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The suppression of spinal F-waves by propofol does not predict immobility to painful stimuli in humans{dagger}.
Baars JH, Tas S, Herold KF, Hadzidiakos DA, Rehberg B.
Department of Anaesthesiology, Charite Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany. jan.baars@charite.de
BACKGROUND: The immobilizing effects of volatile anaesthetics are primarily mediated at the spinal level. A suppression of recurrent spinal responses (F-waves), which reflect spinal excitability, has been shown for propofol. We have assessed the concentration-dependent F-wave suppression by propofol and related it to the logistic regression curve for suppression of movement to noxious stimuli and the effect on the bispectral index (BIS). The predictive power of drug effects on F-waves and BIS for movement responses to noxious stimuli was tested. METHODS: In 24 patients anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol infused by a target controlled infusion pump at stepwise increasing and decreasing plasma concentrations between 0.5 and 4.5 mg litre(-1). The F-waves of the abductor hallucis muscle were recorded at a frequency of 0.2 Hz. BIS values were recorded continuously. Calculated propofol concentrations and F-wave amplitude and persistence were analyzed in terms of a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model with a simple sigmoid concentration-response function. Motor responses to tetanic electrical stimulation (50 Hz, 60 mA, 5 s, volar forearm) were tested and the EC(50tetanus) was calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: For slowly increasing propofol concentrations, computer fits of the PK/PD model for the suppression by propofol yielded a median EC50 of 1.26 (0.4-2.3) and 1.9 (1.0-2.8) mg litre(-1) for the F-wave amplitude and persistence, respectively. These values are far lower than the calculated EC(50) for noxious electrical stimulation of 3.75 mg litre(-1). This difference results in a poor prediction probability of movement to noxious stimuli of 0.59 for the F-wave amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: F-waves are almost completely suppressed at subclinical propofol concentrations and they are therefore not suitable for prediction of motor responses to noxious stimuli under propofol mono-anaesthesia.
PMID: 16317030 [PubMed - in process]
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Effects of three different dose regimens of magnesium on propofol requirements, haemodynamic variables and postoperative pain relief in gynaecological surgery.
Seyhan TO, Tugrul M, Sungur MO, Kayacan S, Telci L, Pembeci K, Akpir K.
Department of Anaesthesiology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey.
BACKGROUND: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study we compared the effects of three different dose regimens of magnesium on intraoperative propofol and atracurium requirements, and postoperative morphine consumption in patients undergoing gynaecological surgery. METHODS: Eighty women were allocated to four equal groups. The control group received normal saline; magnesium groups received 40 mg kg(-1) of magnesium before induction of anaesthesia, followed by i.v. infusion of normal saline, magnesium 10 mg kg(-1) h(-1) or magnesium 20 mg kg(-1) h(-1) for the next 4 h. Propofol infusion was targeted to keep bispectral index values between 45 and 55. Postoperative analgesia was achieved using PCA with morphine. RESULTS: Magnesium groups required significantly less propofol [mean (sd) 121.5 (13.3), 102.2 (8.0) and 101.3 (9.7) mug kg(-1) min(-1) respectively] than the control group (140.7 (16.5) mug kg(-1) min(-1)). Atracurium use was significantly higher in the control group than magnesium groups [0.4 (0.06) vs 0.34 (0.06), 0.35 (0.04), 0.34 (0.06) mg kg(-1) h(-1) respectively]. Morphine consumption was significantly higher in control group than magnesium groups on the first postoperative day [0.88 (0.14) vs 0.73 (0.17), 0.59 (0.23), 0.53 (0.21) mg kg(-1) respectively]. The heart rate was lower in magnesium groups and 20 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion group demonstrated the lowest values. CONCLUSION: Magnesium 40 mg kg(-1) bolus followed by 10 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion leads to significant reductions in intraoperative propofol, atracurium and postoperative morphine consumption. Increasing magnesium dosage did not offer any advantages, but induced haemodynamic consequences.
PMID: 16311277 [PubMed - in process]
Training medical students to manage a chronic pain patient: both knowledge and communication skills are needed.
Leila NM, Pirkko H, Eeva P, Eija K, Reino P.
