Perceptions in Orthopedic Surgery on the Use of Cannabis in Treating Pain: A Survey of Musculoskeletal Trauma Patients-Results From the Canadian POSIT Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the patient-reported expectations regarding cannabis for pain following musculoskeletal (MSK) trauma and patients' perceptions and attitudes regarding its use. DESIGN: A cross-sectional retrospective survey-based study. SETTING: Three orthopaedic clinics in Ontario (Level-1 trauma center, Level-2 trauma center, rehabilitation clinic). PATIENTS SELECTION CRITERIA: Adult patients presenting to the clinics from January 24, 2018, to March 7, 2018, with traumatic MSK injuries (fractures/dislocations and muscle/tendon/ligament injury) were administered an anonymous questionnaire on cannabis for MSK pain. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Primary outcome measure was the patients' perceived effect of cannabis on MSK pain, reported on a continuous pain scale (0%-100%, 0 being no pain, and 100 unbearable pain). Secondary outcomes included preferences, such as administration route, distribution method, timing, and barriers (lack of knowledge, concerns for side effects/addiction, moral/religious opposition, etc.) regarding cannabis use. RESULTS: In total, 440 patients were included in this study, 217 (49.3%) of whom were female and 222 (50.5%) were male, with a mean age of 45.6 years (range 18-92 years, standard deviations 15.6). Patients estimated that cannabis could treat 56.5% (95% CI 54.0%-59.0%) of their pain and replace 46.2% (95% CI 42.8%-49.6%) of their current analgesics. Nearly one-third (131/430, 30.5%) reported that they had used medical cannabis and more than one-quarter (123/430, 28.6%) used it in the previous year. Most felt that cannabis may be beneficial to treat pain (304/334, 91.0%) and reduce opioid use (293/331, 88.5%). Not considering using cannabis for their injury (132/350, 37.7%) was the most common reason for not discussing cannabis with physicians. Higher reported pain severity (ß = 0.2/point, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, P = 0.005) and previous medical cannabis use were associated with higher perceived pain reduction (ß = 11.1, 95% CI 5.4-16.8, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One in 3 orthopaedic trauma patients used medical cannabis. Patients considered cannabis could potentially be an effective option for managing traumatic MSK pain and believed that cannabis could reduce opioid usage following acute musculoskeletal trauma. These data will help inform clinicians discussing medical cannabis usage with orthopaedic trauma patients moving forward.

Nocebo expectations rather than placebo expectations affect topical pain relief: A randomized clinical trial.

Patients' expectations and beliefs regarding the potential benefits and harms of medical interventions may induce placebo and nocebo effects, and affect the response to pain therapies. In a randomized clinical trial, we examined the effect of placebo and nocebo expectations on pain relief and adverse events (AEs) in association with a topical treatment among 65 cancer survivors experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. Participants received either a 1% camphor-based topical pain patch or a placebo treatment for 14 days. We measured pain severity with the worst pain item of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) at baseline and 14 days and treatment expectations at baseline with validated expectation questionnaires. We found that high vs. low nocebo expectations decreased pain severity improvements by 2.5 points (95% confidence interval [CI] -3.8 to -1.2; p<0.001) on a 0-10 numeric rating scale of the BPI and pain response rate by 42.7% (95% CI 0.2-0.6; p<0.001) at day 14, irrespective of placebo expectation status or treatment arms. Patients with high vs. low nocebo expectations in the true arm reported 22.4% more unwanted AEs. High nocebo expectations were associated with increased AEs by 39.5% (odds ratio: 12.0, 95% CI 1.2, 145.5; p=0.029) and decreased pain response in the true arm vs. placebo. Our study demonstrated that nocebo expectations, rather than placebo expectations, elevate the risk of AEs and compromise the effect of topical pain interventions. The findings raise the possibility that nocebo expectations may worsen somatic symptoms through heightening central pain amplification and should be further investigated.

