Status of inpatient pain therapy using the example of a general and abdominal surgery normal ward - a prospective questionnaire study to review a pain therapy algorithm ("real-world data").

Objectives: The mean pain intensity for inpatient consultations, for example in cancer patients, is known. However, the proportion of necessary consultations in the total volume of patients of a ward or a hospital, the general pain intensity in a surgical ward and the relationship between pain medication, length of stay and therapeutic success are unknown. The aim of the study was to examine surgical patients in a single normal ward subclassified into various groups (-/+ surgery, ICU stay, cancer, consultation for pain therapy etc.) during half a year with regard to their pain. For this purpose, the pain score (NAS) was recorded daily for each patient during the entire hospital stay and the change was assessed over the clinical course. Methods: In 2017, all consecutive new admissions to a normal ward of general surgery at a university hospital ("tertiary center") were monitored over half a year according to a standardized procedure. Pain severity (measured by the "Numeric rating scale" [NRS] respectively "Visual analogue scale" [VAS]) from admission to discharge was recorded, as well as the length of stay and the administered medication. Patient groups were sub-classified as surgery, intensive care unit, cancer and pain consultation. An algorithm in two parts (part 1, antipyretics and piritramide; part 2, WHO-scheme and psychotropic drugs), which was defined years before between surgeons and pain therapists, was pursued and consequently used as a basis for the evaluation of the therapeutic success. Results: 269 patients were included in the study. The mean pain intensity of all patients at admission was VAS 2.2. Most of the groups (non-cancer, intensive care unit [ICU], non-ICU, surgical intervention (=Operation [OP]), non-OP, pain intensity greater than VAS 3) were significantly reduced in pain at discharge. An exception in this context was patients with cancer-associated pain and, thus, initiated pain consultation. Conclusions: Since three quarters of the consultation patients also reported cancer pain, it might be possible that the lack of treatment success in both the consultation and cancer groups is associated with cancer in these patients. However, it can be shown that the successfully treated groups (without ICU-based course) had a mean length of stay from 4.2 ± 3.9 up to 8.4 ± 8.1 days (d), while the two unsuccessfully treated groups experienced a longer stay (mean"cancer", 11.1 ± 9.4 d; mean"consulation", 14.2 ± 10.3 d). Twenty-one consultation patients, in whom it had been intended to improve pain intensity, could not be successfully treated despite adapted therapy - this can be considered a consequence of the low number of patients. Since the consultation patients were the only patient group treated with part 2 of the algorithm, it can be concluded that part 1 of the algorithm is sufficient for a mean length of stay up to 9 days. For all patients above this time point, a pain consultation with adaption of medical treatment should be considered.

Long-term opioid therapy and mental health comorbidity in patients with chronic pain.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that patients with chronic pain and mental illness are more likely to receive long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) and at higher doses but are also at increased risk of experiencing opioid-related harm. This study investigates LTOT and its relationship to mental illness in the setting of a university-based outpatient pain clinic with liaison psychiatric care. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with chronic pain admitted between 2011 and 2015. After a 1-year treatment period, patients with non-opioid treatment, guideline-recommended LTOT, and high-dose LTOT were compared, and multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of higher opioid dosage. RESULTS: Of 769 patients, 46% received LTOT (opioids for >90 consecutive days), 13% at high dosage (>120 oral morphine milligram equivalents [MME] / day). Two thirds of all patients had mental illness. The prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses and prescription rate of psychotropic medication did not significantly differ between groups. Pain chronicity stages, use of antidepressants, and sex significantly predicted MME/day but explained only a minor part of the variance. The association with antidepressants can be attributed to the prescription of antidepressants for analgesic purposes rather than for treating depression. No association with any other type of psychiatric disorders was observed. CONCLUSION: This study shows that mental health comorbidity is highly prevalent but that the prescribed opioid dosage is independent of it in the clinical setting of this study. The concept of liaison psychiatric care might have essentially contributed to the "detachment" of opioid prescription and psychiatric conditions but cannot be isolated from other potentially contributing factors within this single-center observational study.

What does low psychological distress mean in patients with no mental disorders and different pains of the musculoskeletal system?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to define the different levels of psychological distress in patients suffering from pain and functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system. METHODS: This investigation was conducted as a retrospective study of 60 patients randomly selected of a German specialized orthopaedic hospital within the year 2016, whose therapeutic approaches are based on a non-surgical orthopaedic multimodal approach of manual therapy. All patients were suffering from pain and functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Two groups were formed: one without and one with additional mental disorders according to ICD-10. The impairment score (ISS) according to Schepank was determined. RESULTS: The somatic sub score of the ISS was the highest sub score in both patient groups. The cumulative value of the ISS score of patients with both a mental disorder and pain in the musculoskeletal system was higher than for patients without concomitant mental disorder. For patients without concomitant mental disorder, the cumulative ISS exceeded the test criteria for mentally healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Patients without mental disorder but with chronic pain of the locomotoric system receive a psychological pain management program, as it is part of the billing code OPS 8-977 to the health insurance companies in Germany. However, the data show that these patients also have a substantial somatic subscore and a cumulative ISS above the level of healthy individuals. The absence of psychological disorders (according to ICD-10) in patients with pain of the musculoskeletal system should not lead to the assumption that these patients are psychologically inconspicuous. Subsyndromal mental findings (below ICD-10) can be one aspect of a mental disorder presenting with primarily somatic symptoms. In this case, patients would benefit from a psychotherapeutic program in a similar way as the patients with mental disorders according to ICD-10.