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Meilahti Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, POB 340, FIN-00029 HUS, Finland; Research and Development Unit for Medical Education, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Most studies concerning pain education of undergraduate medical students focus on knowledge, but little is known about the interviewing skills and pain evaluation. At the end of the fifth study year and at the beginning of the sixth year the students were asked to answer an electronical questionnaire to evaluate how the IASP curriculum on pain had been covered during the studies. In addition, the interviewing skills of the fifth year medical students were assessed using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The students met a standardized patient suffering from postherpetic neuralgia, who was instructed to express depressive and exhausted feelings. A total of 97 students received the questionnaire and 35% responded with identification. All students answering the IASP questionnaire evaluated teaching of postherpetic pain and antidepressant treatment as sufficient. OSCE appeared as a feasible instrument in the assessment of chronic pain education. Eighty-eight percent of the students made the correct diagnosis. However, only 35% asked about sleep disturbances and 16% about depression. When developing a curriculum on pain education, attention should be paid to pedagogic methods about helping the students to implement the learned knowledge in their practice. Formative assessment of both knowledge and skills is essential for the development of a functional pain curriculum.
PMID: 16310721 [PubMed - in process]
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Chronic pain and reduced work effectiveness: The hidden cost to Australian employers.
van Leeuwen MT, Blyth FM, March LM, Nicholas MK, Cousins MJ.
Pain Management and Research Institute, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
Cost estimates of the impact of chronic pain on work have largely focussed on absenteeism, excluding the hidden contribution of reduced work effectiveness to lost productivity. This paper aims to estimate the cost of lost productivity due to chronic pain in Australia, not only in terms of absenteeism but also reduced work effectiveness. Data on chronic pain in Australia and its impact on work were obtained from the 1997 New South Wales Health Survey (n=17,543) and the Northern Sydney Area Pain Study (n=2,092), both of which were population-based and used random-digit dialling sampling methods. This was combined with relevant Australian population and labour force data obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. From this we estimated annual lost productivity costs arising from both chronic pain-related days absent and 'reduced-effectiveness workdays'. There were estimated to be 9.9 million workdays absent due to chronic pain annually in Australia, equating to a cost of AUD 1.4 billion per annum. Under the assumption that reduced-effectiveness workdays affect productivity costs in the same way as lost work days, the total number of lost workday equivalents was 36.5 million, with the total annual cost of lost productivity due to chronic pain estimated as AUD 5.1 billion per annum. In conclusion, while the impact of reduced work effectiveness on days worked with pain on productivity is uncertain, it has the potential to account for the majority of lost productivity costs associated with chronic pain. Interventions which target working despite pain have the potential to significantly reduce lost productivity costs due to chronic pain.
PMID: 16310720 [PubMed - in process]
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Opioid-induced or pain relief-reduced symptoms in advanced cancer patients?
Mercadante S, Villari P, Ferrera P, Casuccio A.
Anesthesia & Intensive Care Unit and Pain Relief & Palliative Care Unit La Maddalena Cancer Center, Via San Lorenzo Colli 312, 90146 Palermo, Italy; Intensive Care and Emergency, Universita di Palermo, Italy.
BACKGROUND: While opioids in increasing doses may produce adverse effects, the same adverse effects may be associated with poor pain control. Moreover, in the clinical setting symptomatic treatment and illness may balance the outcome of opioid titration. Some adverse effects may tend to disappear continuing the treatment in a long-term period. AIMS: The aim of this study was to monitor the effects of a rapid opioid titration combined with symptomatic treatment in patients with poor relief and to monitor these changes in the following period of 20days. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 35 patients admitted to an acute Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit were titrated with opioids, according to a department policy, allowing administration of parenteral opioids to assist opioid titration with oral or transdermal opioids. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were followed up for the period of the study. Pain was adequately controlled and doses were opioid doses were stable after a mean of 40h. Opioid escalation index (OEI) was extremely high initially, and then progressively declined at the following study intervals. Weakness and nausea and vomiting did not change, as well as confusion and appetite. Drowsiness, constipation and dry mouth significantly increased and then did not change, although a significant decrease in drowsiness was subsequently observed. Well-being improved some weeks after opioid stabilization. In multivariate analysis, drowsiness and dry mouth were correlated to opioid doses. CONCLUSION: The effects reported were often due to multiple causes. A rapid decrease in pain intensity induced by rapid opioid titration does not produce changes in weakness, nausea and vomiting, appetite. While constipation appears the most relevant problem, resistant to common symptomatic treatment, drowsiness initially produced by acute opioid dose increase and the achievement of pain relief, tends to spontaneously decrease, probably as the result of late tolerance. Improved well-being may be the late positive effect of pain relief, also influenced by the setting of home care.
