Chinese Oral Cancer Patients' Pain Beliefs: An Application of Leventhal's Common-Sense Model.

BACKGROUND: Patients' pain beliefs are the main obstacle to effective pain management. Assessing and correcting negative perceptions is important for improving pain intensity and quality of life of patients with cancer pain. AIMS: To explore pain beliefs among oral cancer patients using the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation as a theoretical framework. The primary components of the model, cognitive representations, emotional representations, and coping responses, were examined. DESIGN: A qualitative method was used. SETTINGS: PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS:   METHODS: Semi-structured, qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with patients newly diagnosed with oral cancer in a tertiary care hospital. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Interviews with 15 patients revealed that the pain beliefs of patients with oral cancer included three themes: pain cognitive representations of oral cancer, pain emotional representations of oral cancer, and pain coping responses. CONCLUSIONS: Negative pain beliefs are common among oral cancer patients. This novel application of the self-regulatory model demonstrates that it can be used to capture the key pain beliefs (i.e., cognitions, emotions, and coping responses) of oral cancer patients within a single, unifying framework.

Racial and ethnic variations in caregiving-related physical, emotional, and financial strain during COVID-19 among those caring for adult cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Cancer caregiving is shown to be a burdensome experience in typical times. The purpose of this study was to describe cancer caregivers' emotional, physical, and financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared to preCOVID-19, and explore racial and ethnic variations in caregiver strain. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey using Lucid, LLC, incorporating quotas for race, ethnicity, gender and age. Caregivers had to be adults living in the USA and currently providing unpaid care to an adult cancer patient (i.e., during COVID-19) and prior to the pandemic. We assessed the caregivers' emotional, physical, and financial strain and asked them to compare to preCOVID-19 caregiving. Analyses included descriptive and linear regression adjusting for sociodemographic and caregiving-related variables. RESULTS: A total of 285 caregivers met eligibility, and most were nonHispanic white (72.3%) and female (59.6%). Based on a scale of "1: Much lower" to "5: Much higher", the financial, physical and emotional strain/stress experienced by caregivers compared to preCOVID-19 was, on average, 3.52 (SD: 0.82; range: 1-5) for financial strain, 3.61 (SD: 0.86; range: 1-5) for physical strain, and 3.88 (SD: 0.89; range: 1-5) for emotional stress. NonHispanic black caregivers were significantly more likely than nonHispanic white caregivers to indicate that caregiving-related financial strain was higher than preCOVID-19. Moreover, Hispanic caregivers compared to nonHispanic white caregivers reported caregiving-related emotional stress was higher than preCOVID-19. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a need to be attentive to racial and ethnic variations in emotional and financial strain and provide targeted support in clinical care and via public policy during a public health crisis.

Comparisons of Depression, Sexual Function, and Quality of Life Between Women With Gynecological Cancers and Race-Matched Healthy Controls.

BACKGROUND: Although higher incidence and mortality of gynecological cancer (GynCa) are documented in black compared with white women, few studies have documented quality of life (QOL) or healthy control comparisons. OBJECTIVE: This study compared depression, sexual function, and QOL between patients with GynCa and race-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Patients with GynCa and healthy controls completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Female Sexual Function Index, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General measures at baseline; GynCa patients were assessed again at 6 months post-radiation therapy (RT). RESULTS: Analyses included 84 participants (51% white, 49% black), including 28 GynCa patients and 56 controls with similar marital status. Compared with healthy controls, patients were younger, had a higher body mass index, and had more depression (P = .01); 82% of the patients and 71% of the healthy controls met criteria for sexual dysfunction at baseline (P = .29). Patients pre-RT had greater sexual dysfunction and lower QOL (P = .001) than controls did; patients at 6-month post-RT showed improved sexual function scores compared with pre-RT, with similar results to controls. White GynCa patients reported less sexual desire (P = .02), more pain (P = .05), and lower total Female Sexual Function Index scores (P = .01) than did black GynCa patients. Both black and white GynCa patients reported lower total QOL than their race-matched controls did (P = .07 and P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Women with GynCa reported more depression and lower QOL than did healthy controls pre-RT. Among GynCa patients, white women had more sexual dysfunction than black women did. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The differences in sexual dysfunction between white and black women with GynCa suggest developing guidelines directing routine sexual assessment and rehabilitation in women treated for GynCa.