The Incidence of Mental Disorders Increases over Time in Patients with Cancer Pain: Data from a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: It is well known that cancer patients more seldom have a psychiatric disorder than noncancer patients with chronic pain. Conversely, earlier studies have suggested that, at the psychiatric level, long-term cancer survivors (LCSs) have more in common with noncancer patients affected by chronic pain. Materials and Methods: We investigated 89 cancer patients with acute pain (Acute Cancer Pain Patients, ACPPs) treated at a university outpatient chemotherapy department and compared these with 61 LCSs (living >5 yr after the first diagnosis) admitted by general practitioners for the treatment of noncancer pain. Upon administration, each patient was psychiatrically assessed by a liaison-psychiatrist conducting a semistructured interview. In a second step, we compared the LCS patients with hitherto treated noncancer patients suffering from chronic pain and ACPPs with data published by Derogatis in 1983. Results: In a comparison of LCSs with ACPPs, LCSs have more patients with brain organic disorders and more addictions. The largest cancer group within the LCSs is patients with urogenital (Uro) cancer (44.3%), while within the ACPPs, these are patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (ACPP-GI, 57.2%). As far as the distribution of mental disorders is concerned, long-term cancer survivors show some similarities to noncancer patients. The data of ACPPs are similar to those of cancer patients, published by Derogatis. Discussion. The higher values of addiction and brain organic disorders, in particular, and the slight differences for psychic disorders in general of LCSs vs. ACPPs may result from the different cancer types and a longer survival time for urogenital tract cancer compared to GI cancer. In an additional examination, we compared patients with acute cancer of the GI tract (ACPP-GI, n = 50) with those of the urogenital tract (ACPP-Uro, n = 43). ACPP-Uro had the lowest percentage of patients with psychiatric disorders in general (ACPP-Uro 37.2%, ACPP-GI 50.0%, all LCSs 65.6%, and LCS-Uro 74.1%) and addiction, in particular (ACPP-Uro 2.3%, ACPP-GI 4.0%, and LCSs 13.1%). Conclusion: Cancer patients can develop a process of chronification with an increase in the prevalence of mental disorders. For urogenital cancer, an increase in the probability to develop mental disorders is a function of time.

Dyspnea as a Fatigue-Promoting Factor in ALS and the Role of Objective Indicators of Respiratory Impairment.

CONTEXT: There is no evidence-based treatment for fatigue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and identification of treatable causes determines management strategies. Although dyspnea is a key symptom of ALS and effectively treatable, it has not been sufficiently investigated whether dyspnea may be a fatigue-promoting factor. OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of fatigue in dyspneic ALS patients and whether fatigue is promoted by dyspnea. We further evaluated the correlation of fatigue with respiratory function tests. METHODS: About 101 dyspneic patients and 20 matched controls completed the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Extension and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Dyspneic patients additionally completed the Dyspnea-ALS Scale and the ALS Assessment Questionnaire and underwent respiratory function tests (forced vital capacity, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure, mean inspiratory and expiratory pressure with respective relaxation rates, and blood gases). Multiple regression and correlation analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Dyspneic patients had significantly higher fatigue scores than nondyspneic patients, and their fatigue significantly affected quality of life. Dyspnea alone explained up to 24% of the variance in fatigue. No associations were observed between fatigue and respiratory function tests. Patients with noninvasive ventilation reported significantly more dyspnea and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Fatigue is a frequent and bothersome symptom in dyspneic ALS patients. Dyspnea-related distress is, in contrast to objective indicators of respiratory impairment, a determining factor of experienced fatigue. There is an urgent need for further symptom relief beyond noninvasive ventilation. Adequate treatment of dyspnea has the potential for synergies in symptom management arising from the association between fatigue and dyspnea.

Psychiatric Disorders in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): The Role of the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a multifactorial disorder with complex aetiology and pathogenesis. At the outpatient pain clinic of Magdeburg University Hospital, all patients, without exception, are subject to permanent psychiatric care delivered by a consultation-liaison psychiatrist. In CRPS, psychological stabilization and treatment of the neuropathic aspects are equally important. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to determine mental/psychiatric defects impairing pain processing at the time of investigation and show the effects of treating mental disorders and neuropathic pain with the same psychotropic drugs. Method: On admission, the consultation-liaison psychiatrist examined the mental state of every patient in a semistructured interview according to AMDP (working group for methods and documentation in psychiatry). Due to the model of the Department of Anaesthesiology, we are able to compare the group of CRPS patients with all other outpatients treated for pain. Results: The medical treatment of psychiatric dysfunction leads to an analgesic effect. Only every second CRPS patient had an additional psychiatric diagnosis, and 15.6% were diagnosed with depressive mood disorders and show a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than the general population and exceed the mean for all patients treated in our pain clinic. Conclusions: In neuropathies, treatment of the neuropathic pain has a modulating effect on mental disorders. As CRPS patients are frequently affected by depressions, and owing to the connection between depression and suicidal tendencies, patients should be seen by a consultation-liaison psychiatrist, and nonpsychiatrists should pay special attention to this patient group.

