recently and acute and chronic forms of pain can occur in both the adult and pediatric population. An important recent observation is that MOGAD can affect the peripheral nervous system, which can contribute to pain symptoms. Acute and chronic forms of pain have been described in MOGAD, including ocular pain, different types of headaches and neuropathies, involving the central and peripheral nervous system. Awareness of these types of pain in both the pediatric and adult population is crucial, to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.