Articles: pain-measurement.
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Multicenter Study
Concurrent Validity of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale in VA Outpatients.
The purpose of this report is to investigate the concurrent validity of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) with other validated self-report measures in U.S. veterans. ⋯ These findings provide preliminary evidence for the concurrent validity of the DVPRS as a brief, multidimensional measure of pain interference that make it a practical tool for use in primary care settings to assess the impact of pain on daily functioning and monitor chronic pain over time.
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Cancer pain is prevalent, undertreated, and feared by patients with cancer. In April 2013, a panel of pain experts convened in Singapore to address the treatment of cancer pain. They discussed the various types of cancer pain, including breakthrough pain, which is sometimes clinically confused with analgesic gaps. ⋯ Specific pain therapy guidelines for those populations are reviewed. Patients with cancer with a history of or active substance abuse disorder deserve pain control but may require close medical supervision. While much "treatment inertia" exists in cancer pain control, cancer pain can be safely and effectively managed and should be carried out to alleviate suffering and improve outcomes.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialNitrous Oxide for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain.
Neuropathic back pain is mediated, at least partially, by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an NMDA receptor antagonist. We therefore tested the primary hypothesis that patients receiving N2O have lower pain scores after epidural steroid injection than patients not receiving N2O. ⋯ N2O administration did not improve pain or psychological or physical aspects of health-related quality of life. N2O does not appear to be an effective treatment for chronic neuropathic back pain.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Nov 2015
Review Comparative StudyHidradenitis suppurativa in the pediatric population.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) generally appears after puberty, is infrequently seen in younger children, and early onset, which is associated with more widespread disease, is more common in children with a positive family history of HS. When compared with adults with HS, children with HS are more likely to have hormonal imbalances, making hormonal investigations integral to disease management in pediatric patients. HS affects intertriginous areas, presenting with double-ended comedones, tender subcutaneous nodules, purulent discharge, and the formation of sinus tracts, hypertrophic fibrotic scars, and dermal contractures. ⋯ Modalities like biologic agents, laser therapy, or surgery have been reserved for severe pediatric cases of HS. Early recognition and treatment are critical to minimize the effects of the disease on the life course. Given the significant impact of the condition on quality of life and self-esteem, there is a clear role for psychological support.
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Encouraging individuals with chronic pain to focus on nonpain-related goals that are consistent with personal values is a goal of most psychosocial pain interventions. A valid and reliable measure of goal-related variables would be useful to evaluate the importance of these to patient quality of life and as factors that may explain treatment outcome. ⋯ The VLS items can be administered and scored to assess: 1) the importance of as well as 2) confidence in and 3) success in achieving values-consistent goals. The measure can be used by clinicians to monitor and track changes in patient's perceptions about their goals with treatment. Researchers can use the VLS to test theoretical models of the roles that patient perceptions about goal importance, confidence, and success play in chronic pain treatment outcome.