Average Pain Severity Research Articles

Patients’ experience and utilization patterns of diclofenac gel in Germany: a real-world study with a prospective longitudinal survey and a retrospective analysis of pharmacy data

Objective Describe and characterize treatment patterns, satisfaction, improvement in pain and functional impairment (health-related quality of life [HRQoL]) in users of over the counter (OTC) Voltaren gel diclofenac (VGD) 2.32% and 1.16% in a real-world setting. Methods This observational real-world German study had prospective and retrospective components. The prospective data were collected from electronic surveys completed by adults who purchased VGD to treat their musculoskeletal pain at baseline and 4 and 12 weeks after baseline. Retrospective data were from a 12-month (March 2019 to February 2020) abstraction from dispensing software platforms used in select German pharmacies. Results Surveys from 467 participants (mean age 60.8 years) were analyzed. Average pain severity at baseline was 6.0 on an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain), improving by 0.8 and 1.2 points at Weeks 4 and 12, respectively. Performance of functional activities (daily/physical/social activities and errands/chores) improved and the proportion of participants with at least moderate interference decreased at both follow-up timepoints. Retrospective analyses indicated that majority of patients receiving VGD (n = 95,085) were ≥65 years old (67.9%), had one dispensed tube (70.8%) and did not switch to another topical treatment (including other NSAIDs) (77.3%), and were co-prescribed at least one cardiovascular medication (74.3%). Conclusions This study provides the first real-world insights into OTC VGD use in Germany. The participants using VGD reported a decrease in pain severity and an improvement of HRQoL while under treatment, as well as resulting satisfaction with treatment. Patients infrequently switched to alternate topical therapies/NSAIDs.

Plecanatide Improves Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation: Results of an Integrated Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Two Phase 3 Trials.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) experience abdominal pain with altered bowel movements. Plecanatide is indicated as IBS-C treatment in adults. This integrated analysis further characterizes plecanatide efficacy and safety in IBS-C. Data pooled from 2 identically designed phase 3 trials included adults with IBS-C randomized to plecanatide 3 mg or 6 mg, or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. A daily diary recorded stool frequency/symptoms, with abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, discomfort, fullness, and straining intensity individually rated. Overall response (primary endpoint) was defined as ≥30% improvement from baseline in average worst abdominal pain severity and increase of ≥1 complete spontaneous bowel movement, during same week (composite), for ≥6 of 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included sustained response (overall response, plus meeting weekly composite criteria during ≥2 of last 4 treatment weeks) and changes from baseline in individual symptoms. Safety assessments included adverse event monitoring. Overall, 2176 patients (74.0% female; mean [SD] age, 43.5 [14.1] years) were included in efficacy analyses (plecanatide 3 mg [n = 724], 6 mg [n = 723], placebo [n = 729]). A significantly greater percentage of patients achieved overall response with plecanatide 3 mg (25.6%) and 6 mg (26.7%) versus placebo (16.0%; both P < 0.001 vs placebo). A significantly greater percentage of patients were sustained responders with plecanatide 3 mg (24.3%) and 6 mg (25.6%) versus placebo (15.6%; both P < 0.001 vs placebo). Significant improvements from baseline in abdominal discomfort, abdominal fullness, abdominal pain, bloating, and cramping occurred as early as Week 1 (Week 2 for abdominal pain) with plecanatide and were maintained through Week 12 versus placebo. Diarrhea, the most common adverse event, occurred in 4.3% (3 mg), 4.0% (6 mg) and 1.0% (placebo) of patients, leading to study discontinuation in 1.2%, 1.4%, and 0 patients, respectively. Plecanatide is safe and effective for treating global and individual IBS-C symptoms.