Reencuentros con el dolor: Autoetnografía / Reuniting with pain: Self-ethnography

El recordar circunstancias que condujeron a sufrimiento en la vida es un proceso complejo; se revive situaciones que muchas veces se desean olvidar, pero que son parte importante en la construcción de la subjetividad. Nos pareció pertinente volver a revisar la experiencia de una de las investigadoras, sometida a varias intervenciones quirúrgicas y con dolor crónico. Se hizo uso del método autoetnográfico que, a través de indagar la memoria y la vivencia, busca reconocer los significados de dolor postquirúrgico que aporten al repensar el cuidado de enfermería. Este trabajo visibiliza las memorias de cuidado vividas alrededor del sufrimiento de dolor posquirúrgico, considerado uno de los principales problemas de calidad asistencial.

Remembering circumstances that led to suffering in life is a complex process, reviving situations that often wish to forget but are an important part in the construction of subjectivity. It seemed pertinent to revisit the experience of one of the researchers, who underwent several surgical interventions and with chronic pain. We used the autoethnographic method that, through investigating memory and experience, seeks to recognize the meanings of postsurgical pain that contribute to rethinking nursing care. This work brings together the memories of care lived around the suffering of post-surgical pain, considered one of the main problems of quality of care.

Parent responses to pediatric pain: The differential effects of ethnicity on opioid consumption.

OBJECTIVE: Within the context of the United States opioid epidemic, some parents often fear the use of opioids to help manage their children's postoperative pain. As a possible consequence, parents often do not dispense optimal analgesic medications to their children after surgery, putting their children at risk of suffering from postsurgical pain. The objective of this research was to assess ethnicity as a predictor of both pain and opioid consumption, and to examine how Hispanic/Latinx and Non-Hispanic White parents alter their child's opioid consumption in response to significant postsurgical pain. METHODS: Participants were 254 children undergoing outpatient tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy surgery and their parents. Longitudinal multilevel modeling examined changes in both parent-reported pain and hydrocodone/APAP consumption (mg/kg) on days 1 to 7 after surgery. RESULTS: Parent reports of postoperative pain were higher in Hispanic/Latinx patients compared to their Non-Hispanic White counterparts (ß = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.28, -0.01). There was also a significant interaction of ethnicity and pain on opioid consumption (ß = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.13). The relationship between parent perceived pain and opioid use was stronger for Non-Hispanic White children, suggesting that this group was more likely to consume opioids to help manage clinically significant postsurgical pain. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic/Latinx children might be at risk for undertreatment of surgical pain. Findings highlight the importance of assessing parent background and cultural beliefs as predictors of at home pain management and the potential effectiveness of tailored interventions that educate parents about monitoring and treating child postoperative pain.

Neural and sociocultural mediators of ethnic differences in pain.

Understanding ethnic differences in pain is important for addressing disparities in pain care. A common belief is that African Americans are hyposensitive to pain compared to Whites, but African Americans show increased pain sensitivity in clinical and laboratory settings. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying these differences are unknown. We studied an ethnicity- and gender-balanced sample of African Americans, Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites using functional magnetic resonance imaging during thermal pain. Higher pain report in African Americans was mediated by discrimination and increased frontostriatal circuit activations associated with pain rating, discrimination, experimenter trust and extranociceptive aspects of pain elsewhere. In contrast, the neurologic pain signature, a neuromarker sensitive and specific to nociceptive pain, mediated painful heat effects on pain report largely similarly in African American and other groups. Findings identify a brain basis for higher pain in African Americans related to interpersonal context and extranociceptive central pain mechanisms and suggest that nociceptive pain processing may be similar across ethnicities.

Pain Intensity among Community-Dwelling African American Older Adults in an Economically Disadvantaged Area of Los Angeles: Social, Behavioral, and Health Determinants.

