Diagnosis Of Chronic Pain Research Articles

Boosting the innovation transformation of clinical medicine based on core technology in anesthesiology

The core technologies proposed in surgery have boosted the innovation transformation and disciplinary development. However, the core technologies in anesthesiology remain undefined both domestically and internationally. Through collaborative discussions among Chinese anesthesiologists, the core technologies of anesthesiology can be succinctly summarized as Relief of pain, Regulation of life, Resuscitation, and Restoration of organ function, and collectively referred to as the 4R technologies. Their primary components include: (1) Technology for sedation, analgesia and muscle relaxation; (2) Technology for the monitoring and regulation of life; (3) Technology for resuscitation and restoration of organ function; (4) Technology for diagnosis and therapy for acute and chronic pain, as well as functional regulation. Up to now, there is still a significant gap between the current situation of anesthesiology and the requirements of core technologic content. Exclusive innovation transformation can remodel the new future of anesthesiology.

Humeral Shaft Stress Fracture Completion in a Weight Lifter

Case: A 34-year-old man, amateur weight lifter presented with acute worsening of right shoulder pain after 5 months of prodromal, progressive, atraumatic pain. Imaging showed a short oblique proximal third humeral shaft fracture without evidence of other osseous abnormalities. He was treated operatively with open reduction and internal fixation, healed uneventfully, and returned to weight lifting within 3 months. Conclusion: Humeral shaft stress fractures most commonly occur in athletes or military personnel who engage in repetitive overhead activity. It is important to include stress fracture on the differential diagnosis for chronic pain in the upper extremity, especially in a physically active patient.

Opioid Prescribing Trends Following Lumbar Discectomy.

Lumbar diskectomy is a common procedure, following which a brief course of narcotics is often prescribed. Nonetheless, increasing attention has been given to such prescribing patterns to limit adverse effects and the potential for abuse. This study investigated prescribing patterns of opioid within 90 days following lumbar diskectomy. Patients undergoing single-level lumbar laminotomy/diskectomy from 2011 to 2021 were identified in the PearlDiver Mariner161 database. Exclusion criteria included the following: additional same-day spine procedures, age less than 18 years, same-day diagnosis of neoplasm, trauma, or infection, prior diagnosis of chronic pain, records active for less than 90 days following surgery, and filled opioid prescription between 7 and 30 days before the surgery. Predictors associated with receiving opioid prescriptions and excess prescribed morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) were assessed with multivariable regression analyses. Prescribing patterns over the years were then analyzed with simple linear regression and compared for 2011 and 2021. A total of 271,631 patients met the inclusion criteria. Opioids were prescribed for 195,835 (72.1%) and were independently associated with lower age, female sex, higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, and geographic region (P < 0.0001 for each). Greater MMEs were independently prescribed to those who were younger, had higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, and lived in specific geographic regions (P < 0.0001 for each). The proportion of patients receiving opioid prescriptions slightly increased over time (69.0% in 2011 to 71.0% in 2021), whereas a decrease was observed in median MMEs prescribed (428.9 in 2011 to 225.0 in 2021, P < 0.0001) and mean number of prescriptions filled (3.3 in 2011 and 2.3 in 2021, P < 0.0001). Following lumbar diskectomy, this study found clinical and nonclinical factors to be associated with prescribing opioids and prescribed MME. The decreased MME prescribed over the years was encouraging and the decreased number of prescriptions filled suggests that patients are not needing to return for more prescriptions than prior.

Chronic Pain Management by Analgesic Effects of Shoolprashman Mahakashaya Herbal Drugs: A Conceptual Review

Chronic pain can lead to physical limitations, emotional suffering, and social isolation, all of which can seriously impair a person's quality of life. In addition, poor chronic pain diagnosis and management can worsen opioid use disorders and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality among people who suffer from it. Consequently, healthcare professionals must understand chronic pain and implement appropriate treatment strategies. Due to the discovery of analgesic nephropathy and other systemic illnesses brought on by excessive and prolonged use of analgesics, Shoolprashman Mahakashya, an alternate method of managing chronic pain of unknown cause, is referenced in Ayurveda. This article focuses on Shoolprashman Mahakashaya's herbal drug phytoconstituent, which acts as an analgesic, and its mode of action on the pain and inflammatory markers.

