Pain-driven emergency department visits and food insecurity: a cross-sectional study linking Canadian survey and health administrative data.

BACKGROUND: As the leading cause of emergency department visits in Canada, pain disproportionately affects socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. We examine the association between household food insecurity and individuals' pain-driven emergency department visits. METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional study linking the Canadian Community Health Survey 2005-2017 to the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System 2003-2017. Food insecurity was measured using a validated questionnaire. We excluded individuals with missing food insecurity status, individuals younger than 12 years and jurisdiction-years with partial emergency department records. We assessed emergency department visits driven by pain at different sites (migraine, other headaches, chest-throat pain, abdomen-pelvis pain, dorsalgia, joint pain, limb pain, other pain) and their characteristics (frequency, cause, acuity and time of emergency department visit) in Ontario and Alberta. We adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and prior non-pain-driven emergency department visits in the models. RESULTS: The sample contained 212 300 individuals aged 12 years and older. Compared with food-secure individuals, marginally, moderately and severely food-insecure people had 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.68), 1.64 (95% CI 1.37-1.96) and 1.99 (95% CI 1.61-2.46) times higher adjusted incidence rates of pain-driven emergency department visits, respectively. The association was similar across sexes and significant among adults but not adolescents. Food insecurity was further associated with site-specific pain, with severely food-insecure individuals having significantly higher pain incidence than food-secure individuals. Severe food insecurity predicted more frequent, multicause, high-acuity and after-hours emergency department visits. INTERPRETATION: Household food insecurity status is significantly associated with pain-driven emergency department visits in the Canadian population. Policies targeting food insecurity may reduce pain and emergency department utilization.

Antinociceptive effect of N-(9,13b-dihydro-1H-dibenzo[c, f]imidazo[1,5-a]azepin-3-yl)-2-hydroxybenzamide on different pain models in mice

Abstract N-(9,13b-dihydro-1H-dibenzo[c,f]imidazo[1,5-a]azepin-3-yl)-2-hydroxybenzamide (DDIAHB) is a new drug developed through molecular modelling and rational drug design by the molecular association of epinastine and salicylic acid. The present study was designed to assess the possible antinociceptive effects of DDIAHB on different pain models in male ICR mice. DDIAHB exerted the reductions of writhing numbers and pain behavior observed during the second phase in the formalin test in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, DDIAHB increased the latency in the hot-plate test in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, intragastric administration DDIAHB caused reversals of decreased pain threshold observed in both streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy and vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy models. Additionally, intragastric pretreatment with DDIAHB also caused reversal of decreased pain threshold observed in monosodium urate-induced pain model. We also characterized the possible signaling molecular mechanism of the antinociceptive effect-induced by DDIAHB in the formalin model. DDIAHB caused reductions of spinal iNOS, p-STAT3, p-ERK and p-P38 levels induced by formalin injection. Our results suggest that DDIAHB shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Moreover, the antinociceptive effect of DDIAHB appear to be mediated by the reductions of the expression of iNOS, p-STAT3, p-ERK and p-P38 levels in the spinal cord in the formalin-induced pain model.

Alleviation of neuropathic pain by trazodone in rats

Abstract Neuropathic pain is generally characterised by an abnormal sensation (dysesthesia), an increased response to painful stimuli (hyperalgesia), and pain in response to a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain (allodynia). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of trazodone (5mg/kg and 10mg/kg) on peripheral neuropathic pain induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation in rats. Mechanical hyperalgesia, cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed by performing the pinprick, acetone, and hot plate tests, respectively. Biochemically, lipid peroxidation level and total calcium levels were measured. However, trazodone administration (5 and 10 mg/ kg i.p.) for 21days significantly diminished partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain along with areduction in oxidative stress and calcium levels. The results of the present study suggest that trazodone is effective in attenuating partial sciatic nerve ligation-inducedpainful neuropathic states, which may be attributed to decreased oxidative stress and calcium levels.

