Articles: neuralgia.
-
Neuropathic pain is a common condition experienced by older adults. Prevalence estimates of neuropathic pain and descriptive data of pharmacologic management among nursing home residents are unavailable. We estimated the prevalence of neuropathic pain diagnoses and described the use of pain medications among nursing home residents with possible neuropathic pain. ⋯ Resident characteristics associated with lack of medications included advanced age, dependency in activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, and diagnoses of comorbid conditions. A diagnosis of neuropathic pain is common among nursing home residents, yet many lack pharmacologic treatment for their pain. Future epidemiologic studies can help develop a more standard approach to identifying and managing neuropathic pain among nursing home residents.
-
P2X7 receptor antagonists have potential for treating various central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including neuropathic pain, although none have been approved for clinical use. Reasons may include insufficient understanding of P2X7 receptor signalling in pain, and the lack of a corresponding preclinical mechanistic biomarker. ⋯ Sub-optimal translation of preclinical molecules has hindered the clinical development of novel mechanism of action analgesics. We have undertaken a comprehensive in vitro analysis of migroglial signalling mechanisms recruited upon P2X7 receptor activation, a number of which were shown to be modulated by a selective P2X7 receptor antagonist in a well characterized animal model of neuropathic pain. Subject to further confirmation in other neuropathic models, this opens up the possibility to investigate their clinical utility as potential pain biomarkers in patients.
-
Verbascoside, a representative phenylethanoid glycoside, is widely distributed in plants and has various activities beneficial for human health. Although systemically administered verbascoside has an antinociceptive effect, little is known about the site and mechanism of its activity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether verbascoside attenuates neuropathic pain in the spinal cord and which pain regulatory systems are involved. ⋯ Currently available treatments for neuropathic pain have limited efficacy in most patients. Some natural products have favourable biological activities for long-term administration such as antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. Verbascoside inhibits spinal nociceptive transmission without serious side effects to the same degree as gabapentin, a first-line remedy for neuropathic pain. Natural products may be promising candidates for novel treatments of neuropathic pain.
-
Chronic neuropathic pain is a disabling condition that affects quality of life. Despite recommendations and guidelines, treatment remains suboptimal as it often does not result in significant symptom relief. Capsaicin 8% patch has been used for the treatment of several peripheral neuropathic pain etiologies with encouraging results. ⋯ Capsaicin 8% patch is a valuable option for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, providing a significant reduction in pain intensity and painful area. It is well tolerated and has a high treatment compliance.Ethics Committee Reference Number: 16/16//04/2021.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The Therapeutic Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency Alone Versus a Dexamethasone and Pulsed Radiofrequency Combination in Patients With Trigeminal Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the Gasserian ganglion is a common surgical intervention used to treat trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Dexamethasone has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory effects and potential analgesic benefits. ⋯ The therapeutic efficacy of PRF combined with a dexamethasone injection into the Gasserian ganglion was superior to that of PRF{and saline injection} alone of the Gasserian ganglion for trigeminal PHN.