Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Microvascular decompression (MVD), radiofrequency rhizotomy (RFR), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are surgical techniques frequently used in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN), although the results reported for each of these are diverse. ⋯ Concerning pain control and risk of pain recurrence, MVD is superior to RFR and SRS, but not in terms of quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and safety profile.
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The immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroid (CS) injections have come under more scrutiny during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the study was to explore any relationship between joint/epidural CS injection and SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity. ⋯ The study was not conclusive on the effect of joint or epidural CS injection on SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rate, although adjusted analysis suggests higher 3-month SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rate after CS injection in patients with severe comorbidities with significant disease burden when compared to controls.
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There is growing evidence supporting the role of inflammatory mechanisms in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Corticoids, as most effective anti-inflammatory drugs, are widely used in treating inflammation. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the efficacy of oral corticoid treatment in CRPS patients. ⋯ Corticoid treatment was effective in more than half of the patients. With only mild side effects reported the treatment also appears to be relatively safe. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of corticoids in treating (early) CRPS, preferably in an intervention study.
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Controversy exists with the presence of alterations in descending pain inhibition mechanisms in patients with non-specific neck pain (NSNP). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of conditioned pain modulation CPM, remote pressure pain thresholds (PPT), and psychological factors in a specific subgroup of patients with NSNP such as young adult students. In addition, possible associations between CPM, psychological factors, and pain characteristics were analyzed. ⋯ Young adult students with chronic or recurrent NSNP present remote hyperalgesia and symptoms of depression and anxiety but not dysfunctional CPM.
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The impact of benzodiazepine use on mortality in patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) has not been identified. We aimed to examine the factors associated with benzodiazepine use among patients with CNCP and examine whether long-term benzodiazepine usage is associated with mortality in patients with CNCP. ⋯ Benzodiazepine was prescribed to 2.1% of the patients with CNCP in South Korea from 2010 to 2019. Old age, increased CCI, underlying psychiatric comorbidities, and use of certain drugs are associated with increased use of benzodiazepines. In addition, benzodiazepine use is associated with 10-year all-cause mortality in patients with CNCP.