Valoración de dolor al paciente en la unidad de terapia de adultos / Pain assessment for the patient in the adult therapy unit

La mirada histórica retrospectiva del dolor nos posiciona frente a su coexistencia con la humanidad. Cada cultura tuvo su peculiar manera de afrontarlo, darle significado y tomar sus medidas de alivio. La ciencia, desde su lugar, ha desarrollado conceptos explicando razones y orígenes de su presencia. Las ciencias médicas en su anhelo de aliviar las dolencias de las personas, elaboraron escalas de evaluación del dolor. En las terapias intensivas, donde el estado de conciencia del paciente varía acorde a la necesidad que se produce a fin de resolver su patología o el motivo de ingreso a este servicio, resulta necesario valorar su estado neurológico para poder así determinar con precisión la escala de evaluación del dolor que aporte el resultado más oportuna según el momento preciso. Debido a los cuidados que lleva a cabo el profesional de enfermería con los internados, es quien permanece mayor tiempo con ellos; pudiendo cultivar una relación interpersonal más profunda, y debido a lo cual, no sólo colaborar en el alivio del dolor, sino también, si fuera necesario, ayudar a que encuentre el sentido a éste, en palabras de Travelbee. Para poder implementar dicha idea, el objetivo del presente protocolo, se define el siguiente objetivo: «Tomar acuerdo e implementar el uso adecuado y continuo de las escalas del dolor, en el paciente de terapia intensiva de adultos, de acuerdo a su grado de conciencia, a fin de reducir el dolor durante su estadía de internación[AU]

The retrospective historical view of pain positions us in front of its coexistence with humanity. Each culture had its own way of dealing with it, giving it meaning, and taking its relief measures. Science, from its place, has developed concepts explaining reasons and origins of its presence. The medical sciences in their desire to alleviate people's ailments, developed pain assessment scales. In intensive therapies, where the patient's state of consciousness varies according to the need that occurs in order to resolve their pathology or the reason for admission to this service, it is necessary to assess their neurological status in order to accurately determine the scale of pain assessment that provides the most timely result according to the precise moment. Due to the care carried out by the nursing professional with the internees, it is he who stays with them the longest; being able to cultivate a deeper interpersonal relationship, and due to which, not only collaborate in the relief of pain, but also, if necessary, help it find meaning to it, in the words of Travelbee. In order to implement this idea, the objective of this protocol, the following objective is defined: "Agree and implement the adequate and continuous use of pain scales, in the adult intensive care patient[AU]

A visão histórica retrospectiva da dor nos posiciona diante de sua convivência com a humanidade. Cada cultura tinha sua própria maneira de lidar com isso, dando-lhe sentido e tomando suas medidas de alívio. A ciência, a partir de seu lugar, desenvolveu conceitos que explicam as razões e as origens de sua presença. As ciências médicas, em seu desejo de aliviar as doenças das pessoas, desenvolveram escalas de avaliação da dor. Nas terapias intensivas, onde o estado de consciência do paciente varia de acordo com a necessidade que ocorre para a resolução de sua patologia ou o motivo da admissão neste serviço, é necessário avaliar seu estado neurológico para determinar com precisão a escala de avaliação da dor que fornece o resultado mais oportuno de acordo com o momento preciso. Devido aos cuidados realizados pelo profissional de enfermagem com os internos, é ele quem fica com eles por mais tempo; ser capaz de cultivar um relacionamento interpessoal mais profundo, e por isso, não só colaborar no alívio da dor, mas também, se necessário, ajudá-la a encontrar sentido para ela, nas palavras de Travelbee. Para concretizar essa ideia, objetivo deste protocolo, é definido o seguinte objetivo: "Acordar e implementar o uso adequado e contínuo de escalas de dor, no paciente adulto em terapia intensiva, de acordo com seu grau de consciência, a fim de reduzir dor durante a sua internação[AU]

Avaliação da dor e fatores associados em pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS / Assessment of pain and associated factors in people living with HIV/AIDS / Evaluación del dolor y factores asociados en las personas que viven con el VIH/SIDA

