Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
-
This study's objective was to systematically review the literature to assess analgesic outcomes of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen for acute postoperative pain in adults. ⋯ In aggregate, these data indicate that IV acetaminophen is an effective analgesic across a variety of surgical procedures.
-
Despite increasing numbers of Hispanic patients in the United States, this group continues to face disparities in access and quality of pain treatment. Although previous surveys have examined treatment disparities experienced by minority patients, none have provided a provider-centric perspective on issues and concerns surrounding pain relief among pain patients of Hispanic/Latino origin. ⋯ One hundred eighty-seven health professionals completed an online survey. The major findings indicated that: (1) less than 20% of health professionals treating Hispanic pain patients reported Spanish proficiency at an advanced level; (2) surveyed health professionals were involved treating a significant proportion of Hispanic patients in their caseloads, but reported a lack of cultural competence training; (3) Spanish fluency and experience with Hispanic pain patients exerts a strong effect on the use of established pain treatment practices; (4) providers with greater Spanish fluency report a significantly greater effect of patients' cultural beliefs and attitudes on treatment; and (5) providers did not regard cultural or language barriers as significantly impacting opioid prescribing or patient compliance.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparative subjective assessment study of PENNSAID® and Voltaren Gel®, two topical formulations of diclofenac sodium.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease that is debilitating for many individuals. While oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain a common and effective treatment approach to managing OA, concerns over cardiovascular and gastrointestinal adverse events can potentially limit their use. Various formulations of topical NSAIDs have been shown to provide effective localized treatment with minimal adverse events. ⋯ Overall, each drug's application was well tolerated and no adverse events were reported. Results of the patient preference survey demonstrated that topical diclofenac solution with DMSO had a number of characteristics that were rated significantly better than for diclofenac sodium gel. Mean subjective responses to topical diclofenac solution with DMSO were also more favorable for most items in the questionnaire, and more subjects preferred or highly preferred topical diclofenac solution with DMSO over diclofenac sodium gel.
-
Chronic pain affects a substantial part of the population, and conveys a huge economic cost to society. Owing to its prevalence and adverse impact, it is of particular interest to clinicians, patients, and the pharmaceutical industry. Conversely, the effects of pain on sleep, sleep on pain, and opioid analgesics on sleep represent a large gap in our understanding, even though pain and sleep are closely linked, inter-related conditions. ⋯ The effects of opioids vary according to their formulation and duration of action, and have diverse effects on sleep processes. Despite the prevalence of this problem, there is a surprising paucity of data on the effects of opioids on sleep. This review attempts to summarize the links between pain and sleep, and to look at the studies with opioid analgesics, particularly those with extended-release formulations, that have investigated the effects of opioid analgesics on sleep.
-
(1) Determine and compare prevalence of forms of anger (FOA; anger, hostility, aggression, anger-in, anger-out, chronic anger) in community nonpatients (n=478), community patients (n=158), acute pain patients (APPs; n=326), chronic pain patients (CPPs; n=341); and (2) develop FOA predictor models in APPs and CPPs. ⋯ According to the results of this study anger and chronic anger are more frequently found in CPPs vs. community patients supporting the clinical perception that many CPPs are angry. As such,clinicians should actively screen CPPs for the presence of anger in order to engage these CPPs in anger management treatment.