Efficacy of Medical Ozone for Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain with Abnormal Mitochondrial Redox State: Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain is multifaceted and 20% of the adult population lives with severe chronic pain and experience symptoms such as intense pain, depression, weakness, sleep problems, decreased quality of life and decreased emotional well-being. OBJECTIVES: This paper studies the efficacy of trigger point injections with ozone compared to standard steroid injection or combination therapy for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in patients with abnormal mitochondrial redox state. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective randomized clinical study conducted with 51 patients experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. SETTING: Medical Research Institute Hospital, Alexandria University. METHODS: By computer-generated random numbers the 51 patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A (17 patients) received ozone injection, group B (17 patients) received betamethasone injection and group C (17 patients) received combined ozone and betamethasone injections. The groups were compared based on the intensity of pain and correction of mitochondrial redox state of the patients. RESULTS: Three days after intervention, the visual analog scale (VAS) scores reported by patients were lower in group A compared to group B (with a mean difference 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.15-2.39 (P < 0.02). One and 3 weeks after intervention, VAS scores of patients were lower in groups A and C compared to group B. At one week the mean difference between A and B was 1.2, with a 95% CI of 0.15-2.25 (P < 0.02) and the mean difference between C and B was 1.73 with a 95% CI of 0.69-2.78 (P < 0.001). At 3 weeks the mean difference between A and B was 1.5 with a 95% CI of 0.2-2.87 (P < 0.01) and the mean difference between C and B was 2.27 with a 95% CI of 0.93-3.60 (P < 0.0001). The reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio after intervention was higher in groups A and C compared to group B (P > 0.008). The mitochondrial copy number was higher in group A compared to group B (P < 0.002). LIMITATION: This study didn't allow for the comparison of the experimental groups with a placebo or control group for musculoskeletal pain conditions in orderto establish the role of an abnormal mitochondrial redox state on the pathogenesis of patients from an ethical view. CONCLUSIONS: Ozone therapy or combined ozone and betamethasone treatment are  effective techniques for management of pain since it produced a significant reduction of muscle pain and increase of the pain free interval experienced by patients. Ozone therapy causes pain improvement which increases with time and it improves muscle oxygenation and mitochondrial function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Medical Research Institute (IORH: IOR 00088812) and was registered at the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (www.pactr.org) under the identification number PACTR201908620943471. The registration this experiment started on 07/08/2019. This study's protocol followed the CONSORT guidelines and was performed under the relevant guidelines.

New opioid prescription claims and their clinical indications: results from health administrative data in Quebec, Canada, over 14 years.

OBJECTIVES: Describe new opioid prescription claims, their clinical indications and annual trends among opioid naïve adults covered by the Quebec's public drug insurance plan (QPDIP) for the fiscal years 2006/2007-2019/2020. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective observational study was conducted using data collected between 2006/2007 and 2019/2020 within the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System, a linkage administrative data. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of opioid naïve adults and new opioid users was created for each study year (median number=2 263 380 and 168 183, respectively, over study period). INTERVENTION: No. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE AND ANALYSES: A new opioid prescription was defined as the first opioid prescription claimed by an opioid naïve adult during a given fiscal year. The annual incidence proportion for each year was then calculated and standardised for age. A hierarchical algorithm was built to identify the most likely clinical indication for this prescription. Descriptive and trend analyses were performed. RESULTS: There was a 1.7% decrease of age-standardised annual incidence proportion during the study period, from 7.5% in 2006/2007 to 5.8% in 2019/2020. The decrease was highest after 2016/2017, reaching 5.5% annual percentage change. Median daily dose and days' supply decreased from 27 to 25 morphine milligram equivalent/day and from 5 to 4 days between 2006/2007 and 2019/2020, respectively. Between 2006/2007 and 2019/2020, these prescriptions' most likely clinical indications increased for cancer pain from 34% to 48%, for surgical pain from 31% to 36% and for dental pain from 9% to 11%. Inversely, the musculoskeletal pain decreased from 13% to 2%. There was good consistency between the clinical indications identified by the algorithm and prescriber's specialty or user's characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: New opioid prescription claims (incidence, dose and days' supply) decreased slightly over the last 14 years among QPDIP enrollees, especially after 2016/2017. Non-surgical and non-cancer pain became less common as their clinical indication.