BACKGROUND: Although social, behavioral, and health factors influence prevalence and intensity of pain, very few studies have investigated correlates of pain among economically disadvantaged older African American (AA) adults. OBJECTIVE: This study explored social, behavioral, and health correlates of pain intensity among community-dwelling AA older adults in an economically disadvantaged area of Los Angeles. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 740 AA older adults (age ≥ 55 years) was conducted in South Los Angeles between 2015 and 2018. Exploratory variables were age, gender, educational attainment, financial difficulties, living alone, marital status, smoking, drinking, pain-related chronic medical conditions (CMCs), and depressive symptoms. Dependent variable was pain intensity. Linear regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Age, financial difficulties, living alone, smoking, pain-related chronic medical conditions, and depressive symptoms were associated with pain intensity. Individuals with lower age, higher financial difficulties, those who lived alone, those with a higher number of pain-related chronic medical conditions, more depressive symptoms, and nonsmokers reported more pain intensity. Gender, educational attainment, marital status, and drinking were not associated with pain intensity. CONCLUSION: The results may help with the health promotion of economically disadvantaged AA older adults in urban areas.

Influence of racial disparities on patient-reported satisfaction and short- and long-term perception of health status after elective lumbar spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE In spine surgery, racial disparities have been shown to impact various aspects of surgical care. Previous studies have associated racial disparities with inferior surgical outcomes, including increased complication and 30-day readmission rates after spine surgery. Recently, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and satisfaction measures have been proxies for overall quality of care and hospital reimbursements. However, the influence that racial disparities have on short- and long-term PROs and patient satisfaction after spine surgery is relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of racial disparities on 3- and 12-month PROs and patient satisfaction after elective lumbar spine surgery. METHODS This study was designed as a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. The medical records of adult (age ≥ 18 years) patients who had undergone elective lumbar spine surgery for spondylolisthesis (grade 1), disc herniation, or stenosis at a major academic institution were included in this study. Patient demographics, comorbidities, postoperative complications, and 30-day readmission rates were collected. Patients had prospectively collected outcome and satisfaction measures. Patient-reported outcome instruments-Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale for back pain (VAS-BP), and VAS for leg pain (VAS-LP)-were completed before surgery and at 3 and 12 months after surgery, as were patient satisfaction measures. RESULTS The authors identified 345 medical records for 53 (15.4%) African American (AA) patients and 292 (84.6%) white patients. Baseline patient demographics and comorbidities were similar between the two cohorts, with AA patients having a greater body mass index (33.1 ± 6.6 vs 30.2 ± 6.4 kg/m2, p = 0.005) and a higher prevalence of diabetes (35.9% vs 16.1%, p = 0.0008). Surgical indications, operative variables, and postoperative variables were similar between the cohorts. Baseline and follow-up PRO measures were worse in the AA cohort, with patients having a greater baseline ODI (p < 0.0001), VAS-BP score (p = 0.0002), and VAS-LP score (p = 0.0007). However, mean changes from baseline to 3- and 12-month PROs were similar between the cohorts for all measures except the 3-month VAS-BP score (p = 0.046). Patient-reported satisfaction measures at 3 and 12 months demonstrated a significantly lower proportion of AA patients stating that surgery met their expectations (3 months: 47.2% vs 65.5%, p = 0.01; 12 months: 35.7% vs 62.7%, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS The study data suggest that there is a significant difference in the perception of health, pain, and disability between AA and white patients at baseline and short- and long-term follow-ups, which may influence overall patient satisfaction. Further research is necessary to identify patient-specific factors associated with racial disparities that may be influencing outcomes to adequately measure and assess overall PROs and satisfaction after elective lumbar spine surgery.

