European journal of pain : EJP
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Review Meta Analysis
Migraine in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Migraine is a complex, neurobiological disorder usually presenting as a unilateral, moderate to severe headache accompanied by sensory disturbances. Migraine prevalence has risen globally, affecting 14% of individuals and 16% of students and carries many negative impacts in both cohorts. With no recent meta-analysis of global migraine prevalence or associated factors in students, this systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. ⋯ This global systematic review and meta-analysis of 92 studies and narrative review of 103 studies provide the most comprehensive synthesis to date of migraine prevalence and associated factors in university students. Pooled prevalence has increased to 19%. The significant heterogeneity demonstrated is influenced by gender, geographical region, migraine type and prevalence timeframes. Students manage migraines primarily with pharmaceuticals. Further studies conducted in low and middle-income countries, following headache protocols and reporting frequency of treatment-seeking and medication usage are warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Is Pilates more effective and cost-effective than aerobic exercise in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome? A randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation.
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Pilates versus aerobic exercises in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome from a societal perspective. ⋯ Pilates showed to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Pilates presented similar results for the impact of fibromyalgia and superior results for pain relief compared to aerobic exercises, a highly recommended intervention for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. Pilates was not cost-effective compared to aerobic exercises for the impact of fibromyalgia. However, Pilates seemed to be a cost-effective intervention for QALYs, depending on the decision-maker's willingness-to-pay threshold.
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Review Meta Analysis
A systematic review and metanalysis of neuropathic pain associated with coronavirus disease 2019.
Neuropathic pain is an occasionally reported complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has received increased attention in scientific literature. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to provide information on the frequency of neuropathic pain associated with COVID-19. ⋯ Emerging evidence supports the development of neuropathic pain as a complication of COVID-19. However, longitudinal studies enrolling consecutive patients with COVID-19 that detail the diagnostic criteria for neuropathic pain are needed to better assess the frequency of this condition.
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Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an excruciating unilateral facial pain, which negatively affects patient's quality of life. Historically, it has been difficult to compare treatment efficacy due to the lack of standardized outcomes. In addition, patients' perspective has seldomly been acknowledged. The aim of this study was to reach consensus on what outcomes of treatment are important to different TN stakeholders (patients, clinicians and researchers), to identify the TN Core Outcome Set (TRINCOS). ⋯ Implementation of a 10-item core outcome set in trigeminal neuralgia will improve comparability between studies allowing patients to have faster access to better treatments.
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Allodynia and hyperalgesia are common signs in individuals with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), mainly attributed to sensitization of the nociceptive system. Appropriate diagnostic tools for the objective assessment of such hypersensitivities are still lacking, which are essential for the development of mechanism-based treatment strategies. ⋯ This study provides clinical evidence that autonomic measures to noxious stimuli can objectively detect sensitization processes along the nociceptive neuraxis in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) (e.g. widespread hyperexcitability). Pain-autonomic readouts may represent valuable tools to explore pathophysiological mechanisms in a variety of pain patients and offer novel avenues to help guide mechanism-based therapeutic strategies.