Effect of Loratadine for Pegfilgrastim-Induced Bone Pain.

AIMS: Breast cancer patients on chemotherapy who receive pegfilgrastim to prevent neutropenia may experience severe bone pain as a side effect. Traditional treatment recommendations include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, opioids, and/or antihistamine use. However, little research was found comparing these interventions. The study aim was to address the gaps in literature and to explore the use of and perceived effectiveness of loratadine versus acetaminophen or NSAIDs in women with breast cancer treated with pegfilgrastim. This study also sought to understand how patients became aware of loratadine or other treatments for management of bone pain. DESIGN/METHODS: This cross-sectional study used survey methods to collect data from 66 adult female breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with pegfilgrastim. RESULTS: The incidence of bone pain was 45% (n = 30) in our sample, but more than half (n = 45; 69%) of the women took either acetaminophen, NSAIDs, or loratadine alone or in combination to prevent bone pain. All medication were rated as effective by patients, with acetaminophen slightly more effective than loratadine, and loratadine more effective than NSAIDs. CONCLUSIONS: Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and loratadine are easily available and inexpensive. However, unlike acetaminophen and NSAIDs, loratadine is dosed once a day and well tolerated with minimal adverse effects. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Randomized controlled trials are needed to adequately assess the effectiveness of all three medication options. Because little is known about optimal use of any of these medications for pegfilgrastim-induced bone pain, it is also important to identify the optimal time to initiate treatment and ideal treatment duration.

Perceptions in orthopedic surgery on the use of cannabis in treating pain: a survey of patients with spine pain (POSIT Spine).

BACKGROUND: Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite guidelines discouraging opioids as first-line treatment, opioids remain the most prescribed drugs for back pain. There is renewed interest in exploring the potential medical applications of cannabis, and with the recent changes in national legislation there is a unique opportunity to investigate the analgesic properties of cannabis. METHODS: This was a multi-center survey-based study examining patient perceptions regarding cannabis for spine pain. We included patients presenting with back or neck pain to one of three Orthopedic clinics in Ontario. Our primary outcome was perceived effect of cannabis on back pain, while secondary outcomes were perceptions regarding potential applications and barriers to cannabis use. RESULTS: 259 patients participated in this study, 35.3% (90/255) stating they used cannabis medically. Average pain severity was 6.5/10 ± 0.3 (95% CI 6.2-6.8). Nearly three-quarters were prescribed opioids (73.6%, 148/201), with oxycodone/oxycontin (45.9% 68/148) being the most common, and almost half of (49.3%, 73/148) had used an opioid in the last week. Patients estimated cannabis could treat 54.3% ± 4.0 (95% CI 50.3-58.3%) of their spine pain and replace 46.2% ± 6. 6 (95% CI 39.6-52.8%) of their current analgesics. Age (ß = - 0.3, CI - 0.6-0.0), higher pain severity (ß = 0.4, CI 0.1-0.6) and previous cannabis use (ß = 14.7, CI 5.1-24.4) were associated with a higher perceived effect of cannabis. Patients thought cannabis would be beneficial to treat pain (129/146, 88.4%), and reduce (116/146, 79.5%) or eliminate opioids (102/146, 69.9%). Not considering using cannabis for medical purposes (65/150, 43.3%) was the number one reported barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Patients estimated medical cannabis could treat more than half of their spine pain, with one in three patients already using medical cannabis. 79% of patients also believe cannabis could reduce opioid usage. This data will help support more research into cannabis for musculoskeletal pain.

Association of initial opioid prescription duration and an opioid refill by pain diagnosis: Evidence from outpatient settings in ten US health systems.