Objetivo: avaliar a dor em pessoas que vivem com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana/síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida e relacionar com fatores sociodemográficos, clínicos, sintomas depressivos e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Método: estudo descritivo, analítico, observacional, de corte transversal e de caráter quantitativo. Participaram trezentas e duas (302) pessoas de um serviço de atendimento especializado. Foram utilizados instrumentos para avaliação de dados sociodemográficos, clínicos, sintomas depressivos e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Empregou-se análise descritiva, bivariada e regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: foram encontrados 59,27% de presença de dor de intensidade leve, recorrente na cabeça, com interferência no humor, a maioria do sexo feminino e em indivíduos sem/baixa escolaridade. As mulheres apresentaram maior probabilidade de ter dores moderadas ou severas. Pessoas de 49 a 59 anos apresentaram maior intensidade de dor do que as de 18 a 29 anos. Sintomas depressivos e dor são variáveis diretamente proporcionais. Quanto maior o nível da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde e escolaridade, menor a possibilidade da presença de dor. Conclusão: a presença de dor encontrada é preocupante e possui associação com o sexo feminino, sem/baixa escolaridade, pior nível da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde e presença de sintomas depressivos.

Objective: to evaluate pain in people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and to relate it to sociodemographic and clinical factors, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life. Method: descriptive, analytical, observational, cross-sectional and quantitative study. Three hundred and two (302) people assisted at a specialized care service participated in the study. Instruments were used to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical data, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Descriptive, bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used. Results: the incidence of pain of mild intensity was 59.27%, recurrent in the head, with interference in mood, mostly affecting females and individuals with no schooling/low schooling. Women were more likely to have moderate or severe pain. People aged 49 to 59 years had greater pain intensity than people aged 18 to 29 years. The variables depressive symptoms and pain were directly proportional. The higher the health-related quality of life and schooling, the lower was the possibility of presence of pain. Conclusion: presence of pain is of concern and has association with female sex, lack of schooling/low schooling, worse level of health-related quality of life and presence of depressive symptoms.

Objetivos: evaluar el dolor en las personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana/síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida y relacionarse con factores sociodemográficos, clínicos, síntomas depresivos y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Método: estudio descriptivo, analítico, observacional, de corte transversal y de carácter cuantitativo. Participaron trescientos y dos (302) personas de un servicio de atención especializado. Se utilizaron instrumentos para la evaluación de datos sociodemográficos, clínicos, síntomas depresivos y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Se empleó el análisis descriptivo, bivariada y regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: se encontró un 59,27% de presencia de dolor de intensidad leve, recurrente en la cabeza, con interferencia en el humor, la mayoría del sexo femenino y en individuos sin/baja escolaridad. Las mujeres presentaron una mayor probabilidad de sufrir dolores moderados o severos. Las personas de 49 a 59 años presentaron mayor intensidad de dolor que las de 18 a 29 años. Los síntomas depresivos y dolor son variables directamente proporcionales. Cuanto mayor es el nivel de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y la escolaridad, menor es la posibilidad de la presencia de dolor. Conclusión: la presencia de dolor encontrado es preocupante y tiene asociación con el sexo femenino, sin/baja escolaridad, peor nivel de la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud y la presencia de síntomas depresivos.

Prevalence of Pain Diagnoses and Burden of Pain Among Active Duty Soldiers, FY2012.