PMID: 16310719 [PubMed - in process]
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Return to work after comparing outpatient multidisciplinary treatment programs versus treatment in general practice for patients with chronic widespread pain.
Skouen JS, Grasdal A, Haldorsen EM.
Outpatient Spine Clinic, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway; Section for Physiotherapy Science, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
Former studies have questioned the quality and effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for working-age adults with fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain (CWP). High-quality trials are needed, and return to work should also be included as an outcome variable. This randomized study evaluated the return-to-work outcome of an extensive and a light multidisciplinary treatment program combining cognitive strategies and exercise versus treatment-as-usual initiated by a general practitioner, for CWP patients. The patients (n=208), on sick leave for 3 months on average, were randomized to the extensive program including group sessions, a light and more individual program, and to treatment-as-usual. The number of days absent from work and full return to work were used as an outcome, and follow-up lasted 54 months after the programs ended. The regression analysis showed that the extensive program was associated with significantly fewer days absent from work among women. For women, the mean effect of extensive treatment versus treatment-as-usual on total number of days absent from work was estimated to -206.95 days. Among men, the light program was associated with significantly more days absent from work compared to treatment-as-usual. Both among men and women, independent of type of treatment, patients with poorer health (poor prognosis) were absent from work more days than patients with good prognosis. In our sample, higher age significantly increased the number of days absent from work, but only for women. The extensive outpatient multidisciplinary treatment program was effective in returning women to work.
PMID: 16310718 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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The burden of neuropathic pain: results from a cross-sectional survey.
McDermott AM, Toelle TR, Rowbotham DJ, Schaefer CP, Dukes EM.
Covance Health Economics and Outcomes Services Inc., 9801 Washington Boulevard, Ninth Floor, Gaithersburg, MO 20878, USA.
BACKGROUND: There are few published data on the treatment patterns and burden of neuropathic pain. We have investigated this in a large, observational, cross-sectional survey. METHODS: We surveyed 602 patients with neuropathic pain recruited from general practitioners in six European countries. Physicians recorded demographic and treatment information, including prescription medications. Patients completed Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) severity and interference questions, the EuroQol (EQ-5D), and questions about their productivity, non-prescription treatments, and frequency of physician visits. The BPI Pain Severity score (range: 0-10) is the mean of worst, least, average, and current pain ratings, with scores of 4-6 and 7-10 considered moderate and severe, respectively. We evaluated the impact of pain severity on functioning using analysis of variance models and chi(2) tests. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age was 62.9 (14.4) years (50% female). Most patients reported moderate (54%) or severe (25%) pain. Nearly all patients (93%) were prescribed medications for their neuropathic pain: analgesics (71%); anti-epileptics (51%); antidepressants (29%); sedatives/hypnotics (15%). Seventy-six percent visited their physician at least once in the past month. Employment status was affected in 43% of patients; those employed missed a mean (SD) of 5.5 (9.8) workdays during the past month. Pain severity was associated significantly (P<0.001) with poorer EQ-5D scores (mild=0.67, moderate=0.46, severe=0.16), greater disruption of employment status (mild=24%, moderate=48%, severe=54%), and more frequent physician visits (% with one or more visits: mild=66%, moderate=79%, severe=83%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with neuropathic pain visit their physician frequently and report substantial pain that interferes with daily functioning despite receiving treatment.
PMID: 16310716 [PubMed - in process]
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Classification of patients with whiplash associated disorders (WAD): Reliable and valid subgroups based on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI-S).
Soderlund A, Denison E.
Department of Public Health and Caring Science/Section of Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala Science Park, S-75 183 Uppsala, Sweden.
