The Clinical journal of pain
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To determine the persistence of chronic pain among community-dwelling older persons and to identify factors related to persistent chronic pain. ⋯ Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a highly persistent condition among community-dwelling older persons and it is related to poor health and mobility difficulties. In addition, the use of daily analgesic is low despite the continuous nature of chronic pain.
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One theoretical model suggests that the pathway from pain to depression is through the disruption of social and relationship function. This study sought to test this hypothesis by considering the mediating effect of sexual functioning on the association between pain intensity and depressive symptoms in sexually active patients with chronic low back pain. ⋯ This study has shown that sexual functioning significantly mediates the relationship between pain intensity and depressive symptoms in sexually active patients with chronic low back pain. Clinicians may wish to consider the assessment of sexual functioning within this patient group and align treatments that address sexual dysfunction and general pain management.
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In a 12-month observational study, we evaluated the effect of opioid use on the outcomes in 1700 adult patients with fibromyalgia. ⋯ Although pain severity was reduced over time in all cohorts, opioid users showed less improvement in pain-related interference with daily living, functioning, depression, and insomnia. Overall, the findings show little support for the long-term use of opioid medications in patients with fibromyalgia given the poorer outcomes across multiple assessment domains associated with this cohort.
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We evaluated the stability of the comorbidity between vulvodynia and orofacial pain (OFP) and its associated clinical characteristics over a 2-year follow-up period. ⋯ OFP is a common comorbidity among women with vestibulodynia, although the presence of OFP can vary over time. The comorbidity between vestibulodynia and OFP suggests that common underlying mechanisms may mediate both conditions.
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To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of once-daily gastroretentive gabapentin (G-GR) for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in real-world clinical practice. ⋯ In real-world clinical practice, G-GR seems to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for patients with postherpetic neuralgia, regardless of age.