INTRODUCTION: Soldiers are at risk for acute and chronic pain due to the mental and physical challenges of military duties and ongoing training for force readiness. With the burden of pain on any individual attributable across pain sources, a broad perspective that goes beyond prior characterizations of pain is important. We aim to further the understanding of pain's effects among non-deployed active duty soldiers and the Military Health System (MHS), by describing prevalence of 10 painful conditions, reported pain levels, duration of pain and impact of pain on military duty limitations. METHODS: Data are from the MHS Data Repository including outpatient MHS direct care encounters, claims for outpatient purchased care from civilian providers, and vital records, for all soldiers continuously enrolled in TRICARE and not deployed in FY 2012. Ten pain-related diagnostic categories were conceptually derived for this analysis and identified using ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes. We report the FY 2012 prevalence at the soldier-level (N = 297,120) for each pain category as a primary diagnosis, as well as in any diagnostic position, and at the soldier-level for reported pain level, duration, and military duty limitations. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained prior to analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 63% of soldiers had at least one pain diagnosis and 59% had a primary pain diagnosis during FY 2012. Back and neck pain (22%), non-traumatic joint disorders (28%), and other musculoskeletal pain (30%) were the most frequent categories for primary diagnosis. Nearly two-thirds of soldiers had a primary pain diagnosis in more than one category, and 23% in four or more categories. Moderate or severe pain levels were reported at least once during the year by 55% of soldiers who had a primary pain diagnosis. In the subsample of soldiers with primary pain in the first quarter, duration and chronicity of pain diagnoses varied by pain category: the back and neck pain category was the most common for both persistent pain occurring in each quarter of FY 2012 (23%) and chronic pain lasting for at least 3 mo (62%). In most pain categories, the majority of soldiers were released without duty limitations. CONCLUSION: These data provide a deeper understanding of pain diagnoses and burden of pain among active duty soldiers. A substantial proportion of soldiers with pain diagnoses were seen for pain self-reported as only mild, or that did not result in significant restrictions in military duty limitations. However, given the prevalence of multiple pain diagnoses and common reports of moderate or severe pain and long duration, complex interventions may be required to minimize the effect of pain on force readiness. This encounters-based analysis is likely an underestimate of presence of pain, and does not include contextual factors that could better describe the true effect of pain among this population.

Rasch Analysis of a Behavioral Checklist for the Assessment of Pain in Critically Ill Adults.

Patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) are often unable to report their pain, which is a problem since untreated pain is associated with negative health outcomes. The use of behavioral pain scales are recommended for the detection of the presence of pain in this vulnerable population. Previous validation studies have used classical techniques, and several psychometrics properties remain unknown. In this paper, data obtained from a behavioral checklist of dichotomized items was utilized to evaluate the instrument's dimensionality, its construct validity and its capacity to distinguish between levels of pain by using Rasch measurement. A sample of 239 ICU patients was used to collect the data. Results showed that, while unidimensionality was acceptable, concerns remained about the local independence and item fit indices. A third of the items showed misfit. Finally, while items had a great reliability (0.97), persons' measures had a rather low reliability (0.62) and only 1.28 strata of pain could be distinguished. The narrow range of pain levels in the sample could explain this poor performance and further study is needed, with a sample exhibiting a wider range of pain levels.

Pain Intensity During Ultrasound Assessment of Uterine Cavity and Tubal Patency With and Without Painkillers: Prospective Observational Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the pain intensity and incidence of mild to severe pain during the ultrasound assessment of the uterine cavity and tubal patency using saline, air and saline, and foam as contrasts with and without painkiller. DESIGN: Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: Private clinic. PATIENTS: Three hundred infertile women who were consecutively submitted to uterine cavity and tubal patency assessment by ultrasound using saline, air, and foam in single exam between October 2012 and November 2013. INTERVENTIONS: No painkillers were used until March 2013 when we started offering an effervescent codeine tablet containing paracetamol 500 mg and codeine phosphate 30 mg approximately 1 hour before the procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pain intensity measured with an 11-point (0-10) numerical rating scale and incidence of moderate/severe levels of pain (numerical rating scale > 3) during the main components of the procedure (speculum insertion, catheter insertion, saline infusion, air and saline infusion, foam infusion, and after the procedure [0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 24 hours]) were assessed. The incidence of moderatesevere pain was significantly lower in women using painkillers considering any moment of the procedure: 49 of 175 (28%) versus 65 of 125 (52%); relative risk, .54; 95% confidence interval, .40-.72; p < .001; number needed to treat, 4. Less women presented with moderate/severe pain during air and saline compared with foam infusion: 31 of 300 (10%) versus 75 of 300 (25%); p < .001; relative risk, .41, 95% confidence interval, .28-.61. CONCLUSION: The incidence of moderate/severe pain during the ultrasound assessment of the uterine cavity and tubal patency is common. Our results suggest that using paracetamol + codeine before the procedure reduces the pain level, but randomized controlled trials are required.