BACKGROUND: Classification of patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD) into homogenous subgroups is an important objective in order to tailor interventions and to control for subgroup differences when evaluating treatment outcome. AIMS: The aims of this study were to investigate if it was possible to replicate and describe the three cluster solution and profiles found in other pain groups and describe cluster profiles based on self-reported Multidimensional Pain Inventory-scores for patients with WAD three months after the injury, describe characteristics of the clusters in relation to disability, self-efficacy and coping at the same point in time and to validate the cluster solution by comparing clusters in disability, self-efficacy and coping over time. METHODS: Ninety-one WAD-patients three months after the accident took part in the study. The measures used were the Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Swedish version (MPI-S), The Self-Efficacy Scale, The Coping Strategies Questionnaire and The Pain Disability Index. Cluster analysis was conducted for the total sample MPI-S subscale scores. RESULTS: The adaptive copers cluster represented 42% of the sample, dysfunctional 34% of the sample, and interpersonally distressed 24% of the sample. The external validation of cluster solution showed that there were several significant differences between clusters in self-efficacy, disability and coping measures. There was also a significant interaction effect (clusterxtime) in disability (PDI). Patients in dysfunctional cluster reported a decreased disability over time. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the presence of different subgroups among patients with whiplash associated disorders. This classification can be seen as a complement to a classification based on medical condition.
PMID: 16310714 [PubMed - in process]
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Can personality traits and gender predict the response to morphine? An experimental cold pain study.
Pud D, Yarnitsky D, Sprecher E, Rogowski Z, Adler R, Eisenberg E.
Pain Relief Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Haifa Pain Research Group, Haifa, Israel; Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel.
The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of personality traits, in accordance with Cloninger's theory, and gender, in the variability of responsiveness to opioids. Specifically, it was intended to test whether or not the three personality dimensions - harm avoidance (HA), reward dependence (RD) and novelty seeking (NS) - as suggested by Cloninger, can predict inter-personal differences in responsiveness to morphine after exposure to experimental cold pain. Thirty-four healthy volunteers (15 females, 19 males) were given the cold pressor test (CPT). Pain threshold, tolerance, and magnitude (VAS) were measured before and after (six measures, 30min apart) the administration of either 0.5mg/kg oral morphine sulphate (n=21) or 0.33mg/kg oral active placebo (diphenhydramine) (n=13) in a randomized, double blind design. Assessment of the three personality traits, according to Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire, was performed before the CPT. A high HA score (but not RD, NS, or baseline values of the three pain parameters) predicted a significantly larger pain relief following the administration of morphine sulphate (but not of the placebo). Women exhibited a larger response in response to both treatments, as indicated by a significantly increased threshold and tolerance following morphine sulphate as well as significantly increased tolerance and decreased magnitude following placebo administration. The present study confirms the existence of individual differences in response to analgesic treatment. It suggests that high HA personality trait is associated with better responsiveness to morphine treatment, and that females respond better than men to both morphine and placebo.
PMID: 16310713 [PubMed - in process]
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Spinal cord stimulation for complex regional pain syndrome: A systematic review of the clinical and cost-effectiveness literature and assessment of prognostic factors.
Taylor RS, Buyten JP, Buchser E.
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical and cost-effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the management of patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and identify the potential predictors of SCS outcome. DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature and meta-regression. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for controlled and uncontrolled studies and economic evaluations relating to the use of SCS in patients with either CRPS type I or II. RESULTS: One randomised controlled trial, 25 case series and one cost-effectiveness study were included. In the randomised controlled trial in type I CRPS patients, SCS therapy lead to a reduction in pain intensity at 24 months of follow-up (mean change in VAS score -2.0), whereas pain was unchanged in the control group (mean change in VAS score 0.0) (p<0.001). In the case series studies, 67% (95% CI 51%, 84%) of type I and type II CRPS patients implanted with SCS reported pain relief of at least 50% over a median follow-up period of 33 months. No statistically significant predictors of pain relief with SCS were observed in multivariate meta-regression analysis across studies. An economic analysis based on the randomised controlled trial showed a lifetime cost saving of approximately 58,470 (US$60,800) with SCS plus physical therapy compared with physical therapy alone. The mean cost per quality-adjusted life-year at 12-month follow-up was 22,580 (US$23,480). CONCLUSIONS: SCS appears to be an effective therapy in the management of patients with CRPS type I (Level A evidence) and type II (Level D evidence). Moreover, there is evidence to demonstrate that SCS is a cost-effective treatment for CRPS type I.
