Articles: analgesics.
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Poorly controlled acute postsurgical pain is associated with delayed recovery, chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), chronic opioid use and impaired functioning in daily activities. The aim was to determine the effectiveness of a transitional pain service (TPS) to improve quality of recovery for patients at risk of CPSP. We hypothesized that a TPS improves the quality of recovery in patients at risk of CPSP. ⋯ TPS did not significantly affect short-term quality of recovery but might improve long-term outcomes, such as the incidence of chronic pain, opioid consumption, and functioning in daily life. However, sample size in the present study was too small to provide solid evidence for this positive signal.
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There are previously published data on the per capita use of analgesics in Germany, but only to 2005. In the present analysis, data for the years 2008-2019 were evaluated. The use of prescription and nonprescription analgesics was investigated and possible influencing factors were discussed. ⋯ The use of nonprescription analgesics in Germany decreased between 2008 and 2019. The trend as of 1995, which was observed in a previous investigation, is therefore continuing. External factors, such as the increase in advertising expenses or easier access via mail-order pharmacies, do not appear to influence use.
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Neuropathic pain (NP) is defined as constant disabling pain secondary to a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. This condition is particularly difficult to treat because it often remains resistant to most treatment strategies. Despite the recent diversification of neurostimulation methods, some patients still suffer from refractory pain syndromes. The central role of the posterior insular cortex (PI) in the modulation of pain signaling and perception has been repeatedly suggested. The objective of this study is to assess whether epidural insular stimulation (IS) could reverse NP behavior. ⋯ These results suggest a significant reversal of NP symptoms after LF-IS and offer additional evidence that IS might be beneficial in the treatment of resistant NP syndromes through endogenous opioid secretion. Relying on our novel epidural IS model, further fine tuning of stimulation parameters might be necessary to achieve optimal therapeutic effects.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2023
Comment Observational StudyOpioid poisoning in Newcastle over the last three decades: From heroin to prescription opioids.
Opioid-related harm has risen in recent decades, but limited research describes the clinical burden of opioid poisoning to Australian EDs. We aimed to investigate hospital presentations with opioid poisoning over three decades. ⋯ Opioid presentations increased in number and severity over three decades as the type of opioid changed. Oxycodone is currently the main opioid of concern. Methadone poisoning was the most severe.