OBJECTIVE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain cautioned that inflexible opioid prescription duration limits may harm patients. Information about the relationship between initial opioid prescription duration and a subsequent refill could inform prescribing policies and practices to optimize patient outcomes. We assessed the association between initial opioid duration and an opioid refill prescription. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults ≥19 years of age in 10 US health systems between 2013 and 2018 from outpatient care with a diagnosis for back pain without radiculopathy, back pain with radiculopathy, neck pain, joint pain, tendonitis/bursitis, mild musculoskeletal pain, severe musculoskeletal pain, urinary calculus, or headache. Generalized additive models were used to estimate the association between opioid days' supply and a refill prescription. RESULTS: Overall, 220,797 patients were prescribed opioid analgesics upon an outpatient visit for pain. Nearly a quarter (23.5%) of the cohort received an opioid refill prescription during follow-up. The likelihood of a refill generally increased with initial duration for most pain diagnoses. About 1 to 3 fewer patients would receive a refill within 3 months for every 100 patients initially prescribed 3 vs. 7 days of opioids for most pain diagnoses. The lowest likelihood of refill was for a 1-day supply for all pain diagnoses, except for severe musculoskeletal pain (9 days' supply) and headache (3-4 days' supply). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term prescription opioid use increased modestly with initial opioid prescription duration for most but not all pain diagnoses examined.

Nuevos avances en el conocimiento de la historia natural de la displasia fibrosa / News advances in the knowledge of natural history of the fibrous dysplasia

La displasia fibrosa (DF) es una enfermedad infrecuente del hueso, no hereditaria, producida por una mutación activadora del gen GNAS, responsable de codificar la unidad a-estimuladora de la proteína G (Gsa). La presentación clínica de la enfermedad es muy variada, pues adopta desde formas asintomáticas hasta otras marcadamente sintomáticas. En los últimos años, el análisis exhaustivo de bases de datos de pacientes con DF ha permitido conocer más sobre su historia natural. En este artículo se revisa la información actualmente disponible sobre algunos aspectos que ayudarán al mejor enfoque clínico del paciente, como son: la utilidad clínica de los marcadores óseos, los factores pronósticos para el desarrollo de fracturas, la DF como condición predisponente para el desarrollo de tumores específicos, nuevas perspectivas sobre la fisiopatología del dolor óseo y nuevas estrategias terapéuticas. Un mayor conocimiento sobre la historia natural de esta enfermedad finalmente redundará en la mejor calidad de vida de los pacientes con DF. (AU)

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is an infrequent, non-hereditary bone disease caused by a somatic mutation of the GNAS gene, responsible for encoding the a-subunit of the G-protein (Gsa). The clinical presentation of the disease varies greatly, with some patients being asymptomatic and others markedly symptomatic. The exhaustive analysis of the database from patients with FD has allowed to learn more about the natural history of this disease. This article reviews the current information available on the clinical utility of bone markers, the prognostic factors for the occurrence of fractures, the evidence supporting as a predisposing condition for the development of specific tumors, new perspectives on the pathophysiology of bone pain, and emerging therapeutic strategies. A greater understanding of the natural history of this disease will allow to make better medical decisions, which will ultimately contribute to improve FD patients' quality of life. (AU)

Perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes ingresados a la Unidad de Dolor Músculo-esquelético del Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación del Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile / Epidemiological profile of patients admitted to the Pain Unit Musculoskeletal Service Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile

Pain is an individual and subjective experience, recognized as an important public health issue. Further, pain is a complex phenomenon which needs a transdisciplinary approach. Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted in a Pain Unit. Methods: We performed an observational prospective study that analyzed the medical records of patients who attend the Pain Clinic, at the Rehabilitation Unit in the University of Chile Clinical Hospital, between April 2012 and April 2013. Results: Women are more frequently affected by pain (78.50 percent), with a mean age of 54 years old. The mean duration of pain was 1.76 years and the most common presentation was low-backache (54.21 percent) with moderate intensity. Most of the patients were taking painkillers (75.70 percent), preferably aracetamol and NSAIDs. 47.66 percent suffered from mixed pain and a 92.52 percent manifested chronic pain. Myofascial pain and osteoarthritis were the more frequent causes. After admission, a more appropriated treatment was prescribed in all of the patients, most of them consisting in opioids and antiepileptic drugs, associated with interventional techniques (60.75 percent). As a consequence, 67.09 percent of the patients had a significant decrease in pain intensity. Conclusion: It is necessary to generate epidemiological research lines that support health policies and allows a transdisciplinary pain management...

