The Clinical journal of pain
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To examine the relationship between individual and work-related psychosocial factors and low back pain (LBP) and associated time off work in an occupational cohort. ⋯ Somatization and low job security were found to be independently associated with occupational LBP, whereas negative beliefs, pain catastrophizing, reduced job satisfaction, and high job support were independently related to time off work. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these individual and work-related psychosocial factors predict, or alternatively, are outcomes of pain and time off work associated with LBP.
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Late diagnosis and management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can have severe consequences. We report the case of a young adolescent who failed several months of medical and physical therapy for CRPS, which was initially limited to one extremity but then spread to the remaining extremities. ⋯ The extensive use of regional anesthesia techniques can greatly benefit patients with CRPS during the acute phase of the rehabilitation process, which includes appropriate physical, and occupational therapy and psychological interventions. It is critical to continue physical therapy and psychological support after discharge from the hospital.
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Considerable attention has been paid to assessing the risk factors for the development of disability following neck pain (NP) in the general population, but we still lack knowledge regarding disability in NP patients referred to a specialist level of care. This study investigated the associations among the socio-demographic characteristics, work ability, self-reported pain, emotional distress, fear of movement and disability of NP patients referred to a specialised neck and back outpatient clinic. In total, 221 patients participated in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted from December 2007 to December 2009. ⋯ These results suggest that emotion should be considered in any assessment of patients with chronic NP and targeting emotional factors should be an integral part of treatment strategies.
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Clinical Trial
A 3-Year, Open-Label, Flexible-Dosing Study of Milnacipran for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia.
To evaluate the effects of long-term milnacipran treatment in fibromyalgia patients. ⋯ No new safety concerns were identified in this long-term study. Sustained symptom improvements were found in fibromyalgia patients who received up to 3.25 years of milnacipran treatment.
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Case Reports
Continuous Lesser Palatine Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a commonly performed surgical intervention used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome. Continuous peripheral nerve blocks have been shown to reduce postoperative pain and opioid requirements for other surgical procedures but have not been described previously for palate surgery. We present the use of a continuous lesser palatine nerve block catheter as a part of the multimodal postoperative pain management for UPPP. ⋯ Continuous lesser palatine nerve block may be a useful regional anesthetic technique in the multimodal postoperative pain management of opioid-sensitive OSA patients undergoing UPPP and deserves further study.