Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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A potential association might exist between atherosclerosis and migraine. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a marker of generalized atherosclerosis; hence, we aimed to assess CIMT in migraine patients. This study included 30 patients and 60 healthy controls aged between 20 and 40 years. ⋯ There is a relationship between atherosclerosis and inflammation in migraine patients. The risk of cranial inflammatory arteriopathy increases in repeated attacks of migraine. Our study also supports that high number of attacks and attack duration are important in the development of atherosclerosis.
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The majority of patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy report multiple symptoms. Compelling evidence has shown that subgroups of patients can be clustered by the severity of symptoms. Recent studies demonstrate that chemotherapy with such substances as paclitaxel can cause neuropathic pain (CINP) and consequently neural damage. ⋯ the present study examined the relationship between symptom clusters and CINP among 40 patients with breast cancer. The study was based on 2 sessions conducted before and during paclitaxel treatment. In each session, neuropathic pain was assessed by the DN4 Questionnaire. In the second session, the Lee Fatigue Scale, the General Sleep Disturbance Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale were also administered, and the worst pain intensity was assessed. Using cluster analysis, 2 symptom clusters were identified on the basis of the severity of the 4 symptoms scores. Patients in the High Cluster (37%) experienced a high level of all symptoms, whereas patients in the Low Cluster (63%) experienced a low level of all symptoms. Twenty patients (50%) were diagnosed with CINP. A subgroup of patients (23%) from the High Cluster was identified as having CINP; 35% were in the Low Cluster and free of CINP. In conclusion, there appears to be a specific subgroup of patients with hypersensitive cancer who need greater attention to symptom management. Early detection of symptoms, together with careful dose selection and assessment of early stages in the development of neuropathic pain, are essential for preventing the simultaneous occurrence of severe multiple symptoms and CINP.
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Case Reports
Yoga spinal flexion positions and vertebral compression fracture in osteopenia or osteoporosis of spine: case series.
The objective of this report is to raise awareness of the effect of strenuous yoga flexion exercises on osteopenic or osteoporotic spines. We previously described subjects with known osteoporosis in whom vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) developed after spinal flexion exercise (SFE) and recommended that SFEs not be prescribed in patients with spinal osteoporosis. ⋯ The development of pain and complications with some flexion yoga positions in the patients with osteopenia leads to concern that fracture risk would increase even further in osteoporosis. Although exercise has been shown to be effective for improving bone mineral density and decreasing fracture risk, our subjects had development of VCFs and neck and back pain with yoga exercises. This finding suggests that factors other than bone mass should be considered for exercise counseling in patients with bone loss. The increased torque pressure applied to vertebral bodies during SFEs may be a risk. Exercise is effective and important for treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis and should be prescribed for patients with vertebral bone loss. Some yoga positions can contribute to extreme strain on spines with bone loss. Assessment of fracture risk in older persons performing SFEs and other high-impact exercises is an important clinical consideration.
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The literature contains numerous studies on the diagnosis, pathogenesis, atypical locations, and clinical (hormonal) and surgical management of the disorder. However, no information is available on the management of endometriosis involving pain refractory to the usual treatment from the perspective of a pain unit. Our hospital has a pain unit specifically dedicated to pain in gynecology and obstetrics. ⋯ Endometriosis is present in 48% of all patients with CPP and is the most prevalent pathology in our practice. It moreover poses an important challenge in view of its enormous complexity. A descriptive study was made of the management of 44 patients with endometriosis refractory to therapy, evaluated and treated over a period of 3 years in the Pain Unit of the Maternity Center of La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain).
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Editorial Comment
Pelvic pain: mechanistically enigmatic, therapeutically challenging.