PMID: 16310712 [PubMed - in process]
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Cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist activity in the hindpaw incision model of postoperative pain.
LaBuda CJ, Koblish M, Little PJ.
Adolor Corporation, Department of Pharmacology, 700 Pennsylvania Drive, Exton, PA 19341, USA. clabuda@adolor.com
The identification of peripherally expressed CB2 receptors and reports that the selective activation of cannabinoid CB2 receptors produces antinociception without traditional cannabinergic side effects suggests that selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists might be useful in the management of pain. In a rat hindpaw incision model, we examined the antiallodynic activity of the selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists AM1241 (3-30 mg/kg i.p.), GW405833 (3-30 mg/kg i.p.), and HU-308 (0.3-30 mg/kg i.p.). The rank order for efficacy in the hindpaw incision model following a dose of 10 mg/kg, i.p. was AM1241 > GW405833 = HU-308, and the selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist, SR144528, reversed the antiallodynic effect of HU-308. Together, these data suggest that selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists might represent a new class of postoperative analgesics.
PMID: 16316653 [PubMed - in process]
Pediatric palliative care: relationships matter and so does pain control.
Solomon MZ, Browning D.
Publication Types:
PMID: 16314610 [PubMed - in process]
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Alternative treatments of breakthrough pain in patients receiving spinal analgesics for cancer pain.
Mercadante S, Arcuri E, Ferrera P, Villari P, Mangione S.
Anesthesia & Intensive Care Unit, Pain Relief & Palliative Care Unit, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo, Italy.
Patients who experience a poor response to different systemic opioid trials (oral and intravenous) are candidates for spinal treatment. Breakthrough pain occurring in this group of patients is challenging for physicians. This phenomenon has never been described in this context and the treatment is quite difficult, as patients already demonstrated a poor response to systemic opioids. We report a preliminary experience of alternative methods, including the intrathecal injection of local anesthetic boluses as needed, or alternatively, the use of sublingual ketamine. Twelve consecutive patients with advanced cancer and pain were selected for intrathecal treatment after receiving different trials with systemic opioids. During intrathecal therapy, pain flares not responding to high doses of intravenous morphine were treated with intrathecal boluses of local anesthetics titrated to achieve the best balance between analgesia and adverse effects, or with sublingual ketamine (25 mg), according to their preference. Pain and symptoms were recorded for each episode of breakthrough pain during hospital admission. Effective pain control was achieved in all the episodes treated within 10 minutes with either method, without relevant complications. A mean volume of 0.6 mL of levobupivacaine (LB) 0.25% (1.5 mg) was effective within a few minutes and was well tolerated in patients receiving a continuous intrathecal infusion of a combination of morphine and LB in different doses. Similarly, ketamine in doses of 25 mg sublingually was effective and relatively well tolerated. Despite the difficult clinical situation of these patients, these approaches controlled almost all breakthrough pain events previously unresponsive to relatively high doses of intravenous opioids. These intensive treatments should be reserved for a very selected population and initiated in an appropriate setting with frequent monitoring facilities and skilled nursing.
PMID: 16310622 [PubMed - in process]
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The impact of chronic pain on depression, sleep, and the desire to withdraw from dialysis in hemodialysis patients.
Davison SN, Jhangri GS.
Division of Nephrology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon with physical, psychological, and social components and is a significant problem for 50% of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Failure to treat pain adequately may lead to disruption in many aspects of life. This study examines the relationship between moderate to severe chronic pain and depression, insomnia, and the desire to withdraw from dialysis in HD patients. In a cross-sectional study of 205 Canadian HD patients, patients completed a questionnaire that included the Brief Pain Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. One hundred and three patients (50.2%) reported chronic pain and 85 (41.4%), moderate to severe pain. There was a higher prevalence of depression in patients with moderate or severe chronic pain compared to patients with mild or no pain (34.1% vs. 18.3%, odds ratio [OR]=2.31, P=0.01). Severe irritability, anxiousness, and inability to cope with stress were all more common in patients with pain compared to patients without pain (P<0.001). There was a higher prevalence of insomnia in patients with moderate or severe chronic pain compared to patients with mild or no pain (74.7% vs. 53.0%, OR=2.32, P=0.02). Although consideration of withdrawal from dialysis was significantly associated with moderate or severe pain compared to no or mild pain (46% vs. 16.7%, P<0.001), death due to withdrawal from dialysis was not. Chronic pain in HD patients is associated with depression and insomnia and may predispose patients to consider withdrawal of dialysis.
