The Clinical journal of pain
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A number of factors, including heritability and the environment, contribute to risk of transition from acute low back pain to chronic low back pain (CLBP). The aim of this study was to (1) compare somatosensory function and pain ratings at low back pain (LBP) onset between the acute low back pain and CLBP conditions and (2) evaluate associations between BDNF and COMT polymorphisms and expression levels at LBP onset to acute and chronic pain burden and risk for transition to the chronic pain state. ⋯ CLBP was characterized by higher reported pain burden and augmented hypersensitivity at LBP onset. COMT expression and genotype were associated with acute pain burden and likelihood of transition to CLBP.
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We estimated the association between the presence of pain and health care utilization among older adults residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale project to examine the utilization of health care resources as a function of pain status among LTC facility residents. Improved pain management in LTC facilities could lead to reduced health care use.
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Before an intervention can be implemented to improve pain-related self-efficacy, assessment is required. The aim of the present study was to provide a systematic review on which self-efficacy scales are being used among patients with back pain and to evaluate their psychometric properties. ⋯ Further research should focus on assessing validity and interpretability of these questionnaires, especially in pain-related target groups. Researchers should select questionnaires that are most appropriate for their study aims and the back pain population and contribute to further validation of these scales to best predict future behavior and develop intervention programs. This systematic review aids selection of pain-related assessment tools in back pain both in research and practice.
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Epidural injections and selective nerve blocks are widely used for pain relief, but steroid usage is controversial due to safety concerns. We carried out this retrospective cohort study to estimate the incidence rates of neurological complications associated with epidural and selective nerve blocks, in relation to steroid use patterns. ⋯ At the cervicothoracic level, the incidence rate of neurological complications with particulate steroid injections was higher than that with nonparticulate steroid injections. Injections with nonparticulate steroids and without steroids were equally safe.