Phenome-wide diagnostic comparison among suicide deaths and living individuals with chronic pain diagnoses

BackgroundChronic pain, regardless of its type, is a significant risk factor for suicide. However, not all individuals with chronic pain also experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Better characterization of clinical risk profiles and comorbidities across the medical spectrum among people with chronic pain who die by suicide is urgently needed to aid treatment and prevention strategies.MethodsThis case–control study leverages population-based data from the Utah Suicide Mortality Risk Study. Specifically, we identify clinical phenotypes from diagnostic data that differentiate between individuals that died by suicide with chronic pain diagnoses (N = 1,410) and living control individuals who also had chronic pain diagnoses (N = 4,664). Medical diagnostic codes were aggregated via phecodes to perform a phenotype-based phenome-wide association study. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for covariates and multiple testing, differences in 1,727 common clinical phenotypes (phecodes) were assessed between suicide deaths and controls with chronic pain diagnoses. Models were also stratified by sex.ResultsChronic pain diagnoses were nearly three times more prevalent in individuals who died by suicide compared with those who did not. Sixty-five phecodes were significantly overrepresented among suicide deaths with chronic pain diagnoses compared with controls with chronic pain diagnoses. Utah suicide deaths with chronic pain had significantly more psychiatric diagnoses (mood disorders, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia/psychosis, substance use related traits and prior overdoses, and diagnoses related to previous suicidal thoughts and behaviors) in addition to insomnia and specific pain related diagnoses compared to Utah controls with chronic pain (odds ratios ranged from 1.40–7.10). Twenty-five phecodes were overrepresented in controls with chronic pain compared to suicides. These were related to preventative care, cancer, obesity and other conditions (odds ratios ranged from 0.16–0.73). Sex-specific analyses largely replicated the combined analyses, yet the strength of the association was stronger for women with phecodes related to prior self-harm.ConclusionsResults identified multiple clinical comorbidities with chronic pain that differentiate suicide deaths from living control individuals with a history of diagnosed chronic pain. Our findings may help discern individuals with chronic pain who may be at greater risk for suicide death.

Classifying chronic pain using ICD-11 and questionnaires-reported characteristics in Japanese patients with chronic pain.

The new ICD-11 code for chronic pain indicates a direction to divide chronic pain into two categories: chronic secondary pain, which has a clear underlying disease, and chronic primary pain, which is associated with significant emotional distress or functional disability and cannot be explained by another chronic condition. Until now, epidemiological studies have been hampered by the lack of a clear classification, but we believe that this new code system will provide a new perspective on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain, and we have begun work on this code system. We studied 2,360 patients at Aichi Medical University, the largest pain center in Japan, and asked them to answer questionnaires on pain severity (NRS), pain-related functional impairment (PDAS, Locomo25), quality of life (EQ-5D), and psychological state and pain cognition (HADS, PCS, PSEQ, AIS) while their attending physicians were giving diagnoses according to ICD-11 and the results of the study were used to determine the coding of pain severity. The ratio of primary to chronic secondary pain was almost 50%, and the group of patients with MG30.01 classification, which included fibromyalgia, had the highest severity among chronic primary pain. The MG30.01 classification of patients was also found to experience more severe pain compared to other classifications of chronic primary pain patients. The classification of patients with a major psychiatric component was not always clear, and some patients in the secondary category also had a clear psychiatric component, suggesting the need to develop complementary tools to support pain diagnosis.

12367 Primary Care Providers’ Preferences Regarding History-Taking Tools to Aid in the Diagnosis of Chronic Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis

12367 Primary Care Providers’ Preferences Regarding History-Taking Tools to Aid in the Diagnosis of Chronic Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis

ECOLOGICAL VALIDATION AND RELIABILITY OF AN AI-BASED MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY (MDT) SYSTEM FOR CHRONIC MECHANICAL LOW BACK PAIN