[Pain assessment in routine care : A prospective observational study in an orthopedic unit]. / Schmerzerfassung in der Routineversorgung : Eine prospektive Beobachtungsstudie auf einer orthopädischen Station.

INTRODUCTION: Although well-established guidelines give advice on how to use analgesics, measure pain, and organize pain treatment, many patients still suffer from avoidable severe pain. We assume one reason for this is that pain is inadequately addressed in routine patient contacts. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the extent to which pain was addressed during patient contacts in routine orthopedic care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective observational study in an orthopedic unit of a university hospital, we invited physicians and nurses during their routine patient contacts to be observed by independent, trained monitors. The monitors systematically assessed all pain-related aspects, which were analyzed descriptively afterwards. RESULTS: The monitors documented 572 physician-patient contacts with 7 physicians and 108 patients and 578 nurse-patient contacts with 12 nurses and 102 patients. Physicians and nurses asked their patients about pain in 20 and 16 % of the patient contacts, respectively. While in physician-patient contacts, patients most frequently addressed their current pain situation (in 35 % of contacts), in nurse-patient contacts, patients most frequently addressed their need for analgesics (52 %). Patients rated their pain intensity in 16 % of physician-patient contacts vs. 17 % of nurse-patient contacts. CONCLUSIONS: Using a comprehensive external monitoring procedure, we found that systematic pain assessment was not optimally standardized and implemented for systematic, individualized pain therapy by physicians or nurses in our routine care setting.

Pain assessment according to the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain classification in patients with spinal cord injury referred to a multidisciplinary pain center.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of pain types in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) according to the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain (ISCIP) classification. SETTING: This study was conducted in a multidisciplinary pain center. METHODS: Socio-demographic and clinical data were examined and ISCIP classification was applied. RESULTS: Sixty-six individuals (51±13 years) with SCI had pain, a lesion older than 5 years in 67% and a pain history older than 5 years in 54% of patients. According to the ISCIP classification, nociceptive pain was present in 58% (musculoskeletal pain) and 3% (visceral pain) of the patients. At-level, below-level neuropathic pain and other neuropathic pain were observed, respectively in 53, 42 and 5% of patients. Unknown pain type was found in 8% of patients. Patients with complete lesions showed significantly more frequent neuropathic pain (P=0.021) and more frequent at-level SCI pain (P=0.00) compared with those with incomplete lesions. Patients with paraplegia had more often at-level pain (P=0.00), whereas patients with tetraplegia reported more often below-level pain (P=0.00). Patients had severe pain (mean intensity: 8.2 (±1.6) on a 0 to 10 numerical scale) and showed high grades of pain chronicity. Mild to severe depression and anxiety were present, respectively in 53 and 56% of patients. The health-related quality of life was low. CONCLUSION: The use of the ISCIP classification in a clinical setting is mirroring the very complex pain situation in patients with SCI referred to a multidisciplinary pain center, and it might be an important step for adequate pain therapy.

AN APP for the Assessment of Pain Intensity: Validity Properties and Agreement of Pain Reports When Used with Young People.

OBJECTIVE: Painometer is a mobile application that includes four pain intensity scales: the Numerical Rating Scale, the Faces Pain Scale-Revised, the mechanical visual analogue scale and the Colored Analogue Scale. The aim of this study was to analyze the validity and agreement of the intensity reports provided by these scales and their traditional counterparts. METHODS: Participants were 180 young people (mean age = 14.88; SD= 1.64; age range: 12-19). They were asked to report the maximum intensity of their most frequent pain in the previous three months using traditional and electronic versions of the scales. They also reported their level of fatigue and pain catastrophizing. Construct validity was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and by convergent and discriminant validity. Criterion validity was assessed as concurrent validity. Agreement was calculated using the Bland and Altman method. Analyses were conducted for two confidence intervals (CI): 95% and 80%. RESULTS: CFA demonstrated that the four electronic versions of the scales measure a single factor. All the scales showed a) moderate to high convergent validity, b) adequate discriminant validity with fatigue ratings, and c) adequate concurrent validity with pain catastrophizing ratings. Results also show that traditional and electronic versions of the four scales are in agreement, at least at the 80% CI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that pain intensity scores reported with the scales in Painometer are valid, and concordant with their traditional counterparts.