PMID: 16310620 [PubMed - in process]
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Cancer pain: voices of the Ojibway people.
Barkwell D.
Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Recognition of the integration of sensory dimensions of pain with cultural factors has the potential to improve the quality of the clinical encounter between those in pain and their health care providers. This qualitative study used a grounded theory approach to describe the conceptualization of cancer pain from 18 Ojibway patients, family caregivers, and healers/medicine men from a Reserve community and 13 health professionals (nurses and physicians) from a hospital adjacent to this Reserve. Results revealed that for Ojibway participants, cancer pain epitomized all that was most painful in life. Unlike health professionals, they described the properties of pain as a seamless intertwining of the dimensions of physical sensation, threatening cognitions, emotional, social and spiritual anguish, and intuitive sensing. These Ojibway voices on cancer pain remind us of the interrelatedness of culture in the construction of pain and caution us to broaden the restricted focus we bring to the clinical encounter.
PMID: 16310619 [PubMed - in process]
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Pain and use of complementary and alternative medicine in a national sample of persons living with HIV.
Tsao JC, Dobalian A, Myers CD, Zeltzer LK.
Pediatric Pain Program, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA.
The current study investigated the relationship of pain to use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a U.S. nationally representative sample of 2466 persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), using data from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study. Pain was conceptualized as a need characteristic within the context of predisposing, enabling, and need (PEN) characteristics following Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Multivariate analyses were used to examine the association of baseline PEN characteristics with CAM use by follow-up (approximately 6 months later), including use of five specific CAM domains. Change in pain from baseline to follow-up was also examined in relation to CAM use. Baseline pain was a strong predictor of CAM use, and increased pain over time was associated with use of unlicensed or underground drugs with potential for harm. These results highlight the importance of medical efforts to control pain in persons living with HIV.
PMID: 16310616 [PubMed - in process]
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Successful use of ketamine for intractable burning pain of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy.
Kubota T, Miyata A.
Publication Types:
PMID: 16310613 [PubMed - in process]
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: a systematic review.
Khadilkar A, Milne S, Brosseau L, Wells G, Tugwell P, Robinson V, Shea B, Saginur M.
School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the management of chronic LBP. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic low back pain (LBP) affects a significant proportion of the population. TENS was introduced more than 30 years ago as an adjunct to pharmacologic pain management. However, despite its widespread use, the usefulness of TENS in chronic LBP is still controversial. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 2, 2005), up to April 1, 2005. Only randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of TENS on chronic LBP were included. Two reviewers independently selected trials and extracted data using predetermined forms. Heterogeneity was tested with Cochrane's Q test. A fixed effect model was used throughout for calculating continuous variables, except where heterogeneity existed, in which case a random effects model was used. Results are presented as weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), where the difference between the treated and control groups was weighted by the inverse of the variance. Standardized mean differences were calculated by dividing the difference between the treated and control by the baseline variance. Standardized mean differences were used when different scales were used to measure the same concept. Dichotomous outcomes were analyzed with odds ratios. RESULTS: Two RCTs (175 patients) were included. They differed with respect to study design, methodologic quality, inclusion and exclusion criteria, characteristics of TENS application, treatment schedule, cointerventions, and measured outcomes. In one RCT, TENS produced significantly greater pain relief than the placebo control. However, in the other RCT, no statistically significant differences between treatment and control groups were shown for multiple outcome measures. Preplanned subgroup analyses, intended to examine the impact of different stimulation parameters, sites of TENS application, treatment durations, and baseline patient characteristics were not possible because of the small number of included trials. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for the efficacy of TENS as an isolated intervention in the management of chronic LBP is limited and inconsistent. Larger, multicenter, RCTs are needed to better resolve its role in this condition. Increased attention should be given to the risks and benefits of long-term use, which more appropriately addresses the realities of managing chronic low back pain.
PMID: 16319752 [PubMed - in process]
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