The Clinical journal of pain
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Comparative Study
Whiplash (grade II) and cervical radiculopathy share a similar sensory presentation: an investigation using quantitative sensory testing.
Recent research has identified the coexistence of generalized sensory hypersensitivity and hypoesthetic changes suggestive of a neuropathic component to chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD). This study aimed to compare chronic whiplash with a cervical neuropathic condition-cervical radiculopathy, using Quantitative Sensory Testing. ⋯ Generalized sensory hypersensitivity and hypoesthesia occur in both chronic whiplash and cervical radiculopathy. This may represent disordered central pain processing but could indicate peripheral nerve dysfunction.
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Clinical Trial
Prevalence rates for and predictors of self-reported adherence of oncology outpatients with analgesic medications.
Inadequate adherence with an analgesic regimen may be a reason why oncology patients experience unrelieved pain. However, only a limited number of studies have evaluated the prevalence rates for adherence and no studies have attempted to determine predictors of adherence in patients with cancer pain. On the basis of concepts from the Health Belief Model, the purposes of this study were to describe oncology outpatients' level of adherence with an analgesic regimen and to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of selected demographic variables, pain characteristics, barriers to pain management, and self-efficacy (SE) on adherence with an analgesic regimen. ⋯ Improvements in pain management may occur if clinicians routinely assessed patients' level of adherence with their analgesics regimen.
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Unlike information provided for research, information disclosed to patients for treatment or procedures is largely unregulated and, as such, there is likely a considerable variability in the type and amount of disclosure. This study was designed to examine the nature of information provided to parents regarding options for postoperative pain control and their understanding thereof. ⋯ These results demonstrate the variability in the type and amount of information provided to parents regarding their child's postoperative pain control and reinforce the importance of clear and full disclosure of pain information, particularly with respect to the risks and benefits.
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Comparative Study
Complex regional pain syndrome (type 1): a comparison of 2 diagnostic criteria methods.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a common problem presenting to orthopedic surgeons or pain therapists, most frequently encountered after trauma or surgery to a limb. Because of a lack of a simple objective diagnostic test, diagnosis is reliant on clinical assessment. Prospective studies have repeatedly demonstrated a higher incidence than retrospective studies, an observation that has been challenged owing to the lack of uniformity of diagnostic criteria across specialties and workers researching the condition. ⋯ These findings show that the Bruehl and Atkins criteria are basically concordant. The differences reflect only minor variations in the assessment of pain. Agreement between researchers in the orthopedic and pain therapy communities will allow improved understanding of CRPS.