The epidemiology and economic consequences of pain.

Pain is considered a major clinical, social, and economic problem in communities around the world. In this review, we describe the incidence, prevalence, and economic burden of pain conditions in children, adolescents, and adults based on an electronic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for articles published from January 1, 2000, through August 1, 2014, using the keywords pain, epidemiology, burden, prevalence, and incidence. The impact of pain on individuals and potential risk factors are also discussed. Differences in the methodology and conduct of epidemiological studies make it difficult to provide precise estimates of prevalence and incidence; however, the burden of pain is unquestionably large. Improved concepts and methods are needed in order to study pain from a population perspective and further the development of pain prevention and management strategies.

Avaliação da atividade farmacológica do óleo essencial de Piper rivinoides Kunth / Pharmacological activity of the assessment of the essential oil of Piper rivinoides Kunth

A familia Piperaceae é composta por cinco gêneros e suas espécies são utilizadas para vßrios fins medicinais.Objetivo: investigar o efeito antinociceptivo do óleo essencial de Piper rivinoides Kunth (OEPR). Métodologia:Estudo fitoquímico: Foi utilizado o método MDGC(cromatografia a gßs multi-dimensional) para identificar oscomponentes de OEPR. Modelo de Contorção abdominal: camundongos foram estimulados com ßcido acético0,8 por cento ip. As contorções foram contadas durante 10 minutos. Antagonistas adrenérgicos, imidazolínicos e opióidestambém foram usados neste modelo. Modelo de capsaicina: Capsaicina foi injetada na pata posterior direita (1,6mig/pata). Contou-se o tempo de lambedura por 5 minutos. Teste de formalina: Formalina foi injetada na patadireita (20 mig/pata). A contagem foi realizada em duas fases (1¬ - 5 min e 2¬ - após 15 min a 30 min). Tail Flick:A cauda foi exposta a luz (40 W) e avaliada a retirada da cauda. Teste de placa quente: Observou-se a retirada dapata dos animais tratados. Von frey e edema da pata: Carragenina foi injetada na pata direita (300 mig/pata). 1, 3 e6 horas após o estímulo foram avaliados o número de retirada da pata e o edema. Do macerado do coxim da patados experimentos de Von frey e edema foram dosados proteína e citocinas. Rota rod e habituação em campoaberto: camundongos foram colocados no aparelho de rota rod e verificado o tempo de permanência. No campoaberto foi verificada quantidade de crossing e rearing. Indução de úlcera: Os animais foram tratados com etanola 70 por cento e OEPR e quantificado o número de úlceras. Os animais foram tratados (v.o) com OEPR (0,1, 1, 10, 100e 300 mg / kg) ou veículo 1 hora antes. O tratamento com os antagonistas (ip) foram realizados 20 minutos antesde OEPR, veículo ou clonidina. Morfina e diclofenaco foram os fßrmacos padrões. Todos os experimentos foramrealizados de acordo com o CEUA (033/09), com 5 animais/grupo...

The Piperaceae family consists of five genera and their species are used for various medicinal purposes.Objective: To investigate the analgesic effect of the essential oil of Piper rivinoides Kunth (OEPR).Methodology: Phytochemical studies: We used the MDGC method (multi-dimensional gas chromatography) toidentify OEPR compounds. Writhing Model: Mice were challenged with acetic acid (0.8%, ip). The contortionsare counted for 10 minutes. Adrenergic, imidazoline and opioids antagonists were also used in this model.Capsaicin model: Capsaicin was injected into the hind paw (1.6 µg/paw). It was counted the licking time for 5minutes. Formalin test: Formalin was injected into the right paw (20 µg/paw). Counting was done in two stages(1st one for 5 min and 2nd one 15 min after the first, for 15 min). Tail Flick: The tail was exposed to light (40 W)and the withdrawal of the tail was evaluated. Hot plate test: The paw withdrawal from the hot plate was analyzed.Von frey and paw edema: Carrageenan was injected into the right paw (300 µg/paw). 1, 3 and 6 hours after thestimulation the number of paw withdrawal were assessed and edema. Protein and cytokines from paw cushionmash (Von frey and edema experiments) were measured. Rota rod and Open field: mice were placed on the rodroute set and checked the length of permanence on the instrument. The amount of crossing and rearing wasverified in the open field. Induction of ulcers: Animals were treated with 70% ethanol and OEPR and the numberof ulcers were quantified. The animals were treated (po) with OEPR (0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 300 mg/kg) or vehicle 1hour before. Treatment with antagonists (ip) were conducted 20 min before OEPR, vehicle or clonidine.Morphine and diclofenac were standard drugs. All experiments were performed in accordance with the CEUA(033/09), 5 animals/group...