Effects of Technology Assisted Stepped Collaborative Care Intervention to Improve Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing long-term hemodialysis often experience a high burden of debilitating symptoms for which effective treatment options are limited. To compare the effectiveness of a stepped collaborative care intervention vs attention control for reducing fatigue, pain, and depression among patients with ESKD undergoing long-term hemodialysis. Technology Assisted Stepped Collaborative Care (TĀCcare) was a parallel-group, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial of adult (≥18 years) patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis and experiencing clinically significant levels of fatigue, pain, and/or depression for which they were considering treatment. The trial took place in 2 US states (New Mexico and Pennsylvania) from March 1, 2018, to June 31, 2022. Data analyses were performed from July 1, 2022, to April 10, 2023. The intervention group received 12 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy delivered via telehealth in the hemodialysis unit or patient home, and/or pharmacotherapy using a stepped approach in collaboration with dialysis and primary care teams. The attention control group received 6 telehealth sessions of health education. The coprimary outcomes were changes in fatigue (measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue), average pain severity (Brief Pain Inventory), and/or depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II) scores at 3 months. Patients were followed up for 12 months to assess maintenance of intervention effects. There were 160 participants (mean [SD] age, 58 [14] years; 72 [45%] women and 88 [55%] men; 21 [13%] American Indian, 45 [28%] Black, 28 [18%] Hispanic, and 83 [52%] White individuals) randomized, 83 to the intervention and 77 to the control group. In the intention-to-treat analyses, when compared with controls, patients in the intervention group experienced statistically and clinically significant reductions in fatigue (mean difference [md], 2.81; 95% CI, 0.86 to 4.75; P = .01) and pain severity (md, -0.96; 95% CI, -1.70 to -0.23; P = .02) at 3 months. These effects were sustained at 6 months (md, 3.73; 95% CI, 0.87 to 6.60; P = .03; and BPI, -1.49; 95% CI, -2.58 to -0.40; P = .02). Improvement in depression at 3 months was statistically significant but small (md -1.73; 95% CI, -3.18 to -0.28; P = .02). Adverse events were similar in both groups. This randomized clinical trial found that a technology assisted stepped collaborative care intervention delivered during hemodialysis led to modest but clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue and pain at 3 months vs the control group, with effects sustained until 6 months. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03440853.

Sleep disturbances are associated with pain intensity and pain-related functional interference in patients experiencing orofacial pain.

Sleep and pain have a reciprocal relationship, interacting with psychosocial aspects including depression, anxiety, somatization and significant stressful events. The aim of this study was to assess patients with oro-facial pain (OFP) and related sleep disturbances and determine the strongest psychosocial correlates. A cross-sectional study of anonymized data of consecutive patients with OFP {January 2019 and February 2020} were analysed. Diagnostic and Axis-II data were integrated to assess the relationship between sleep disturbances, measured using Chronic Pain Sleep Inventory, and demographic factors, clinical comorbidities, recent stressful events, pain severity and pain- and psychological-related function. Five out of six patients with OFP were presented with pain-related sleep disturbances. Sleep problems were enhanced in patients with primary oro-facial headache compared with other OFP conditions. However, once the level of pain intensity and interference was accounted for, primary headache, was not a significant correlate of pain-related sleep disturbances. Multivariate analysis revealed (average) pain severity and pain interference were both significantly associated with sleep problems. There were also significant independent associations of sleep problems with somatization levels and reported experience of recent stressful events. Identifying sleep problems as a part of OFP management may be beneficial and could result in better management outcomes.

Delay discounting in adults with and without chronic pain: Differentiation across commodity and sign.

Delay discounting is a component of reward processing that affects decision-making in various health behavior domains. This study examined the discounting of gains and losses for monetary and pain outcomes among adults with and without chronic pain. Pain severity and pain catastrophizing (PC) were examined as additional moderators. This study assessed the discounting rates of 138 adults with chronic pain and 147 adults without chronic pain using online convenience sampling. Delay discounting was measured using an adjusting amount procedure, which titrates discounting rates based on participants' responses to identify points of indifference. Adults with and without chronic pain discounted losses more than gains and discounted pain outcomes more than monetary outcomes. There were no differences between groups based on chronic pain status or average self-reported pain severity. Post hoc analyses show that, on average, adults with chronic pain and high pain catastrophizing discounted monetary losses less than adults without chronic pain and low pain catastrophizing. This finding suggests that a tendency to defer immediate losses in favor of even larger delayed losses is dependent on high pain catastrophizing in the context of chronic pain. If pain catastrophizing is a more robust predictor of discounting rates than other pain metrics, then catastrophizing may be the construct that predicts risky decision-making. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The bidirectional relationship between chronic joint pain and frailty: data from the Investigating Musculoskeletal Health and Wellbeing cohort