Although mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) is generally used for its accurate “hands-on manual or face-to-face diagnostic” classification and therapeutic efficacy in treating low back pain (LBP), the validity and test–retest reliability of an AI-based MDT platform (“Dr. AI”) for chronic LBP diagnosis remain unestablished. This research aimed to assess the validity and reliability of Dr. AI compared to the conventional face-to-face diagnosis by physical therapists (“Dr. PT”). Fifty participants ([Formula: see text] years, eight females) with chronic LBP were classified into postural, derangement, and other syndromes using MDT guidelines based on the signs, posture, and repeated movement tests. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were employed to compare the classification accuracies of Dr. PT and Dr. AI. The significance value for linear regression and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses was set at [Formula: see text]. Linear regression analysis demonstrated excellent validity ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), indicating the outstanding accuracy of Dr. AI. The test–retest reliability data demonstrated good-to-excellent ICC (0.82–0.94; [Formula: see text]), indicating consistent measurements by Dr. AI. These findings highlight the important clinical application of the Dr. AI MDT system, which accurately and consistently identifies and classifies syndromes in chronic LBP in a remote or ecological environment. Our novel study has demonstrated more than 10% higher reliability and validity than previous studies.

Delayed Recovery After Exercise-Induced Pain in People with Chronic Widespread Muscle Pain Related to Cortical Connectivity.

There is a subset of patients with pain who become worse after exercise. To explore this, we examined the responses of people with chronic primary pain to a standardized high intensity exercise protocol used to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Ten participants with a diagnosis of chronic widespread muscle pain (CWMP) were matched by age and reported gender to ten participants without muscle pain (i.e., no pain (NP)). Participants completed a standardized DOMS protocol. Pain intensity in the arm at rest and with movement was assessed using daily electronic diaries. Peak pain, the timing of peak pain, and the time to recovery were compared between groups. Associations of pain variables with the functional connectivity of the sensorimotor (SMN), cerebellum, frontoparietal control (FPN), and default mode network (DMN) both within network nodes and the rest of the brain was assessed. Significant differences in peak pain, the time to peak pain, and the time to recovery were noted between groups for both pain at rest and pain with movement after controlling for catastrophizing and pain resilience. Connectivity across the SMN, FPN, and DMN was associated with all pain-related variables. Significant group differences were identified between groups. A standardized muscle "injury" protocol resulted in more pain, a longer time to peak pain, and a longer time to resolve pain in the patient group compared to the NP group. These differences were associated with differences in connectivity across brain regions related to sensorimotor integration and appraisal. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the dysregulation of responses to muscle (micro)trauma in people with chronic pain.

Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of chronic pelvic pain

Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of chronic pelvic pain

Identification of texture MRI brain abnormalities on Fibromyalgia syndrome using interpretable machine learning models

To provide objective diagnostic markers for fibromyalgia symptoms (FMS) diagnosis, we have created interpretable extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models using radiomics to aid in the diagnosis of chronic pain (CP) and to develop nomogram models for diagnosing subgroups of FMS. A group of 54 patients with CP and 71 healthy controls was randomly separated into training and validation groups, using a 7:3 ratio. Radiomics features were extracted from grey-matter and white-matter in the filtered mwp0* image. The Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation test, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were utilized to select features. An XGBoost model was created based on these features, and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used for personalization and visual interpretation. A nomogram was developed for the diagnosis of FMS subgroups, utilizing radiomics scores and clinical predictors. The efficacy of the nomogram was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, while decision curve analysis was employed to evaluate its clinical efficacy. The XGBoost model displays stability in the training validation group, indicating lower overfitting of CP model. The nomogram model combined with the rad-score has a greater ability to distinguish between typical and sub-clinical than the clinical factor model alone. We developed and validated a CP diagnosis model by XGBoost and realized model visualization through SHAP. The rad-score obtained by machine learning was used to build a nomogram model that combines clinical scales to distinguish patients with typical and sub-clinical fibromyalgia.