Pain assessment in elderly with dementia: Brazilian validation of the PACSLAC scale / Avaliação de dor em idosos dementados: validação da versão brasileira da escala PACSLAC

ABSTRACT Objective To validate the Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese in demented elderly and to analyze its measurement properties. Methods We evaluated 50 elderly with dementia, residing in a nursing home and with limited communication ability, when exposed to potentially painful situations. The tool was applied at two different moments. First, two interviewers applied it simultaneously, and the intensity of pain was asked based on the caregiver’s opinion. After 14 days, with no analgesic intervention, one of the interviewers applied it again. Results The sample comprised more females, aged over 80 years, with dementia due to Alzheimer, presenting musculoskeletal pain of moderate to severe intensity. The psychometric properties of the tool demonstrated appropriate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.827). The scale had excellent reproducibility, according to the intraclass correlation coefficient, and the tool has been duly validated. Conclusion The Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese had adequate measuring properties for use with elderly presenting limited communication.

RESUMO Objetivo Validar o Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese em idosos dementados e analisar as propriedades de suas medições. Métodos Foram avaliados 50 idosos dementados, residentes de uma casa de repouso e com capacidade de comunicação verbal limitada, quando expostos a situações potencialmente dolorosas. A ferramenta foi utilizada em dois momentos diferentes. Primeiro, foi aplicada por dois entrevistadores simultaneamente, e a intensidade da dor foi questionada com base na opinião do cuidador. Depois de 14 dias, sem intervenção de analgésico, a ferramenta foi aplicada novamente por um dos entrevistadores. Resultados A amostra teve predominância de mulheres, acima de 80 anos de idade, com demência de Alzheimer, apresentando dores musculoesqueléticas com intensidade moderada a grave. As propriedades psicométricas do instrumento demonstraram consistência interna adequada (coeficiente alfa de Cronbach de 0,827). A escala teve excelente reprodutibilidade, de acordo com o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse, e o instrumento demonstrou validade adequada. Conclusão O Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese teve propriedades de medição adequadas para idosos com limitações de comunicação.

The Pain Experience of Hispanic Americans: A Critical Literature Review and Conceptual Model.

UNLABELLED: Although the Hispanic population is a burgeoning ethnic group in the United States, little is known about their pain-related experience. To address this gap, we critically reviewed the existing literature on pain experience and management among Hispanic Americans (HAs). We focused our review on the literature on nonmalignant pain, pain behaviors, and pain treatment seeking among HAs. Pain management experiences were examined from HA patients' and health care providers' perspectives. Our literature search included variations of the term "Hispanic" with "AND pain" in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO databases. A total of 117 studies met our inclusion criteria. We organized the results into a conceptual model with separate categories for biological and/or psychological and sociocultural and/or systems-level influences on HAs' pain experience, response to pain, and seeking and receiving pain care. We also included information on health care providers' experience of treating HA patients with pain. For each category, we identified future areas of research. We conclude with a discussion of limitations and clinical implications. PERSPECTIVE: In this critical review of the literature we examined the pain and management experiences of the HA population. We propose a conceptual model, which highlights findings from the existing literature and future areas of research.

Comparison of tramadol and lornoxicam in intravenous regional anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial / Comparação de tramadol e lornoxicam em anestesia regional por via intravenosa, um estudo randomizado e controlado