BackgroundPain and frailty are associated, but this relationship is insufficiently understood. We aimed to test whether there is a unidirectional or bidirectional relationship between joint pain and frailty.MethodsData were from Investigating Musculoskeletal Health and Wellbeing, a UK-based cohort. Average joint pain severity over the previous month was assessed using an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). Frailty was classified as present/absent using the FRAIL questionnaire. Multivariable regression assessed the association between joint pain and frailty, adjusted for age, sex, and BMI class. Two-wave cross-lagged path modelling permitted simultaneous exploration of plausible causal pathways between pain intensity and frailty at baseline and 1-year. Transitions were assessed using t-tests.ResultsOne thousand one hundred seventy-nine participants were studied, 53% female, with a median age of 73 (range 60 to 95) years. FRAIL classified 176 (15%) participants as frail at baseline. Mean (SD) baseline pain score was 5.2 (2.5). Pain NRS ≥ 4 was observed in 172 (99%) of frail participants.Pain severity was associated with frailty at baseline (aOR 1.72 (95%CI 1.56 to 1.92)). In cross-lagged path analysis, higher baseline pain predicted 1-year frailty [β = 0.25, (95%CI 0.14 to 0.36), p < 0.001] and baseline frailty predicted higher 1-year pain [β = 0.06, (95%CI 0.003 to 0.11), p = 0.040]. Participants transitioning to frailty over one year had higher mean pain scores (6.4 (95%CI 5.8 to 7.1)) at baseline than those who remained non-frail (4.7 (95%CI 4.5 to 4.8)), p < 0.001.ConclusionsThe bidirectional relationship between pain and frailty could lead to a vicious cycle in which each accelerates the other’s progression. This justifies attempts to prevent frailty by addressing pain and to include pain measures as an outcome in frailty studies.

Strategies Used to Manage Chronic Pain in HIV-Disease: Comparing Persons Prescribed Opioids Versus Persons not Receiving Opioids.

Chronic pain is common in people living with HIV (PLWH), causes substantial disability and is associated with limitations in daily activities. Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain treatment among PLWH, but evidence of sustained efficacy is mixed. There is little information available on how PLWH who have chronic pain use multimodal strategies in pain management. The current cross-sectional study examined background characteristics, self-reported pain, and the use of other pain treatments among 187 PLWH with chronic pain and depressive symptoms who were and were not prescribed opioids. Approximately 20.9% of participants reported using prescription opioids at the time of the study interview. These individuals were significantly more likely to report having engaged in physical therapy or stretching, strengthening or aerobic exercises in the previous 3 months, recent benzodiazepine use, and receiving disability payments. There were no significant differences in pain characteristics (pain-related interference, average pain severity, and worst pain severity) between the two groups. Those not prescribed opioids were more likely to report better concurrent physical functioning and general health, and fewer physical role limitations, but higher depression symptom severity. Our findings suggest that many PLWH with chronic pain and depressive symptoms express high levels of pain with deficits in physical function or quality of life despite their use of opioids. The high rate of co-use of opioids and benzodiazepines (30.8%) is a concern because it may increase risk of overdose. An integrated care approach that includes a variety of effective non-pharmacologic treatment strategies such as physical therapy may be beneficial in reducing the reliance on opioids for pain management.