7191 When Pain Is Misdiagnosed: A Case of Parathyroid Carcinoma Masked as Fibromyalgia

Abstract Disclosure: H. Pham: None. P.V. Kumar: None. S. Taylor: None. Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cause of hyperparathyroidism, typically associated with &amp;lt;1% of primary hyperparathyroidism cases. Incidence occurs mainly in the 5th decade of life, with less than 4% of all cases presenting in patients under age 30. Here, we highlight a case involving a 28-year-old woman with fibromyalgia who presented for worsening right shoulder pain in the setting of progressive, poorly characterized pain for the past year. Her initial physical exam was unremarkable aside from a non-tender left sided neck enlargement. However, her laboratory results were significant for corrected serum calcium of 15 mg/dL, serum phosphorus of 2.3 mg/dL, parathyroid hormone (PTH) &amp;gt;2500 pg/mL, and alkaline phosphatase 1604 units/L. X-ray of her right shoulder demonstrated mottled bone concerning for degenerative disease. Thyroid ultrasound revealed a complex cystic lesion posterior to the left thyroid lobe measuring 5.3 x 3.9 x 2.9 cm, worrisome for giant parathyroid adenoma. CT abdomen/pelvis showed diffuse osteosclerosis and innumerable lytic lesions, consistent with osteitis fibrosa cystica, as well as bilateral nephrolithiasis, likely medullary nephrocalcinosis. Her hypercalcemia was treated with aggressive hydration with normal saline and IV pamidronate. She underwent surgical resection of her parathyroid adenoma, which was unfortunately complicated by symptomatic hypocalcemia requiring prolonged care in the ICU. Her calcium levels did improve within a few days, and she was subsequently discharged with close outpatient follow-up. Final pathology report showed predominant thickened trabecular growth pattern with focal vascular invasion consistent with parathyroid carcinoma. Our patient’s case represents a rare presentation of parathyroid carcinoma in a young patient without any additional risk factors. Although atypical, her severe symptomatic hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, presence of large neck mass, and diffuse skeletal disease warranted immediate concern for malignant hyperparathyroidism instead of benign adenoma. Delayed diagnosis in our patient led to prolonged bone disease and severe complications. While hungry bone syndrome typically manifests post-parathyroidectomy in patients with end-stage renal disease, our patient experienced this complication in the setting of advanced, untreated hyperparathyroidism. We should consider hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism in our differential diagnosis for chronic pain, especially if pain remains uncontrolled with conservative measures. The most appropriate initial test for evaluation of hypercalcemia is a PTH level to distinguish between PTH-dependent and PTH-independent etiologies. Parathyroid carcinoma, even in young patients, should be considered when PTH is &amp;gt;3x upper limit of normal, serum calcium is &amp;gt;14, or skeletal and renal involvement is present. Presentation: 6/3/2024

The Combined Relationship of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Enactment and Medical Cannabis Laws with Chronic Pain-Related Healthcare Visits.

U.S. state electronic prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are associated with reduced opioid dispensing among people with chronic pain and may impact use of other chronic pain treatments. In states with medical cannabis laws (MCLs), patients can use cannabis for chronic pain management, reducing their need for chronic-pain related treatment visits and moderating effects of PDMP laws. Given high rates of chronic pain among Medicaid enrollees, we examined associations between PDMP enactment in the presence or absence of MCL on chronic pain-related outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits. We created annual cohorts of Medicaid enrollees with chronic pain diagnoses using national Medicaid claims data from 2002-2013 and 2016. Negative binomial hurdle models produced adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for the likelihood of any chronic pain-related outpatient or ED visit and incident rate ratios (IRR) for the rate of visits among patients with ≥ 1 visit. Medicaid enrollees aged 18-64years with chronic pain (N = 4,878,462). A 3-level state-year variable with the following categories: 1) no PDMP, 2) PDMP enactment in the absence of MCL, or 3) PDMP enactment in the presence of MCL. Healthcare codes for chronic pain-related outpatient and ED visits each year. The sample was primarily female (67.2%), non-Hispanic White (51.2%), and ages 40-55years (37.2%). Compared to no-PDMP states, PDMP enactment in the absence of MCL was not associated with chronic pain-related outpatient visits but PDMP enactment in the presence of MCL was associated with lower odds of chronic pain-related outpatient visits (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI:0.71-0.92). PDMP enactment was not associated with ED visits, irrespective of MCL. During a period of PDMP and MCL expansion, our findings suggest treatment shifts for persons with chronic pain away from outpatient settings, potentially related to increased use of cannabis for chronic pain management.

The burden of chronic pain in transgender and gender diverse populations: Evidence from a large US clinical database.