O papel dos anti-inflamatórios não hormonais no tratamento da dor musculoesquelética / The role of non-steroid anti-inflammatory in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain

Os anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINEs) estão entre os medicamentos mais comumente prescritos em todo o mundo e são responsáveis por cerca de um quarto de todas as notificações de reações adversas. Têm sido amplamente indicados em pacientes com doença reumática e outras doenças musculoesqueléticas - população de maior risco de graves complicações gastrintestinais (GI). Os AINEs tópicos são administrados para o tratamento de diversas condições: lesões musculoesqueléticas, dor pós-operatória, neuralgia pós-herpética, periodontite, úlceras aftosas e ceratoses actínicas. Dados mostram que metade dos AINEs é indicada para osteoartrite (OA). Sua administração tópica oferece como benefício menor incidência de efeitos adversos sistêmicos, como úlcera péptica e hemorragia GI, na metabolização do medicamento nos tecidos afetados...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory are among the drugs more usually prescribed in all over the world which is responsible for about a fourth of all notifications of adverse reactions. It has been widely indicated in patients with rheumatic disease and others musculoskeletal disease - high risk population of severe gastrointestinal complications (GI). The topic AINEs are managed for the treatment of many conditions: musculoskeletal injury, postoperative pain, postherpetic neuralgy, periodontic, mouth ulcer and actinic keratosis. Data show that half of AINEs are indicated for osteoarthritis (OA). Its topic administration provides benefits like less incidence of systemic adverse effects like peptic ulcer and GI bleeding in drug-metabolizing in affected tissues...

Estudo da automedicação para dor musculoesquelética entre estudantes dos cursos de enfermagem e medicina da Pontifícia Universidade Católica - São Paulo / Study of self-medication for musculoskeletal pain among nursing and medicine students at Pontifícia Universidade Católica - São Paulo

Objetivo: Estudar a automedicação para dor entre estudantes de cursos de medicina e enfermagem da PUCSP em comparação com estudantes das outras áreas de conhecimento. Material e métodos: Esses dados foram obtidos em dois grupos: A - estudantes da área da saúde e B - estudantes da área de ciências humanas e exatas. Utilizou-se um questionário elaborado pelos autores. A análise estatística usou o teste do qui-quadrado e de Fischer. Resultados: Na área de saúde há um predomínio do gênero feminino, e nas outras áreas um predomínio masculino. Na área de saúde a maior parte dos estudantes cursa medicina, e nas outras áreas engenharia. Observa-se um alto índice de automedicação em ambos os grupos, constatando-se que os participantes do grupo da área de saúde usam significativamente mais opioides e anti-inflamatórios que os demais estudados. Conclusão: A frequência do uso de medicamentos para dor é maior no grupo de estudantes da área de saúde, e a automedicação é praticada igualmente entre estudantes da área de saúde e das demais áreas. .

Objective: To study the self-medication for pain among students of medicine and nursing of the PUCSP compared with students from other knowledge areas. Material and methods: Data were obtained in two groups: A - students from the health knowledge area, and B - students of law and engineering. It was used a questionnaire developed by the authors. Statistical analysis used the Chi-square test and the Fischer. Results: In relation to gender, there is a predominance of women in the health group and a male majority in other one. In the health group there was a greater number of medical students, and in the control group of engineering. It is observed a high degree of selftreatment in both groups. It appears that participants in the health group have used more anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid than the others subjects studied. Conclusion: The frequency of medication for pain is higher in the group of health students, and self-medication is equally practiced among students of health and other areas. .