The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Gender differences in the expression of depressive symptoms among chronic pain patients.
To investigate the extent to which gender differences in the expression of depressive symptomatology exist among chronic pain patients. ⋯ Gender differences in total BDI scores were not revealed for the total general sample or depressed subsample, but gender differences in the expression of depressive symptoms (i.e., item level responses) were found via separate discriminant function analyses on the total general sample and depressed subsample. Consistent with previous studies performed on diverse samples, females' higher endorsement of body image distortion was noted in both of our samples. Females also endorsed significantly higher levels of fatigue in our total sample. Items that were not significant in our total sample include females' higher levels of loss of appetite and crying. In the depressed subsample, items probing pessimism and failure were not statistically significantly different to males' endorsing higher levels of each. Sensitivity to these gender differences is suggested in clinical practice. The likely consequences that these differences in the experience and expression of distress have on coping activities (e.g., help-seeking responses) and the reactions of others (e.g., health-care providers) are highlighted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The utility of comparative local anesthetic blocks versus placebo-controlled blocks for the diagnosis of cervical zygapophysial joint pain.
The development of target-specific local anesthetic blocks has enabled pain physicians to explore the anatomical source of chronic spinal pain. However, such blocks rely on subjective responses and may be subject to the placebo effect. Comparative local anesthetic blocks have been advocated as a means of identifying true-positive cases and excluding placebo responders. This paradigm employs two local anesthetics with different durations of action; only patients who obtain reproducible relief and correctly identify the longer-acting agent are considered positive. ⋯ Whether physicians use comparative or placebo-controlled blocks depends upon the implications of their results. If innocuous therapy will be prescribed, comparative blocks might suffice. However, when diagnostic certainty is critical, such as in a medicolegal context or when surgical intervention is contemplated, placebo-controlled blocks are recommended.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
0.0625% bupivacaine with 0.0002% fentanyl via patient-controlled epidural analgesia for pain of labor and delivery.
To compare the utility of 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl administered via patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) to a traditional continuous epidural infusion for pain of labor and delivery. ⋯ The results of this study show that 0.0625% bupivacaine with 2 micrograms/ml of fentanyl is an effective analgesic combination when used via PCEA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Ketorolac versus fentanyl for postoperative pain management in outpatients.
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of i.v. ketorolac and fentanyl for moderate to severe postoperative pain in patients undergoing elective surgery in an ambulatory surgery unit. ⋯ Ketorolac appears not be as effective as fentanyl in treating early postoperative pain. Although fentanyl still appears to be the drug of choice in the early postoperative period, the parenteral use of ketorolac was more effective during the later postoperative period in providing longer lasting analgesia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of morphine and ketorolac for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia in postoperative cancer patients.
To compare the effectiveness of intravenous patient-controlled (i.v.-PCA) ketorolac to i.v.-PCA morphine in the treatment of postoperative pain in cancer patients. ⋯ These results indicate that ketorolac supplemented with small doses of morphine is associated with a lower incidence of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus compared to morphine alone. This combination should be considered where immunosuppression from operation and administration of morphine is undesirable.