[Structured assessment for orthopaedic patients - method, results, and diagnostic potential]. / Strukturierte Anamnese bei orthopädischen Patienten - Methode, Resultate und diagnostisches Potenzial.

BACKGROUND: Review of medical records demonstrates a moderate to low correlation (r = 0.57 to 0.22) between daily limitations and symptoms based upon patient history. This correlation could be improved with the ideal questionnaire which would assess patients using the same questions with the same response options in the same order. Therefore, a simple patient questionnaire for orthopaedic patients was developed and validated to assess 10 symptoms, 12 limitations of daily life and patients' well-being. The concept was to provide a universal questionnaire that could be used for all patients and provide the basis for a structured assessment that would then provide standardised and comparable patient information. Additional localisation of symptoms would allow a differential diagnosis. For example, pain in the groin/thigh while standing and walking may be caused by osteoarthritis of the hip or osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Further physical investigation and diagnostic imaging may lead to the diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This method was employed as part of routine quality control from November 2006 to October 2008 by two orthopaedic surgeons in their outpatient clinic in a tertiary health care hospital. Structured assessment was performed in all patients regardless of their pathology (hip, knee, shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, foot) or situation (before/after surgery, conservative therapy). The completeness, symptom score, daily limitation score, and well-being as well as the relationships between symptom score, daily limitation score, and well-being were calculated. Answers regarding walking capacity and effective walking capacity could be compared. Several patients with combined orthopaedic pathologies were closely analysed. RESULTS: Data of 2642 structured assessments in 1777 patients (957 women, 53.9 %) were evaluated. The average age was 64.4 years. The data completeness on the front page was 96.2 and 86.3 % on the back page. The mean value for symptoms (daily limitations) was 34.31 (27.45), and the median was 32.5 (25.0). The distributions of the symptom score and daily limitation score were asymmetrical; 80 % of the patients were below 50 and 38, respectively. Well-being was excellent in 21.4 %, good in 24 %, moderate in 24.2 %, poor in 11.4 %, and very poor in 16.7 %. The main symptom was pain on movement/walking, with an average of 60.32. The symptom score, daily limitation score, and well-being were found to have a correlation to each other (Spearman's r between 0.55 and 0.63). Thirty-nine patients reported an inability to walk, although 36 could walk in the office (1 had paraplegia and 2 had paraparesis caused by lumbar stenosis). Combined pathologies in orthopaedic patients were found for cervical-shoulder, lumbar-hip, and lumbar-knee pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: A routine structured assessment can be performed with extra effort. A structured assessment provides patient information in a standardised form so that such information can be compared as well as allow a differential diagnosis. It is possible that answers to the questionnaire represent patients' subjective assessment rather than reality.

