Scandinavian Journal of Pain最新文献

Objectives: Pain is still a neglected problem in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In this cross-sectional study, we examined the frequency of musculoskeletal pain in a sample of adult patients with persistent cognitive symptoms after mTBI and whether pain level affected cognition.

Methods: The participants were 23 adult patients aged 18-50 referred to brain injury rehabilitation clinics for neuropsychological assessment after having sustained an mTBI. A non-injured control group (n = 29) was recruited through advertisements. The patients were, on average, assessed 22 months after trauma. All participants completed a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and completed the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire, The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results: Patients reported high levels of current pain and significantly more frequent neck and shoulder pain than the non-injured controls. Patients also reported high post-concussive symptoms and anxiety levels and performed less well on several neuropsychological tests. Pain level was associated with slower processing speed among the controls but not related to performance in the mTBI group.

Conclusion: We conclude that musculoskeletal pain is frequent in mTBI patients referred to rehabilitation settings. Furthermore, the results indicate that the interaction between pain and cognitive functioning differs in mTBI compared to controls. Our results implicate that pain screening should be an integrated part of neuropsychological rehabilitation after mTBI to identify conditions that run the risk of becoming chronic. The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Board in Stockholm, Sweden (04-415/2).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether people with fibromyalgia (FM) have dysfunctional breathing by examining acid-base balance and comparing it with healthy controls.

Methods: Thirty-six women diagnosed with FM and 36 healthy controls matched for age and gender participated in this cross-sectional study. To evaluate acid-base balance, arterial blood was sampled from the radial artery. Carbon dioxide, oxygen, bicarbonate, base excess, pH and lactate were analysed for between-group differences. Blood gas analyses were performed stepwise on each individual to detect acid-base disturbance, which was categorized as primary respiratory and possible compensation indicating chronicity. A three-step approach was employed to evaluate pH, carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in this order.

Results: Women with FM had significantly lower carbon dioxide pressure (p = 0.013) and higher lactate (p = 0.038) compared to healthy controls at the group level. There were no significant differences in oxygen pressure, bicarbonate, pH and base excess. Employing a three-step acid-base analysis, 11 individuals in the FM group had a possible renally compensated mild chronic hyperventilation, compared to only 4 among the healthy controls (p = 0.042).

Conclusions: In this study, we could identify a subgroup of individuals with FM who may be characterized as mild chronic hyperventilators. The results might point to a plausible dysfunctional breathing in some women with FM.

Objectives: Chronic pain is highly prevalent in nursing home residents and often occurs with depression as well as cognitive impairment, which can severely influence and limit the expression of pain.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pain, depressive mood, and cognitive impairment in association with pharmacological treatment against pain and depressive symptoms among Swedish nursing home residents.

Results: We found an overall pain prevalence of 52.8%, a prevalence of 63.1% for being in a depressive mood, and a prevalence of cognitive impairment of 68.3%. Among individuals assessed to have depressive mood, 60.5% were also assessed to have pain. The prevalence of pharmacological treatment for pain was 77.5 and 54.1% for antidepressants. Prescription of pharmacological treatment against pain was associated with reports of currently having pain, and paracetamol was the most prescribed drug. A higher cognitive function was associated with more filled prescriptions of drugs for neuropathic pain, paracetamol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which could indicate an undertreatment of pain in those cognitively impaired.

Conclusion: It is important to further explore the relationship between pain, depressive mood, and cognitive impairment in regard to pain management in nursing home residents.

Objectives: Assessment of pain is challenging given its subjective nature. Standard pain assessment tools have limitations. We aimed to compare the verbal numeric rating scale (NRS) and Grasp, a novel handheld electronic device that reports pain by squeezing.

Methods: To compare Grasp and NRS, healthy adult volunteers were invited to undergo two subsequent standardised tests of cold-triggered pain using a cold pressor test (CPT) at a temperature of 3°C. Pain intensity was in a randomised manner reported by NRS (scale 0-10) or by squeezing Grasp (0-3 V) during the two CPTs. A third CPT was performed 1 to 14 days later where subjects reported pain by Grasp a second time in order to study the association of repeated Grasp measurements. Acceptable association was a priori considered as mean Kendall's τ-b coefficient (τ-b) ≥ 0.7. The subjects reported their experience of using Grasp in a purpose-made questionnaire.

Results: In total, 102 subjects were included, and 96 subjects (56 females) completed all three tests. The association of pain intensity reported by Grasp and NRS was moderate with a mean τ-b of 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47-0.58). The association between the repeated Grasp measurements was weak with a mean τ-b of 0.43 (95% CI 0.37-0.48). Most subjects reported that Grasp was intuitive and easy to use.

Conclusions: Pain intensity reported by squeezing Grasp did not show acceptable association with pain intensity reported by NRS during CPTs. The association between pain intensity reported by Grasp during two CPTs on separate days was weak. Further improvements of the Grasp ball are needed before use in clinical settings.

Objectives: Addressing the challenges of ambulatory surgery involves balancing effective pain relief with minimizing the side effects of pain medication. Due to the heightened risk of opioid abuse, Helsinki University Hospital (Finland) has had a stringent oxycodone prescription policy. This policy prompts an exploration into whether ambulatory surgery patients experience severe post-surgical pain and whether an increase in prescribed opioids would cause elevation in adverse effects.

Methods: This prospective cohort study, with a 1-week follow-up, included 111 adult ambulatory surgery patients (orthopaedics, urology). The patients documented their pain levels within the first postoperative week (using a numerical rating scale [NRS] of 0-10) and pain medication intake up to two days postoperatively. Furthermore, they completed a questionnaire assessing their satisfaction with pain relief, medication-related adverse effects, and adherence to instructions. Medication intake was cross-referenced with the provided instructions and prescriptions.

