Resources for education on pain and its management: a practitioner's compendium.

Knowing enough information about pain and its management to adequately care for people in pain may seem challenging, especially for primary care providers who provide the bulk of pain management services in the United States. Few, if any, primary care providers received training beyond the names of a few analgesics and the rudiments of pain assessments. Fortunately, many national and international societies provide health care practitioners with pain-related education, resources, and tools. Education may be tied to pain certification or specialization, or provided solely for the benefit of practitioners. Due in large part to the World Wide Web, much information about pain is readily available online.

Recognition and management of diabetic neuropathy.

Pain and disability associated with diabetic neuropathy have economic, social, and emotional consequences. Because these complications impact patients during the prime of their lives, physicians should screen and manage patients at risk. Improvement in glycemic and lipid management, glycemic variability, and lifestyle interventions such as smoking cessation should limit disease progression. Patients who have symptomatic disease should be treated, targeting a 50% improvement in pain within 4 weeks. Physicians should also strive to improve function and comorbidities such as sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety. Patient education is critical for treatment adherence and prevention of serious complications. Consequences associated with diabetic neuropathy include nontraumatic amputations and silent ischemia; thus proper foot care and education regarding "warning signs" of silent ischemia are necessary.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain: clinical and quality-of-life issues.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is estimated to be present in 50% of people living with diabetes mellitus (DM). Comorbidities of DM, such as macrovascular and microvascular changes, also Interact with DPN and affect its course. In patients with DM, DPN Is the leading cause of foot ulcers, which in turn are a major cause of amputation in the United States. Although most patients with DPN do not have pain, approximately 11% of patients with DPN have chronic, painful symptoms that diminish quality of life, disrupt sleep, and can lead to depression. Despite the number of patients affected by DPN pain, little consensus exists about the pathophysiology, best diagnostic tools, and primary treatment choices. This article reviews the current knowledge about and presents recommendations for diagnostic assessment of DPN pain based on a review of the literature.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain: case studies.

Three case reports in this article illustrate the diagnostic methods used and the treatment course encountered for many patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). Each case addresses an aspect of DPNP: pain that appears to be refractory to initial therapy, DPNP occurring with other medical conditions, and nondiabetlc neuropathy occurring in patients with diabetes mellitus. Together, these cases bring clarity to the confusing clinical experience for patients who have decreased sensation in combination with burning pain, and they apply the consensus guidelines for DPNP. Recently approved medications by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of DPNP offer hope for many patients whose pain was thought to be refractory to treatment.

Consensus guidelines: treatment planning and options. Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Despite the number of patients affected by diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP), little consensus exists about the pathophysiology, best diagnostic tools, and primary treatment choices. Theories about the causes of DPNP are inextricably linked with the causes of diabetic neuropathles, yet most patients with such neuropathies do not experience pain. The factors that differentiate patients with pain from those without remain unknown and are the subject of much research. When choosing treatment for patients with DPNP, physicians are confronted with a myriad of choices, none of which has been shown to be effective for all patients. This article reviews the evidence for these treatments and attempts to guide physicians in choosing those treatments based on evidence from well-designed clinical trials to support their use. Two agents, duloxetine and pregabalin, are formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of DPNP. In addition, several other agents, including the tricyclic class of antidepressants, have been effective in clinical trials. Ultimately, treatment choice must also Include consideration of adverse effects, individual patient factors such as comorbidities, and often cost.

Prescribing opioids in primary care: avoiding perils and pitfalls.

Millions of Americans have chronic pain for which chronic opioid therapy may be warranted. In light of recent abuse of these medications, clinicians must exercise caution and develop uniform approaches to prescribing. It is possible to assess for opioid risk and safely prescribe opioids.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain: recognition and management.

The occurrence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is linked to poor glycemic control over time. While most people never develop diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) as a consequence of DPN, enough of them do that we must have effective options for the management of this disabling condition. Two years ago there were no formally approved medications for the treatment of DPNP, and now there are two medications with Food and Drug Administration approval for DPNP. One of these medications, duloxetine has been established to significantly improve pain and to address depression by its reuptake inhibition of norepinephrine and serotonin. This article examines the epidemiology of DPNP, its underlying pathogenesis, necessary evaluation methods, and treatment options available with a focus on the role of duloxetine.

Neuroendocrine implications of opioid therapy.

Opioid analgesics are given to people with pain. These medications are highly effective for relieving pain and are generally considered to have little or no end-organ toxi-cities. Although they are generally feared because of their potential for abuse, diversion, and psychological dependence, little attention is given to their neuroendocrine consequences. They are known to have central nervous systems effects and are now understood to impact the regulation of gonadotropic hormones. Providing meaningful informed consent requires disclosure about the risks associated with lowered gonadotropic hormone levels.

The psychiatric management of end-of-life pain and associated psychiatric comorbidity.

Involvement by psychiatrists in the care of patients who are terminally ill has been limited historically; however, psychiatrists increasingly are participating in the care of these people who are facing the most challenging times of their lives. Pain management is considered to be an area of subspecialization for psychiatrists beyond their traditional role of being psychopharmacologists and psychotherapists. Biologically focused psychiatrists are able to address neuropsychiatric disorders, including pain and depression in the medically ill, and actively improve the quality of life for dying patients and their family members. This article provides a review of the recent literature that has addressed the involvement of psychiatrists in end-of-life care. Beginning with an example of the scientific aspects of cancer-related treatment from a patient's perspective, and into the major treatment considerations, this article addresses pain, its recognition, and management challenges when the end of life approaches. The prompt recognition of frequently overlooked and underestimated concomitant depressions, delirium, dementia, and other mental disorders is important for mental health specialists. The importance of psychiatric care for patients who are terminally ill and the role of psychiatrists in the phase of care also are discussed.