European journal of pain : EJP
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Pain and sensitization after total knee replacement or nonsurgical treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Identifying potential predictors of outcome at 12 months.
This study is a secondary analysis of 12-month follow-ups from two parallel, randomized controlled trials (RCT) in painful knee osteoarthritis patients. RCT1: Total knee replacement (TKR) followed by nonsurgical treatment compared with nonsurgical treatment. RCT2: Nonsurgical treatment compared with usual care. The aims were to investigate (1) possible predictors of treatment outcome after TKR and nonsurgical interventions at 12 months, (2) associations between pain intensity and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) (pain sensitization) at baseline and after 12 months and (3) possible gender differences. ⋯ Human experimental pain assessment was used to assess the degree of pain sensitization in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis. High sensitization before TKR predicted worse outcome. Outcome after nonsurgical interventions could not be predicted.
-
The study aimed to investigate the physiology, psychophysics, pathology and their relationship in reversible nociceptive nerve degeneration, and the physiology of acute hyperalgesia. ⋯ These observations suggested the relationship between nociceptive nerve terminals and brain responses to thermal stimuli changed during different degree of skin denervation, and CHEP to low-intensity heat stimulus can reflect the physiology of hyperalgesia.
-
Thermal detection thresholds and thermal pain thresholds are important in quantitative sensory testing. Although they have been well studied for assessing somatosensory function, the investigation of thermal pain tolerance has been insufficient. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of thermal pain tolerance and pain ratings in healthy subjects. ⋯ Thermal pain tolerance and pain rating for the thermal pain tolerance temperature depend on gender and age. Women are more sensitive to heat temperatures, young people rate more pain, and the pain ratings of heat and cold are strongly correlated.
-
Pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are significant problems in the aftermath of a burn injury and they often co-occur. Catastrophizing has been linked to both phenomena. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying role of catastrophizing in PTSD symptoms and pain following burns. ⋯ The identification of individuals who have the tendency to catastrophize may assist in finding those at risk for development of both chronic PTSD symptoms and chronic pain. Individuals may benefit from early psychological therapy focussing on catastrophizing and acute PTSD symptoms that may ameliorate both chronic PTSD symptoms and pain.