Augmenting Career Longevity: An Analysis of Ergonomics Training Among 134 Neurological Surgeons

Work-related pain among neurosurgeons remains understudied, yet can have long-term consequences which affect operative efficiency and efficacy, career longevity, and life outside of work. This study provides insight into the extent of pain experienced by neurosurgeons and the effect of ergonomics training on pain. An online survey pertaining to ergonomics and pain was sent to all neurosurgeons on the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) email distribution list. Statistical comparisons of age groups against pain levels and ergonomics training against pain levels, as well as multivariate linear regression of demographics, training, and operating factors against pain levels were performed. One hundred and thirty-four neurosurgeons responded to the survey. The mean average severity of pain across respondents was 3.3/10 and the mean peak severity of pain was 5.1/10. Among the reported peak pain severity scores, neurosurgeons with 21-30years of operating experience had significantly higher pain scores than those with 11-20years of experience (mean 6.2 vs. 4.2; P<0.05), while neurosurgeons with more than 30years of experience had significantly less pain than those with 21-30years of experience (mean 4.4 vs. 6.2, P=0.005). Training in ergonomics did not significantly improve respondents' reported peak or mean pain severities (17.9% reported having ergonomics training). Ergonomics training did not appear to make a difference in neurosurgeons' pain severities. This may signify a need to optimize ergonomics pedagogy to achieve observable benefits.

Paravertebral Blocks in Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction: Propensity-Matched Analysis of Opioid Consumption and Patient Outcomes.

The paravertebral block (PVB) is an adjunctive perioperative pain control method for patients undergoing breast reconstruction that may improve perioperative pain control and reduce narcotic use. This study determined the efficacy of preoperative PVBs for perioperative pain management in patients undergoing tissue expander breast reconstruction. A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent tissue expander breast reconstruction from December of 2017 to September of 2019. Two patients with PVBs were matched using propensity scoring to one no-block patient. Perioperative analgesic use, pain severity scores on days 2 to 10 after discharge, and BREAST-Q Physical Well-Being scores before surgery and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months after surgery were compared between the two groups. The propensity-matched cohort consisted of 471 patients (314 PVB and 157 no block). The PVB group used significantly fewer morphine milligram equivalents than the no-block group (53.7 versus 69.8; P < 0.001). Average daily postoperative pain severity scores were comparable, with a maximum difference of 0.3 points on a 0-point to 4-point scale. BREAST-Q Physical Well-Being scores were significantly higher for the PVB group than the no-block group at 6 weeks after surgery (60.6 versus 51.0; P = 0.015) but did not differ significantly at 2 weeks or 3 months after surgery. PVBs may help reduce perioperative opioid requirements but did not reduce pain scores after discharge when used as part of an expander-based reconstruction perioperative pain management protocol. Continued research should examine additional or alternative regional block procedures as well as financial cost and potential long-term impact of PVBs. Therapeutic, III.

Depressive and Insomnia Symptoms Sequentially Mediate the Association Between Racism-Based Discrimination in Healthcare Settings and Clinical Pain Among Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

AbstractRacism-based discrimination in healthcare settings has been associated with clinical pain in adults living with sickle cell disease; however, no studies have examined depressive and insomnia symptoms as mechanisms that may drive this relationship. This secondary data analysis examined associations between depressive and insomnia symptoms, racism-based discrimination, and clinical pain. Seventy-one adults with sickle cell disease (70% female, Mage = 38.79) provided baseline reports of racism-based discrimination, depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and pain (severity, interference, catastrophizing), and they completed daily diaries of pain severity and interference over 3 months. In a sequential mediation model, baseline depressive (1st) and insomnia symptoms (2nd) significantly mediated the association between racism-based discrimination and baseline pain interference, average daily diary pain severity, and average daily diary pain interference. Although the mediation model with baseline pain severity as the outcome was significant, the total and direct effects were not. Results indicate that discrimination in healthcare settings contributes to depression, which may act on pain through sleep disturbance. Findings support the need for systemic and structural changes to eliminate discrimination in healthcare settings and behavioral mood and sleep interventions to reduce the impact of discrimination on clinical pain. PerspectiveThe relationship between discrimination in healthcare settings and pain in adults with sickle cell disease may be driven by depression and sleep disturbance, modifiable risk factors and potential treatment targets. Results suggest that systemic, structural, and institutional changes must be implemented to promote better patient care and health outcomes.

