Der Schmerz
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Systematic reviews of psychosocial assessment and effectiveness of psychotherapy for chronic pain syndromes in older patients are rare. However, it is of particular importance to consider the psychosocial aspects of elderly people with chronic pain. This narrative review describes recommended German-language assessments of the psychosocial dimensions of pain and summarizes existing studies of psychological therapy approaches for chronic pain in old age. ⋯ However, there is often a lack of supporting documentation about important result parameters (e.g., quality of life, functioning in everyday life, or pain acceptance). Overall, chronic pain in elderly people requires a biopsychosocial-spiritual model of pain. More attention should be given in research and daily practice to religiosity/spirituality as a possible means of coping, while mindfulness- and acceptance-based therapies should be further explored.
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Loss of pain perception can result from neurodevelopmental defects, degeneration of nociceptive fibers, or altered excitability of sensory neurons. Hereditary neurodegeneration leading to pain loss is classified as sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN). Mutations in approximately 15 genes have been identified in the group of HSAN disorders. ⋯ The clinically overlapping "congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP)" is caused by mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels, which control the excitability of nociceptors. However, mutations in the latter genes can also result in disorders with increased pain susceptibility. This review summarizes the clinical presentation of HSAN and pain-related channelopathies and discusses the underlying disease mechanisms.
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Complaints in the region of the hips and pelvis are often difficult to classify. This is due to the fact that pain projection and overlapping can occur; therefore, the complete region of the lumbar spine, pelvis and hips must be considered as a single entity in which alterations can result in radiation throughout the whole region. There are many different anatomical structures within the pelvic region so that the function of various muscle components can be impaired and cause pathological alterations to positional relationships of bony structures or even alterations to other soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and labra. ⋯ Therefore, a detailed and targeted medical history, functional testing and specific examinations and tests are necessary to narrow down the pathology in question and reach a definitive diagnosis. Orthopedic surgeons must know which conspicuous features can lead to which problems and which anatomical structures are likely to be affected by irritation. The results of the clinical examination are the basis for targeted imaging diagnostics and subsequent therapy.
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Serotonin syndrome is a dangerous and rare complication of a pharmacotherapy and can lead to death. Caused by unwanted interactions of serotonergic drugs, it is characterised by a neuroexcitatory triad of mental changes, neuromuscular hyperactivity and autonomic instability. Opioids with serotonergic effects include the phenylpiperidine series opioids fentanyl, methadone, meperidine and tramadol and the morphine analogues oxycodone and codeine. ⋯ Higher risk combinations (e.g. monoamine oxidase inhibitors with tramadol) must be avoided. Treatment with serotonergic agents must be stopped in moderate or severe serotonin syndrome. Patients with a severe serotonin syndrome require symptomatic intensive care and specifically a pharmacological antagonism with cyproheptadine or chlorpromazine.
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In the widely used German pain questionnaire, qualitative pain characteristics are assessed by the Schmerzbeschreibungsliste (SBL). In clinical practice these adjectives insufficiently cover the spectrum of orofacial pain perceptions (OFP) and have not been proven by data. The aim of this study was the analysis of a questionnaire focussing on OFP (ZZM-FB) in which nine additional pain descriptors were amended to the SBL (SBL-OF). ⋯ In this cohort, some ADD descriptors were selected more frequently than some SBL items, indicating that the SBL does not adequately capture the characteristics of OFP. These results will be considered in the construction of a revised ZZM-FB, which is currently in development.