[The addicted patient in anaesthesia - benzodiazepine dependence]. / Der suchtkranke Patient in der Anästhesie - Patienten mit Benzodiazepin-abhängigkeit.

As a result of the demographic change, the proportions of elderly patients undergoing operations and anesthesia are increasingly important. The consumption of benzodiazepines evidently rises with increasing age. Associated with the increasing consumption in the elderly is the risk of cognitive impairment, delirium, falls and fractures. Also long-term benzodiazepine use in low-dose may induce perioperative withdrawal syndrome. The following article will present characteristics and complications accompanied by critical benzodiazepine use especially in the elderly patients.

[Subsyndromal delirium -- experience in psychiatry -- expectations for postoperative management]. / Subsyndromales Delir - Erfahrungen aus der Psychiatrie - Erwartungen für die postoperative Versorgung.

The phenomenon of delirium is well known since over 100 years. The anesthesiology has recognized that early detection and therapy results in significant improvement of postoperative clinical state of health of the patients. In the following article it will be discussed that it could be profitable to make a further step: threatening the subsyndromal delirium. Because there are only few experiences in anesthesiology, this thesis will be substantiated by datas from psychiatry.

[The successfully treated patients - are they the satisfied ones?]. / Patientenzufriedenheit - Sind die erfolgreich therapierten Patienten die zufriedenen Patienten?

The current scientific opinion on the success of a therapy is that patients having undergone a successful therapy are satisfied. However, in reality, it is possible that patients with poor living conditions are satisfied (well-being paradox) whereas patients treated successfully are not (dissonance). The higher the psychological distress, the more rare is the assumption that successful therapy is an equivalent of satisfaction. Satisfaction depends more on fulfillment of patient expectations and involvement of the physicians.

[The Helsinki Declaration for Patient Safety in Anaesthesiology - Post operative care including pain management]. / Deklaration von Helsinki zur Patientensicherheit in der Anästhesiologie - Teil 7: Postoperative Betreuung inklusive Schmerztherapie.

Primary aspects of post operative care should include decisive and adequate treatment of pain. Accordingly, schemes based on international guidelines and in consensus with other departments of the university hospital were developed. Successful therapy includes resolute action on three levels: Instruction of physicians, including supervision. standardized approach based on a readily available algorithm. adherence to fundamental implications of pain therapy such as pain assessment, repeated consultations and observation of complications. Based on this concept, patient safety in anesthesia can be increased.

[Psychotropic drugs - The special importance of anticonvulsants and neuroleptics in treatment of patients with chronic pain]. / Psychopharmaka in der Schmerztherapie - Spezielle Bedeutung der Antikonvulsiva und Neuroleptika in der Behandlung von Patienten mit chronischen Schmerzen.

Therapy by psychotropic drugs is bound to limited indications, which are partially changing. By an extent literary research in pubmed and Cochrane especially corresponding articles of the past 10 years were proofed. So antidepressants were continually seldom given to nociceptor pain. While on the other side anticonvulsants are to be given in the case of neuropathic pain of defined quality, it will be looked for new applications for these drugs. Particularly hitherto existing difficult indications as fibromyalgia were investigated as possible indication for anticonvulsants. At least neuroleptics can be used for very difficult, resistant and bizarre pains such as cenesthesias.

[The general importance of antidepressants in treatment of patients with chronic pain]. / Psychopharmaka in der Schmerztherapie - Allgemeiner Stellenwert von Antidepressiva bei Patienten mit chronischen Schmerzen.

In recent years it came to a change of paradigm in therapy of chronic pain. Not the one cause is now responsible for a defined pain but a group of factors. According to this pain will be no longer treated with opioids or NSAIDs only but by given psychotropic drugs. To understand the following explanations you don?t need any special psychiatric knowledge. The present review tries to give anaesthesiologists a better understanding of antidepressants and to facilitate the application of the drugs.

[Atypical neuroleptics in the treatment of atypical facial neuralgia. Two case reports]. / Kasuistik: Atypische Neuroleptika in der Therapie des idiopathischen Gesichtsschmerzes--Zwei Fallberichte.

The criteria for the diagnosis of the atypical facial neuralgia make it is possible to classify under this neurological diagnosis also psychiatric disorders as conasthetic depression. In two case reports it is told about patients with both diagnosis. Due to this they were treated with an atypical neurolepticum (Olanzapine) to reach three targets: Therapy of the depression, pain i.e. atypical facial neuralgia and mood stabilizing. Within the last four years there were no side-effects as EPMS to observe.