The Clinical journal of pain
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Elevations in pain catastrophizing (PC) are associated with more severe pain, emotional distress, and impairment within samples with chronic pain. However, brain structure correlates underlying individual differences in PC are not well understood and predict more severe pain and impairment within samples with chronic pain. This study assessed links between regional gray matter volume (GMV) and individual differences in PC within a large mixed chronic pain sample. ⋯ GMV deficits, particularly in right temporal-occipital emotion regulation regions, correspond to high levels of PC among individuals with chronic pain.
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Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor prescribed for musculoskeletal and other forms of chronic pain. Its dual pharmacologic properties have the potential to either raise or lower cardiovascular risk: adrenergic activity may increase the risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke, but antiplatelet activity may decrease risk. Gabapentin is another nonopioid medication used to treat pain, which is not thought to have adrenergic/antiplatelet effects. With the current emphasis on the use of nonopioid medications to treat patients with chronic pain, assessing cardiovascular risks associated with these medications among high-risk patients is important. ⋯ In summary, cohort Medicare patients with non-cancer pain beginning treatment with duloxetine had rates of AMI, stroke, and out-of-hospital mortality comparable to those who initiated gabapentin.
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To determine the absolute and relative within-session test-retest reliability of pressure pain threshold (PPT) and temporal summation of pain (TSP) at the low back and the forearm in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and to test the impact of different sequences of measurements on reliability metrics. ⋯ Within-session reliability was generally excellent for PPT and TSP at the low back and hand sites among individuals with CLBP. We recommend using 3 measurements for PPT and 2 for TSP to optimize reliability. Caution is recommended when testing PPT of the painful lower back area since a systematic difference was present between the test and retest.
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The aims of this systematic review were to identify the different versions of the Tampa Scale of kinesiophobia (TSK) and to report on the psychometric evidence relating to these different versions for people experiencing musculoskeletal pain. ⋯ Clinical guidelines now recommend that clinicians identify the presence of kinesiophobia among patients as it may contribute to persistent pain and disability. The TSK is a self-report questionnaire widely used, but 5 different versions exist. Based on these results, the use of TSK-13 and TSK-17 is encouraged as they are valid, reliable, and responsive.