European journal of pain : EJP
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Although back pain is common among older people, limited information is available about the characteristics of these patients in primary care. Earlier research suggests that the severity of back symptoms increases with older age. ⋯ In this study, older back pain patients reported more disabilities and co-morbidity. However, the clinical relevance of these differences for the course of the back pain episode in older patients remains a subject for further research.
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Smad-interacting protein 1 (also named Zeb2 and Zfhx1b) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in neuronal development and, when mutated, causes Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS). A corresponding mouse model carrying a heterozygous Zeb2 deletion was comprehensively analysed in the German Mouse Clinic. The most prominent phenotype was the reduced pain sensitivity. In this study, we investigated the role of Zeb2 in inflammatory and neuropathic pain. ⋯ Our data suggest that the under-reaction to pain observed in MWS patients results from a reduced responsivity to nociceptive stimulation rather than an inability to communicate discomfort.
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In experimental early painful diabetic neuropathy, persistent hyperglycaemia induces dys-regulated sodium channel (Navs) expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and activates microglia in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH). However, information on diabetes-induced chronic neuropathic pain is limited. Therefore, we investigated abnormal Navs in the DRG and activated glial cells in the SDH of diabetic rats with chronic neuropathic pain. ⋯ Diabetic rats showed hindpaw mechanical allodynia for 6 months. Persistent mechanical allodynia was positively associated with sustained increased activation of Nav1.3 and increased p38 phosphorylation in activated microglia.
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The subchondral bone of the distal femur is a source of pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) or spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee. However, nociceptive phenotype of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons innervating the subchondral bone in rat knee joints has not been clarified. ⋯ The majority of sensory DRG neurons innervating the subchondral bone of the distal femur were CGRP-IR and TrkA-IR. It is expected that therapeutic approaches targeting CGRP and TrkA could be effective in attenuating pain from the subchondral bone in knee joints.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prevalence of cold-related musculoskeletal pain according to self-reported threshold temperature among the Finnish adult population.
Exposure to cold reportedly increases musculoskeletal pains. We assessed the prevalence of such pain and self-reported threshold temperature (TT) at which the pain emerges. ⋯ People suffering from musculoskeletal disorders and those living in the warmer areas of Finland need special advice to protect themselves against the cold. Our study provides preliminary information to support such advice.