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tourniquet pain is one of the major obstacles for intravenous regional anesthesia. We aimed to compare tramadol and lornoxicam used in intravenous regional anesthesia as regards their effects on the quality of anesthesia, tourniquet pain and postoperative pain as well. METHODS: After the ethics committee approval 51 patients of ASA physical status I-II aged 18-65 years were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups. Group P (n = 17) received 3 mg/kg 0.5% prilocaine; group PT (n = 17) 3 mg/kg 0.5% prilocaine + 2 mL (100 mg) tramadol and group PL (n = 17) 3 mg/kg 0.5% prilocaine + 2 mL (8 mg) lornoxicam for intravenous regional anesthesia. Sensory and motor block onset and recovery times were noted, as well as tourniquet pains and postoperative analgesic consumptions. RESULTS: Sensory block onset times in the groups PT and PL were shorter, whereas the corresponding recovery times were longer than those in the group P. Motor block onset times in the groups PT and PL were shorter than that in the group P, whereas recovery time in the group PL was longer than those in the groups P and PT. Tourniquet pain onset time was shortest in the group P and longest in the group PL. There was no difference regarding tourniquet pain among the groups. Group PL displayed the lowest analgesic consumption postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Adding tramadol and lornoxicam to prilocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia produces favorable effects on sensory and motor blockade. Postoperative analgesic consumption can be decreased by adding tramadol and lornoxicam to prilocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor relacionada ao torniquete é um dos maiores obstáculos para a anestesia regional intravenosa (ARIV). Nosso objetivo foi comparar tramadol e lornoxicam usados em ARIV em relação aos seus efeitos sobre a qualidade da anestesia, dor relacionada ao torniquete e dor no pós-operatório. MÉTODOS: Após a aprovação do Comitê de Ética, 51 pacientes com estado físico ASA I-II entre 18-65 anos foram inscritos. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos. Grupo P (n = 17) recebeu 3 mg/kg de prilocaína a 0,5%; Grupo PT (n = 17) 3 mg/kg de prilocaína a 0,5% + 2 mL (100 mg) de tramadol e Grupo PL (n = 17) de 3 mg/kg de prilocaína a 0,5% + 2 mL (8 mg) de lornoxicam para ARIV. O início do bloqueio sensorial e motor e os tempos de recuperação foram registrados, bem como a dor relacionada ao torniquete e o consumo de analgésico no pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os tempos de início do bloqueio sensorial foram mais curtos nos grupos PT e PL, enquanto que os tempos de recuperação correspondentes foram mais longos do que os do Grupo P. Os tempos de início do bloqueio motor nos grupos PT e PL foram menores do que no Grupo P, enquanto que o tempo de recuperação do grupo PL foi maior do que os dos grupos P e PT. O tempo para início da dor relacionada ao torniquete foi menor no Grupo P e maior no Grupo PL. Não houve diferença em relação à dor relacionada ao torniquete entre os grupos. O Grupo PL apresentou o menor consumo de analgésicos no pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: A adição de tramadol e lornoxicam à prilocaína para ARIV produz efeitos favoráveis sobre o bloqueio sensorial e motor. O consumo de analgésicos no pós-operatório pode ser reduzido com a adição de tramadol e lornoxicam à prilocaína em ARIV.

Characterization of risk factors for adjuvant radiotherapy-associated pain in a tri-racial/ethnic breast cancer population.

Pain related to cancer or treatment is a critical quality of life issue for breast cancer survivors. In a prospective study of 375 patients with breast cancer (enrolled during 2008-2014), we characterized the risk factors for adjuvant radiotherapy (RT)-associated pain. Pain score was assessed at pre-RT and post-RT as the mean of 4 pain severity items (ie, pain at its worst, least, average, and now) from the Brief Pain Inventory with 11-point numeric rating scale (0-10). Pain scores of 4 to 10 were considered clinically relevant pain. The study consists of 58 non-Hispanic whites (15%), 78 black or African Americans (AA; 21%), and 239 Hispanic whites (HW; 64%). Overall, the prevalence of pre-RT, post-RT, and RT-associated clinically relevant pain was 16%, 31% and 20%, respectively. In univariate analysis, AA and HW had significantly higher pre-RT and post-RT pain than non-Hispanic whites. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, pre-RT pain was significantly associated with HW and obesity; post-RT pain was significantly associated with AA, HW, younger age, ≥2 comorbid conditions, above-median hotspot volume receiving >105% prescribed dose, and pre-RT pain score ≥4. Radiotherapy-associated pain was significantly associated with AA (odds ratio [OR] = 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-9.82), younger age (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.24-4.79), and 2 or ≥3 comorbid conditions (OR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.32-7.08; OR = 4.61, 95% CI = 1.49-14.25, respectively). These risk factors may help to guide RT decision-making process, such as hypofractionated RT schedule. Furthermore, effective pain management strategies are needed to improve quality of life in patients with breast cancer with clinically relevant pain.

The Relationship between Total Fibroid Burden and First Trimester Bleeding and Pain.