Comparisons of patient and physician assessment of pain-related domains in cancer pain classification: results from a large international multicenter study.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study is to compare physician clinical assessment with patient-rated evaluations in the classification of cancer pain patients into groups with different pain levels, according to the presence of incident/breakthrough pain, neuropathic pain, and psychological distress. Average pain in the previous 24 hours was used as the dependent variable in multivariate linear regression models, and incident/breakthrough pain, neuropathic pain, and psychological distress were tested as regressors; in the assessment of regressors, physicians used the Edmonton Classification System for Cancer Pain, whereas patients used structured self-assessment questionnaires. The amount of variability in pain intensity scores explained by the 2 sets of regressors, physician and patient rated, was compared using R(2) values. When tested in 2 separate models, patient ratings explained 20.3% of variability (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.2-25.3%), whereas physician ratings explained 6.1% (95% CI = 2.2-9.8%). The higher discriminative capability of patient ratings was still maintained when both regressor sets were introduced in the same model, with R(2) indices of 17.6% (95% CI = 13.0-22.2%) for patient ratings vs 3.4% (95% CI = .9-5.9%) for physician ratings. Patients' self-assessment of subjective symptoms should be integrated in future cancer pain classification systems. PERSPECTIVE: Our results indicate that patient-structured assessment of incident/breakthrough pain, neuropathic pain, and psychological distress significantly contributes to the discrimination of cancer patients with different pain levels. The integration of patient self-assessment tools with more objective clinician assessments can improve the classification of cancer pain.

[Validity and responsiveness of the Scales for the Assessment of Functioning at Work]. / Validität und Änderungssensitivität der Skalen zur Erfassung der Funktionsfähigkeit im Beruf (SE-FFB).

The Scales for the Assessment of Functioning at Work (SE-FFB) allow for an ICF-oriented assessment of patient reported work performance and symptoms at work. The aim of the study is to test convergent end discriminate validity through correlations with measures that are typically applied in rehabilitation and responsiveness by means of description of the change in the course of rehabilitation (t0=beginning of the rehabilitation, t1=3 months after rehabilitation). The sample comprises 249 rehabilitation patients with musculoskeletal diseases. The correlations of the SE-FFB with the criteria of convergent and discriminate validity are in accordance with the expectations. For women medium effects were found, indicating better work performance and fewer symptoms 3 months after rehabilitation, for men the effects were small. The SE-FFB allows for a reliable, valid and responsive assessment of the working situation.

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the PROMIS pain quality item bank.

PURPOSE: The assessment of pain sensation and quality is a key component in understanding the experience of individuals with chronic pain. This study evaluated the factor structure of the patient-reported outcome measurement information system (PROMIS) pain quality item bank. METHODS: As part of the PROMIS project, we developed a pool of 37 pain quality items, based on a review of existing pain questionnaires and development of new items. A web-based survey was designed and completed by 845 members of the general population and 967 individuals with different types of chronic pain. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on a random split-half sample of the data to examine the factor structure of the 37 PROMIS pain quality items in the general population and in a chronic pain sample. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in the holdout sample. RESULTS: The EFA of the pain quality items resulted in comparable six-factor solutions for the general and chronic pain samples: (1) pulling/tugging pain; (2) tingling/numbness pain; (3) sharp/stabbing pain; (4) dull/aching pain; (5) pounding/pulsing pain; and (6) affective pain. The confirmatory factor analysis in the holdout sample supported this factor structure. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the derived scales based on their factor scores.

Pain and associated substance use among opioid dependent individuals seeking office-based treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone: a needs assessment study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A paucity of studies has examined the pain experiences of opioid dependent individuals seeking office-based buprenorphine-naloxone treatment (BNT). We set out to examine, among those seeking BNT: (a) the prevalence of pain types (i.e., recent pain, chronic pain), (b) the characteristics of pain (intensity, frequency, duration, interference, location, and genesis), and (c) substance use to alleviate pain. METHOD: We surveyed 244 consecutive individuals seeking office-based BNT for opioid dependence about physical pain and associated substance use. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of respondents reported chronic pain (CP) (i.e., pain lasting at least 3 months) and 36% reported "some pain" (SP) (i.e., past week pain not meeting the threshold for CP). In comparison to SP respondents, those with CP were, on average, older; reported greater current pain intensity, pain frequency, typical pain duration, typical pain intensity, and typical pain interference; were more likely to report shoulder or pelvis and less likely to report stomach or arms as their most bothersome pain location; and were more likely to report accident or nerve damage and less likely to report opioid withdrawal as the genesis of their pain. Both pain subgroups reported similarly high rates of past-week substance use to alleviate pain. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The high rates of pain and self-reported substance use to manage pain suggest the importance of assessing and addressing pain in BNT patients.