Clinical outcomes of percutaneous screw fixation of acetabular fracture: A minimally invasive procedure

ObjectiveOpen reduction with internal fixation is the surgical intervention of choice for acetabular fractures (AFs). Percutaneous screw fixation for AFs is a new procedure that is desirable because of the complex anatomy of the pelvis. In this study, we aimed to assess the functional outcomes, mobility, healing, and distal neurovascular abnormalities in patients who underwent percutaneous retrograde screw fixation. MethodsOur study included 36 patients with AFs treated with percutaneous screw fixation between January 2016 and June 2021. There were 18 cases with anterior column AF, 7 cases with transverse AF, and 11 cases with associated AF, 6 of which had a T-shaped AF. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe characteristics and clinical outcomes. Mean and standard deviation were used for continuous variables. SPSS version 23 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis. ResultsThe average time to regain full mobility with full weight bearing was 12.9 ± 5.4 weeks, and approximately 11.1 ± 2.8 weeks was required for patients to be pain-free with satisfactory fracture healing. Only a minority (8.3%) of patients had abnormalities affecting the distal neurovascular system, and 11.1% experienced sexual dysfunction. Pain severity was assessed with a visual analogue scale. The average pain severity on the first and third post-operative days was 4 ± 2.4 and 3.8 ± 2.6, respectively. However, the average pain intensity before discharge was 1.7 ± 2.6. ConclusionPercutaneous screw fixation is the most efficient surgical choice for most pelvic/AFs.

Impact of pain severity on functioning domains, sleep, and cognition in painful diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy patients

BackgroundSeveral studies have observed that painful diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (PDPN) had an impact on the level of functioning domains and quality of sleep as well as cognitive functions. This study is aimed to explore the relationship between severity of pain and level of functioning, sleep quality, and cognitive functions among these patients. We recruited 100 diabetics with a mean HbA1C% of 7.3±0.9, diagnosed with PDPN, and included in the study with a mean age of 51±12.8 years and disease duration of 10.2±7.4 years. The following assessment was done for each patient; clinical and neurophysiology assessment, routine laboratory assessment, measuring pain severity, and average pain severity interference scores using pain visual analog scale (VAS) and brief pain inventory (BPI) short form, respectively, sleep quality assessment using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Montreal cognitive function assessment (MOCA) scales.ResultsModerate to severe pain was recorded in 71% of patients according to the VAS pain score. The severe pain group recorded the significant highest average pain severity and interference scores in BPI and domains compared to other less pain groups with average pain intensity scores of 7.5±0.6 vs 5.3±0.8 in the moderate and 3.3±0.4 in mild pain groups. Poor sleep quality and pattern were observed in these patients with a mean PSQI score of 6.8±3.1, and the severe pain group had a significant highest score of 9.4±2.3 compared to other less group scores of 7±2.3 and 3.7±1.8. Their mean MOCA score was low 24.2±2.2. Out of them 48/100 patients had mild cognitive impairment and recorded high frequency in the severe pain group (28/32) followed by the moderate pain (15/39) group. There is a significant correlation between the score of VAS and PSQI as well as MOCA.ConclusionsPainful DPN patients had a poor level of functioning and sleep quality as well as cognitive impairment based on pain intensity.Trial registrationThis study was registered on a clinical trial with registration number NCT03275233 on 7 September 2017.

Long-term reductions in disease impact in patients with chronic migraine following preventive treatment with eptinezumab