BACKGROUND: Few studies comment on the association between fibroids and symptoms among pregnant women. These studies generally are retrospective and do not to assess the influence of number of tumours or their volume on risk of symptoms. METHODS: Right from the Start is a prospective cohort that enrolled pregnant women from the southeastern USA between 2000 and 2012. In the first trimester, all participants had standardised ultrasounds to determine the presence or absence of fibroids. Symptoms were queried in a telephone survey. We used polytomous logistic regression to model odds of bleeding, pain, or both symptoms in relation to increasing total fibroid number and volume among white and black women. RESULTS: Among 4509 participants, the prevalence of fibroids was 11%. Among those reporting symptoms (70%), 11% reported only bleeding, 59% reported only pain, and 30% reported both symptoms. After adjusting for age, race, parity, hypertension, smoking, alcohol use, and study site, increasing number of fibroids was associated with pain [odds ratio (OR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00, 1.33] and both symptoms [OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08, 1.45] but not with bleeding among all women. Fibroid volume was not associated with symptoms among black women, but white women with the smallest fibroid volumes were more likely to report both symptoms than those without fibroids [OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.17, 2.72]. CONCLUSIONS: Very large tumours are not requisite for experiencing symptoms, as small fibroids and increasing number of tumours are associated with pain and both symptoms.

A Vivência da Dor nas Práticas de Saúde Coletiva: implicações para a saúde da pessoa idosa

A dor crônica é uma importante questão nas práticas de saúde coletiva, envolvendo dimensões socioculturais e psicossociais na experiência e expressão do fenômeno doloroso, mobilizando uma multiplicidade de recursos humanos e tecnológicos para o cuidado da cronicidade da dor. A dor é uma experiência sensorial e emocional desagradável associada a uma lesão tissular - real ou potencial -, e descrita em termos de tal dano. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi compreender a percepção dos idosos de Bambuí sobre a abordagem da dor no campo de práticas da saúde coletiva e sua influência na concepção do idoso sobre si, seu corpo e sua saúde. A pesquisa foi realizada na perspectiva da abordagem qualitativa de cunho antropológico e fundamentada nos pressupostos da etnografia. O universo de pesquisa foi constituído por 57 idosos (27 homens e 30 mulheres) com idades variando entre 62 e 96 anos. A técnica de coleta de dados utilizada foi entrevista individual com roteiro semiestruturado.

Foi utilizado o modelo dos signos, significados e ações, desenvolvido por Corin e colaboradores na coleta e análise dos dados, para permitir a sistematização dos elementos do contexto que participam da construção de maneiras típicas de pensar e agir associada a vivência da dor. Discutiu-se o sentido da vivência da dor nas práticas de saúde coletiva em três artigos que abordam: a alteridade da dor, a alteridade do corpo do velho e o cuidado da dor nas práticas de saúde coletiva. A vivência da dor modula o conceito de saúde/doença dos entrevistados e medeia a produção de alteridade nas práticas de saúde coletiva, configurando a necessidade de um diálogo alteritário que nem sempre se estabelece com o profissional que cuida. É fundamental que este diálogo aconteça para que seja transmutado em cuidado que alivia e conforta. A vivência álgica desafia os serviços públicos de saúde, particularmente em relação às tecnologias das relações de cuidado, pois precisa encontrar na relação com a alteridade o acolhimento necessário de sua expressão - condição basilar no campo da saúde

Ethnicity influences pain after ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy.