Chronic pain, affecting approximately 20% of the global population, is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Transgender individuals are disproportionately exposed to chronic pain risk factors compared with the cisgender population. This study compares the incidence of chronic pain between transgender and cisgender individuals and examines the impact of gender affirming hormone therapy, anxiety, and depression on chronic pain. The study analysed medical records data of 56,470 transgender men and 41,882 transgender women in the TrinetX database. Six cohorts were created: transgender women either receiving oestrogen or no intervention, transgender men receiving testosterone or no intervention and cohorts of cisgender males and females. Unmatched age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated. Then cohorts were matched on 22 chronic pain-associated covariates and the rate of new chronic pain diagnoses was compared between those receiving hormone therapy and those without. We observed significantly higher rates of chronic pain among transgender individuals compared with cisgender counterparts. Transgender men on testosterone therapy and transgender women on oestrogen therapy exhibited an increased likelihood of chronic pain diagnoses compared with those not receiving hormone therapy. Individuals with anxiety and depression were more likely to be diagnosed with chronic pain. This study demonstrates a significant burden of chronic pain in transgender individuals, with an increased risk among those receiving hormone therapy. Our study, the first to assess chronic pain in a large cohort of transgender patients, provides support for a potential association between hormone therapy and risk of chronic pain diagnosis. Further research is required to understand causal mechanisms and to develop improved screening and management of chronic pain in transgender populations. Our study, featuring the largest cohort of Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) individuals assembled to date, reveals critical disparities in chronic pain among TGD populations, notably those on hormone therapy, compared with the cisgender population. It highlights the urgent need for specialized screening and treatment for this vulnerable population, and research into hormone therapy's impact on pain. These insights aim to foster more effective, personalized healthcare, enhancing the well-being and quality of life for the TGD community.

Does diagnosis matter? Evaluating impact of pediatric chronic pain diagnosis on pain and function.

This study aimed to A) evaluate changes in pain and function following an outpatient interdisciplinary pain management program (IPMP) for children with different chronic pain conditions and B) explore differences in pain and function at baseline and discharge for different diagnoses. A retrospective chart review was performed for 488 children who participated in an outpatient IPMP. Children's pain and physical, social, and emotional functioning were assessed at initial evaluation, discharge, and one-to-two-month follow-up. Patients were stratified by diagnosis (complex regional pain syndrome [CRPS], headache, musculoskeletal pain, visceral pain, and widespread pain) to evaluate differences in pain and functioning at baseline and discharge. Children's pain and function improved from initial evaluation to discharge. Those with headache and musculoskeletal pain exhibited better baseline physical and emotional functioning than other diagnostic groups (p = 0.03; p = 0.005; p = 0.002; p = 0.04). Children with CRPS displayed the worst baseline physical functioning (p = 0.003). Those with widespread pain exhibited the worst baseline emotional functioning at both initial evaluation and discharge (p = 0.009; p = 0.007). Children with CRPS, visceral pain, and widespread pain undergoing treatment in an IPMP exhibited the most impaired baseline functioning, while those with musculoskeletal pain and headache were least impaired. All exhibited improvements in pain and function following the IPMP.

11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases chronic primary pain diagnoses in children and adolescents: representation of pediatric patients in the new classification system.

Chronic pain is common among children and adolescents; however, the diagnoses in the newly developed 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) chronic pain chapter are based on adult criteria, overlooking pediatric neurodevelopmental differences. The chronic pain diagnoses have demonstrated good clinical applicability in adults, but to date, no field study has examined these diagnoses to the most specific diagnostic level in a pediatric sample. The current study aimed to explore pediatric representation within the ICD-11, with focus on chronic primary pain. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) at a specialized pediatric pain center documented the symptoms of and assigned both ICD-10 and ICD-11 diagnoses to N = 402 patients. Using criteria-based computer algorithms, specific ICD-11 pain diagnoses were allocated for each documented pain location, with residual diagnoses (ie, "unspecified") assigned if criteria were not (fully) met. Within the ICD-11, the algorithms assigned specific pain diagnoses to most patients (73.6%). In ICD-10, HCPs could not specify a diagnosis for 5.2% of patients; the ICD-11 algorithm allocated a residual chronic primary pain diagnosis in 51.2%. Residual categories were especially prevalent among younger children, boys, patients with headaches, and those with lower pain severity. Overall, clinical utility of the ICD-11 was high, although less effective for chronic back pain and headache diagnoses. The latter also exhibited the lowest agreement between HCPs and algorithm. The current study underscores the need for evidence-based improvements to the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria in pediatrics. Developing pediatric coding notes could improve the visibility of patients internationally and improve the likelihood of receiving reimbursement for necessary treatments through accurate coding.