Results: A notable 56% of patients reported experiencing intense pain (NRS ≥5) within a week following surgery. Of these, 52% received a single dose of slow-release oxycodone (5-20 mg) at discharge for use on the night of surgery. Predominantly prescribed pain medications included a combination of paracetamol and codeine (64%) or ibuprofen (62%). Satisfaction rates were high, with 87% expressing satisfaction with pain medication given at hospital discharge and 90% expressing contentment with the prescribed medication. The most common adverse effects were tiredness/grogginess (45%), sleep disturbances (38%), nausea (37%), and constipation (27%). Also, 24% of patients self-reported deviations from medication instructions. A comparison of self-reported and instructed medications revealed that 14% exceeded prescribed dosages, and 28% opted for preparations different from those prescribed. Notably, patients who self-reported deviations from instructions differed from those objectively deviating from instructions.

Conclusions: Although 56% of patients had intense pain, the majority expressed satisfaction with the provided pain relief. Instances of non-adherence to medication instructions were prevalent, often going unnoticed by the patients themselves.

Objectives: We examined associations of a self-reported history of childhood abuse with pain and physical functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We also explored the potential moderating effects of positive childhood experiences (PCEs), an index of resilience, on these associations.

Methods: Prior to TKA, participants with KOA awaiting surgery (N = 239) completed self-report measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), PCEs, pain, and physical functioning. We evaluated associations of pain and physical functioning (Brief Pain Inventory [BPI] and Western Ontario and McMaster University of Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) based on the experience of ACEs (childhood abuse), with PCEs (childhood happiness and supportive parental care) as potential moderators.

Results: Greater exposure to childhood abuse was positively correlated with BPI pain interference as well as WOMAC pain and functioning scores. Additionally, childhood happiness and supportive parental care moderated the positive associations of childhood abuse with pain and physical functioning; though, surprisingly, the adverse effects of childhood abuse on these outcomes were more pronounced among participants with high levels of childhood happiness and supportive parental care.

Conclusion: Overall, results show an association between a self-reported history of childhood abuse and pain and functioning in patients with KOA awaiting TKA. However, PCEs did not protect against the negative consequences of childhood abuse in our cohort. Further research is needed to validate these associations and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between childhood abuse and PCEs and their potential influences on pain experiences in adults with chronic pain conditions, including KOA.

Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, gastrointestinal tract condition, in which pain is one of the most widespread and debilitating symptoms, yet research about how individuals make sense of their IBD pain is lacking. The current study aimed to explore how individuals with IBD understand their pain.

Methods: Twenty participants, recruited via the Crohn's & Colitis UK charity, were interviewed about their understanding of their IBD pain using the Grid Elaboration Method that elicits free associations on which it invites elaboration. Thematic analysis was used to organise transcribed verbatim data.

Results: Three related themes - making sense of my pain, navigating my care and support and it takes its toll - comprising seven sub-themes, illustrated the ways in which participants made sense of pain experientially, multi-dimensionally, and in the broader context of IBD and its symptoms. The psychological impact of pain was evident across all interviews.

Conclusions: The findings are consistent with other research in IBD pain, demonstrating the importance of pain in IBD. Sense-making underpins both emotional and practical responses to pain and ideally is constructed as an integral part of clinical care of IBD.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to gain qualitative insight into cancer patients' experiences, explanations, and management strategies regarding their cancer-related pain (CP).

Methods: Seventeen patients with CP were interviewed using a semi-structured interview approach. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method was used to analyze the transcribed interviews. The patients all participated in cancer rehabilitation courses arranged by the research clinic at The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care.

Results: Three themes were identified: (1) Explaining CP: Patients found it difficult to explain how they experienced their pain. They lacked words, and they frequently used invasive metaphors such as "Pain feels like a heart attack" (2). Strategies and barriers to the management of CP: Initiatives provided by healthcare professionals (HCPs) were perceived as insufficient, and the patients missed guidance in both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to pain management. Several saw medicine as unnatural for their body, and they focused on side effects and the medicine affecting their quality of life. (3) Responsibility for managing CP: A lack of responsiveness from the HCPs and taking on responsibility for pain management were experienced by several of the patients. The patients expressed uncertainty about whom to contact for help with the management of their CP.

Conclusion: The patients' difficulties in explaining, understanding, and communicating their pain and pain management contributed to insufficient pain management. They were also uncertain about who had the responsibility to help them to achieve pain relief. These results share the evidence drawn from studies on patients with chronic non-cancer pain. This qualitative study highlights the need for having more focus on a common language and shared understanding between patients and HCPs. It also underpins the importance of HCPs to assume their responsibility to help patients manage their pain conditions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify prognostic variables at baseline associated with being responding favorably to multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: A responder analysis was conducted based on data from a randomized controlled trial with 26-week follow-up including 165 patients with CLBP treated at a Danish multidisciplinary rehabilitation center. Patients were dichotomized into responders and non-responders based on the outcome of a minimal clinically important difference of six points on the Oswestry Disability Index. The associations between prognostic variables and responders were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: A total of 139 patients completed the study, of which 42% were classified as responders. Sex and employment status were statistically significant, with a decreased odds ratio (OR) of being a responder found for males compared to females (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02-0.48) and for being on temporary or permanent social benefits (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.10-0.75) compared to being self-supporting or receiving retirement benefits. Statistically significant interaction (OR = 8.84, 95% CI = 1.11-70.12) was found between males and being on temporary or permanent social benefits.

Conclusions: In patients with CLBP, female patients as well as patients who were self-supporting or receiving retirement benefits were significantly more likely than male patients or patients on temporary or permanent social benefits to be a responder to multidisciplinary rehabilitation.