BACKGROUND: The influence of ethnicity on pain complicating ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy (US-guided PLB) and its clinical impact has not been reported to date. METHODS: Consecutive adults from a multiethnic background, undergoing an US-guided PLB, were independently assessed for pain up to 6 h after the procedure. Clinical and demographic parameters were analysed to determine independent predictors of significant pain after PLB. Willingness to undergo a repeat procedure was assessed 1 week after PLB. RESULTS: Data from 203 patients (median age 50 years; 43.9% female; ethnicity: Malay 41.5%, Chinese 40%, Indian 18%; median BMI 27.7 kg/m; median waist circumference 92.0 cm) were analysed. Pain after US-guided PLB was experienced in 133 (61.1%) patients, with severity grades as follows: none, n=81 (39.9%); mild, n=56 (27.6%); moderate, n=51 (25.1%); and severe, n=15 (7.4%). Analgesia requirements correlated well with severity of pain. Independent predictors of significant pain after PLB (moderate and severe categories) in patients included age less than 50 years [odds ratio (OR) 3.0], female sex (OR 3.7), Indian ethnicity (OR 2.9) and Malay ethnicity (OR 2.7), but not number of needle passes, BMI and educational levels. Patients who experienced moderate/severe pain were less willing to undergo a repeat PLB compared with those who experienced mild/no pain (60.9 vs. 82.8%, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Ethnicity has an important role in the development of pain after US-guided PLB. This has a significant impact on willingness to repeat the procedure.

[Foreign-born report more problems after total hip arthroplasty than Swedish-born. Unclear why, but better informed and educated interpreters may be needed]. / Utrikesfödda rapporterar mer problem efter total höftprotes än svenskfödda - Oklart varför, men bättre information och välutbildade tolkar kan behövas.

In 2013, 23.3% of the Swedish population of 9.7 million had foreign background and 15.4% were born outside the country. Immigrants, just as natives, suffer or will suffer from hip disease, which could involve surgery with total hip arthroplasty. Our aim was to explore the association between birthplace (in or outside Sweden), socio-economic factors and outcome after primary total hip arthroplasty. Records from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register were cross-matched with population-based registers from the National Board of Health and Welfare and Statistics Sweden.  Preoperatively immigrants reported more problems with self-care (P≤0.02), usual activities (P≤0.05) and anxiety/depression (P≤0.005) as well as higher levels of pain. Postoperatively immigrants reported more problems in all EQ-5D dimensions. Improved patient information, better training of medical staff and better access to interpreters could facilitate these patients' contacts with health care and also contribute to improved outcome.

Automated pain intervention for underserved minority women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Minority patients with breast cancer are at risk for undertreatment of cancer-related pain. The authors evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of an automated pain intervention for improving pain and symptom management of underserved African American and Latina women with breast cancer. METHODS: Sixty low-income African American and Latina women with breast cancer and cancer-related pain were enrolled in a pilot study of an automated, telephone-based, interactive voice response (IVR) intervention. Women in the intervention group were called twice weekly by the IVR system and asked to rate the intensity of their pain and other symptoms. The patients' oncologists received e-mail alerts if the reported symptoms were moderate to severe. The patients also reported barriers to pain management and received education regarding any reported obstacles. RESULTS: The proportion of women in both groups reporting moderate to severe pain decreased during the study, but the decrease was significantly greater for the intervention group. The IVR intervention also was associated with improvements in other cancer-related symptoms, including sleep disturbance and drowsiness. Although patient adherence to the IVR call schedule was good, the oncologists who were treating the patients rated the intervention as only somewhat useful for improving symptom management. CONCLUSIONS: The IVR intervention reduced pain and symptom severity for underserved minority women with breast cancer. Additional research on technological approaches to symptom management is needed.

Racial discrimination's influence on smoking rates among American Indian Alaska Native two-spirit individuals: does pain play a role?

High rates of racial discrimination and non-ceremonial tobacco smoking exist among American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) Two-Spirit/LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) populations. The authors examined whether or not pain mediates between racial discrimination and smoking among Two-Spirits. Two-Spirit adults (n=447) from seven urban U.S. locations were surveyed during the HONOR project. The Indigenist stress coping model was used as framework in which to conduct descriptive, bivariate and regression analyses. A majority of the participants reported smoking (45.2%) and pain (57%). Pain was found to mediate the association between racial discrimination and smoking. Racial discrimination appears to be a significant factor influencing tobacco smoking and health behaviors within Two-Spirit populations. Effective tobacco cessation and/or prevention planning for Two-Spirits and others who experience frequent racial discrimination, stress, and trauma should also consider the influence of pain. Pain may serve as the embodiment of discrimination, and this possibility requires future research