BackgroundEptinezumab is an anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide humanized monoclonal antibody approved for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. The PREVAIL study demonstrated a favorable safety profile with sustained reductions in overall migraine-related burden in patients with chronic migraine (CM). This post hoc analysis aimed to examine item-level changes in the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire over 2 years in participants with CM on eptinezumab treatment.MethodsPREVAIL was an open-label, phase 3 trial that included 96 weeks of treatment where 128 adults received intravenous eptinezumab administered over 30 min every 12 weeks (wks) for up to 8 doses of 300 mg. MIDAS was administered at baseline, Wk12, and every 12wks thereafter. Two supplementary MIDAS items not included in the total score calculation assessed number of headache days in the past 3 months (MIDAS headache) and average headache pain severity (from 0 [none] to 10 [worst]). MIDAS total scores were summed from 5 items, each quantifying the number of days in the past 3 months with migraine-related disability. Items 1, 3, and 5 assessed absenteeism, namely how many days the patient missed work/school (Q1), household work (Q3), or family/social/leisure activities (Q5). Items 2 and 4 were measures of presenteeism, namely how many days the patient had reduced productivity in work/school (Q2) or household work (Q4).ResultsMean MIDAS headache days decreased from 47.4 (baseline) to 17.1 (Wk12) and 16.3 (Wk104). The average headache pain severity score (0‒10) decreased from a mean of 7.3 (baseline) to 5.5 (Wk12) to 4.5 (Wk104). Mean MIDAS scores measuring absenteeism (Q1, 3, 5) changed from 9.7 days at baseline to 3.2 days (Wk12) and to 3.9 days (Wk104). Mean MIDAS scores measuring presenteeism (Q2, 4) at Wk12 decreased from 14.2 days at baseline to 5.2 days (Wk12, 104). Patients categorized with very severe MIDAS disability had a mean total MIDAS score of 84.8, with an average reduction of 56.7 days (Wk12), which was maintained at 32 days at Wk104.ConclusionsLong-term treatment with eptinezumab in patients with CM suggested sustained reductions in MIDAS-quantified disability, consistent with the sustained reductions in headache frequency and pain severity.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02985398.

Psychosocial characteristics of chronic pain in cancer survivors referred to an Australian multidisciplinary pain clinic.

To describe the clinical and psychosocial characteristics of chronic pain in cancer survivors referred to one Australian hospital's ambulatory pain clinic over a 7-year period (2013-19), and to compare cancer treatment-related pain with comorbid non-malignant pain. Retrospective chart review including responses to standardized self-report questionnaires (Brief Pain Inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale), routinely collected in all patients referred to pain clinics at Australian and New Zealand hospitals. Of 3510 new referrals during the study period, 267 (7.5%) had a history of cancer and 176 (5.0%) met the study's eligibility criteria. Their average age was 63±13years, with 55% female. Breast cancer survivors were commonest, followed by hematological, prostate, melanoma, and colorectal, a median of 3years post-diagnosis. Pain was attributed to cancer treatment in 87 (49%), surgery being the commonest modality. Multimodal treatment (n=89, 58%) was significantly commoner in the treatment-related pain group (p&lt;0.001). Average pain severity was moderate, as was pain-related disability and distress. Pain cognitions were often maladaptive (low pain self-efficacy, high pain catastrophizing), predicted by pre-existing anxiety and depression. Associations between pain cognitions and outcomes were medium-to-large. Differences between treatment pain and comorbid pain were small-to-medium. Their scores were similar to Australian pain clinic norms. Cancer treatment causes tissue damage, but pain-related distress and disability in survivors is associated with maladaptive pain cognitions. Survivors with poor pain outcomes should be evaluated for unhelpful thoughts and beliefs especially when they have pre-existing depression or anxiety.

The Efficacy of an Ultrasound-Guided Improved Puncture Path Technique of Nerve Block/Pulsed Radiofrequency for Pudendal Neuralgia: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of an improved ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and nerve block (NB) for patients with pudendal neuralgia (PN). Methods: This retrospective analysis included 88 adults with PN treated in the Pain Department of Southwest Hospital from November 2011 to June 2021, with treatment including NB (n = 40) and PRF (n = 48). The primary outcome variable was pain severity, measured by a standardized visual analog scale (VAS). VAS values were collected at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days and 1 and 3 months after patients were treated with NB or PRF. Results: Compared with patients treated with NB (n = 40) and those treated with PRF (n = 48), no significant difference in pain reduction was observed in the short term (p = 0.739 and 0.981, at 1 and 3 days, respectively); however, in the medium and long term (1 to 3 months), there were statistically significant improvements in the PRF group over the NB group (p < 0.001). Moreover, it was noted that the average pain severity of primary PN and PN due to sacral perineurial cyst was significantly reduced with PRF therapy in the medium and long term when compared to other secondary PNs, including surgery, trauma, and diabetes. Discussion: The ultrasound-guided, improved, and innovative PRF/NB puncture path technique allows for gentler stimulation and faster identification of the pudendal nerve. The PRF technique may provide better treatments for primary PN and sacral perineurial cyst causing secondary PN in the medium and long term.

