The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of multiple against single pain intensity measurements in complex regional pain syndrome type I: analysis of 54 patients.
To describe the comparison of multiple and single pain ratings in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I). ⋯ In patients with CRPS I a single pain rating is an accurate predictor of the average pain measured by a multiple pain-rating test. Moreover, both assessments are accurate enough to determine changes in pain over time with an effective treatment.
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Review Comparative Study
Defining the therapeutic role of local anesthetic sympathetic blockade in complex regional pain syndrome: a narrative and systematic review.
There is growing controversy on the value of blocking the sympathetic nervous system for the treatment of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS). The authors sought to evaluate the efficacy of sympathetic blockade with local anesthetic in these syndromes. In addition, they performed a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology and other treatments for CRPS. ⋯ This review raises questions as to the efficacy of local anesthetic sympathetic blockade as treatment of CRPS. Its efficacy is based mainly on case series. Less than one third of patients obtained full pain relief. The absence of control groups in case series leads to an overestimation of the treatment response that can explain the findings.
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Review
Assessment of efficacy of long-term opioid therapy in pain patients with substance abuse potential.
Clinical experience supports the notion that opioids can be used successfully to treat many chronic pain conditions. Unfortunately, few controlled trials have assessed which individuals benefit from long-term opioid therapy, and there is concern about the use of long-term opioid therapy in individuals with a substance-abuse history. This article contains three sections relevant to the assessment of individuals with chronic pain and a substance-abuse history who are receiving long-term opioid therapy. ⋯ The third reviews areas critical in assessing treatment efficacy and substance abuse in patients with chronic pain, both in terms of documentation of past behaviors and as a measure of outcome of opioid therapy. Potential guidelines for use of opioids in patients with chronic noncancer pain are outlined. Finally, questions are posed for future investigations of the efficacy of opioid therapy for patients with chronic pain and a substance-abuse history.
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Recognition is growing that self-report of drug use, prescribed or otherwise, among patients with chronic pain treated with opioids is often unreliable. This fact is well known to the addiction management community. Patients may inaccurately report use of prescribed medications, fail to report use of nonprescribed medications or medications prescribed by other physicians, or fail to report use of illicit drugs. ⋯ The authors review the use of urine toxicology testing in monitoring patients with chronic pain, including laboratory aspects. They also present evidence from recent studies that suggests that monitoring the behavior alone of patients on chronic opioid treatment will fail to detect potential problems revealed by urine toxicology testing. The authors conclude that, although further research is urgently needed, at this time it is appropriate to conduct routine urine toxicology testing in patients with chronic pain treated with opioids.
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Comparative Study
The neck pain and disability scale: test-retest reliability and construct validity.
This research established test-retest reliability and construct validity for the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD). ⋯ The NPAD is a stable and responsive measure for patients with neck pain. The Neck Pain and Disability Scale factor scores are useful in identifying treatment effects on the specific dimensions involved in the pain experience.