Association of cannabis use with patient-reported pain measures among adults with chronic pain in US states with medical cannabis programs

IntroductionMost Americans live in a state that has legalized cannabis as a medical treatment for pain, but it is unclear how chronic pain intensity relates to cannabis use. Our objective...

9. Chronic knee pain.

Chronic knee pain is defined as pain that persists or recurs over 3 months. The most common is degenerative osteoarthritis (OA). This review represents a comprehensive description of the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of OA of the knee. The literature on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic knee pain was retrieved and summarized. A modified Delphi approach was used to formulate recommendations on interventional treatments. Patients with knee OA commonly present with insidious, chronic knee pain that gradually worsens. Pain caused by knee OA is predominantly nociceptive pain, with occasional nociplastic and infrequent neuropathic characteristics occurring in a diseased knee. A standard musculoskeletal and neurological examination is required for the diagnosis of knee OA. Although typical clinical OA findings are sufficient for diagnosis, medical imaging may be performed to improve specificity. The differential diagnosis should exclude other causes of knee pain including bone and joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondylo- and other arthropathies, and infections. When conservative treatment fails, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids and radiofrequency (conventional and cooled) of the genicular nerves have been shown to be effective. Hyaluronic acid infiltrations are conditionally recommended. Platelet-rich plasma infiltrations, chemical ablation of genicular nerves, and neurostimulation have, at the moment, not enough evidence and can be considered in a study setting. The decision to perform joint-preserving and joint-replacement options should be made multidisciplinary. When conservative measures fail to provide satisfactory pain relief, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended including psychological therapy, integrative treatments, and procedural options such as intra-articular injections, radiofrequency ablation, and surgery.

Clinical Examination, Diagnosis, and Conservative Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review.

Chronic low back pain is one of the most frequent reasons for medical consultation. It is important to make the correct diagnosis to select the most appropriate treatment in a stepwise approach. In this narrative review, we focus on the clinical examination, the diagnosis, and the conservative treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain. Belgian guidelines for low back pain were used as a basis, followed by a snowball search starting from two articles. Besides that, the Cochrane database was consulted using the following research areas: "multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation", "physical examination of lumbar spine", and "rehabilitation back pain". Lastly, we took information from three handbooks. The diagnosis of low back pain starts with a thorough history, including red, yellow, orange, black, and blue flags. Physical, neurological, sensory, and motor testing is performed and complemented with specific tests for low back pain. With a focus on the conservative treatment, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are possible. For CNSLBP, conservative management is advised, starting with reassurance and clear patient education about the condition. While additional treatments, such as manipulation, massage, and acupuncture, can be considered, their effectiveness is not well supported by evidence. Our center emphasizes exercise within a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation program, and although evidence for this approach is limited, we have seen positive outcomes, including improved mobility, strength, and higher return-to-work rates, particularly with the David Spine Concept (DSC).

High-risk use of prescription opioids among patients treated for alcohol problems in New York State. A repeated cross-sectional study, 2005–2018

BackgroundPatients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and high-risk opioid use are at risk of serious complications. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with high-risk opioid use in patients with an alcohol use problem from 2005 to 2018. MethodsThis repeated cross-sectional study analyzed data from first admissions for alcohol treatment (2005–2018) to the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports merged with Medicaid Claims Data. High-risk opioid use was defined as opioid dose ≥50 morphine mg equivalents (MME) per day; opioid prescriptions overlapping ≥7 days; opioids for chronic pain >90 days or opioids for acute pain >7 days. ResultsPatients receiving ≥50 MME increased from 690 to 3226 from 2005 to 2010; then decreased to 2330 in 2018. From 2005–2011, patients with opioid prescriptions overlapping ≥7 days increased from 226 to 1594 then decreased to 892 in 2018. From 2005–2010, opioid use >7 days for acute pain increased from 133 to 970 and plateaued after 2010. From 2005–2018, patients who received opioids >90 days for chronic pain trended from 186 to 1655. White patients, females, age 36–55, patients with chronic and acute pain diagnoses had the highest rates of high-risk use. ConclusionsThe prevalence of high-risk opioid use in patients with alcohol use problems increased from 2005 to 2011, and generally decreased after 2010. However, prevalence of opioids >90 days for chronic pain trended up from 2005 to 2018. High-risk opioid use among patients with AUD emphasizes the need to develop interventional strategies to improve patient care.