A Digital Health Application Allowing a Personalized Low-Glycemic Nutrition for the Prophylaxis of Migraine: Proof-of-Concept Data from a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Migraine is a headache disorder with the highest socioeconomic burden. The aim of this study was to deliver the first proof-of-concept data of the potential role of an individual low-glycemic diet provided by a novel digital health application in the prophylaxis of migraine. Methods: We analyzed data from a retrospective survey of individuals who participated in a digital nutrition program that provides dietary recommendations based on the individual analysis of continuous glucose measurement from an up to 14-day test phase. A total of 84 individuals completed the retrospective digital survey. The endpoints were changes in the number of migraine days, average duration of attacks, average pain severity, frequency of intake of pain medication, absenteeism, and presenteeism before and after program participation. Results: The intraindividual comparisons of the endpoints before and after program participation revealed decreases in migraine frequency and other patient-relevant migraine parameters. Moreover, patients with a baseline migraine frequency of two and more migraine days per month and adherence to the dietary recommendations (n = 40) showed a mean reduction in migraine days by 33% with a 50%-responder rate of 38%. Conclusions: The data provides emerging evidence that an individualized low-glycemic diet based on continuous glucose measurement could be a promising approach for a diet-based, non-pharmacological migraine prophylaxis. However, future research is required to confirm the implied effectiveness.

Effect of perioperative cognitive behavioural therapy on chronic post-surgical pain among breast cancer patients with high pain catastrophising characteristics: protocol for a double-blinded randomised controlled trial

BackgroundSurgery is regarded as the primary treatment for breast cancer. Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a recognised complication after breast cancer surgery, and it is estimated to affect 20–30% of women. Pain catastrophizing has emerged as one of the most influential psychological variables associated with CPSP.MethodsThis trial will be a single-centre, prospective, double-blinded, superiority, randomised controlled trial (RCT). Patients scheduled for elective breast cancer surgery (wide local excision or mastectomy with or without axillary lymph node dissection) will be screened preoperatively for high pain catastrophising. Patients with high pain catastrophising, defined as a score of ≥ 24 on the Pain Catastrophising Scale will be deemed eligible for inclusion in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a cognitive behavioural therapy or an educational mindfulness based programme during their perioperative period. The primary outcome is the Brief Pain Inventory short form average pain severity score at 3 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include patient-reported quality of recovery at days 1–2 after surgery, levels of pain catastrophising, reported depressed mood and anxiety.DiscussionTo the best of our knowledge, this protocol describes the first RCT which directly examines the effect of perioperative cognitive behavioural therapy on CPSP among breast cancer patients with high pain catastrophising characteristics. The outcomes of this trial may have significant implications for these patients because perioperative cognitive behavioural therapy has the potential to become an important perioperative intervention to complement patient management.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govNCT04924010. Registered on 11 June 2021. All item from the World Health Organisation Trial Registration Data set have been included.

Gender differences in multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation: The mediating role of pain acceptance

The present study aimed to investigate gender differences in multidisciplinary pain treatment outcomes and whether pain acceptance contributes to gender differences. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on participants of a three-week multidisciplinary group pain rehabilitation program (N = 36). To accurately compare men and women, men (n = 18) were matched to similar women on sociodemographic and pain variables. Patients completed a battery of measures at baseline and discharge. Both men and women improved significantly from baseline to discharge (p < .001) in depressive symptoms, but only women had significant reductions in average pain severity. Between-group analyses showed gender differences in changes from baseline to discharge in pain interference, anxiety, and pain acceptance, with women improving more than men. Activity engagement (a behavioral component of pain acceptance) significantly mediated the effects of gender on pain severity, pain interference, and depression, and pain willingness (a cognitive component of pain acceptance) significantly mediated the effects of gender on pain interference and anxiety. Overall, multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation appears to benefit both men and women, but women showed greater improvements than men at discharge. Gender differences in changes in pain severity, pain interference, and anxiety may be explained, in part, by increased pain acceptance in women. Future work is needed to replicate these findings in larger samples and to ascertain how potential modifications to multimodal pain treatment could meet the specific needs of both men and women with chronic pain to optimize outcomes for more patients.

Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain control in patients with osteoarthritis: results of the 12-month observational study AELITA (Analgesia: Effective Treatment Using The Therapeutic Algorithm)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary means of managing chronic osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The choice of NSAIDs is based on an analysis of the risk of adverse reactions (ARs). Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term use of NSAIDs for pain control in patients with OA in real clinical practice.Patients and methods. To assess the results of long-term use of NSAIDs in OA, a 12-month observational non-interventional study was conducted. It included 611 patients with knee, hip and generalized OA, and nonspecific back pain associated with OA of the facet joints. All patients were prescribed aceclofenac (Aertal®) 200 mg/day. The patients' condition was assessed 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the start of therapy. The following parameters were determined: the intensity of pain during movement and the general health assessment (GA) according to the visual analogue scale (VAS, 10 cm); pain intensity according to the Likert verbal rating scale (VRS) (0–4); the number of patients with a pain reduction of ≥50% from baseline; patients' assessment of the result of therapy according to Likert VRS (1–5). The development of ARs was recorded at each visit.Results and discussion. By month 12, 46.8% of patients had dropped out of observation. In patients who continued the study, the average severity of pain according to the VAS at baseline, after 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was: 6.5±1.2; 4.8±1.4; 3.2±1.4; 2.6±1.4; 2.2±1.1; 1.4±1.1 cm, respectively (significant differences compared to the baseline for all points – p&lt;0.05). The same differences were obtained in GA assessment.Within the indicated time frame, the number of patients with moderate / severe pain (on the Likert scale) decreased from 77.8 to 24.9; 2.9; 2.3; 0.9 and 0%, respectively. The number of patients with a pain reduction of ≥50% from baseline was 12.0; 65.1; 81.0; 88.5 and 84.0%, respectively. A good or excellent assessment of treatment results after 2 weeks was given by 63.3% of patients, and after 12 months – by 95.6%. ARs were observed in about 30% of patients, mainly mild or moderate dyspepsia (in 11.1–23.3%) and arterial hypertension (in 7.1–10.9%). No serious ARs were registered.Conclusion. Aceclofenac is an effective and relatively safe drug for the long-term management of chronic pain in OA.

Depression Predicts Chronic Pain Interference in Racially Diverse, Income-Disadvantaged Patients.

Chronic pain is one of the most common reason adults seek medical care in the United States, with prevalence estimates ranging from 11% to 40%. Mindfulness meditation has been associated with significant improvements in pain, depression, physical and mental health, sleep, and overall quality of life. Group medical visits are increasingly common and are effective at treating myriad illnesses, including chronic pain. Integrative Medical Group Visits (IMGV) combine mindfulness techniques, evidence based integrative medicine, and medical group visits and can be used as adjuncts to medications, particularly in diverse underserved populations with limited access to non-pharmacological therapies. The objective of the present study was to use a blended analytical approach of machine learning and regression analyses to evaluate the potential relationship between depression and chronic pain in data from a randomized clinical trial of IMGV in diverse, income-disadvantaged patients suffering from chronic pain and depression. The analytical approach used machine learning to assess the predictive relationship between depression and pain and identify and select key mediators, which were then assessed with regression analyses. It was hypothesized that depression would predict the pain outcomes of average pain, pain severity, and pain interference. Our analyses identified and characterized a predictive relationship between depression and chronic pain interference. This prediction was mediated by high perceived stress, low pain self-efficacy, and poor sleep quality, potential targets for attenuating the adverse effects of depression on functional outcomes. In the context of the associated clinical trial and similar interventions, these insights may inform future treatment optimization, targeting, and application efforts in racialized, income-disadvantaged populations, demographics often neglected in studies of chronic pain.