European journal of pain : EJP
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective for relieving pain but undesirable side effects limit their clinical usefulness. Choline is a α7 nicotinic receptor agonist that has antinociceptive effects in a variety of pain models. Drug combination is a strategy in the management of pain to reduce side effects. ⋯ Coadministration of non-analgesic doses of aspirin with choline significantly suppressed the thermal hyperalgesia, with a longer duration efficacy. Furthermore, we found that α7 nicotinic, muscarinic, and opioid-receptors are involved in the antinociceptive effect of choline in the writhing test and the antinociceptive effect produced by systemically administered choline may be via a peripheral mechanism. In conclusion, coadministration of choline and aspirin holds promise for development as a safe analgesic drug combination for inflammatory pain, with a higher potency and longer duration than either aspirin or choline alone.
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Many neuropathic pain conditions are characterized by abnormal responses to noxious or innocuous mechanical stimulation, including wind-up pain. Whereas previous brain imaging studies have explored the cerebral correlates of hyperalgesia and allodynia, no studies are available on mechanical-induced wind-up pain in neuropathic pain patients. We therefore used positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate the cerebral response pattern of mechanical wind-up pain in a homogenous group of 10 neuropathic pain patients with long-standing postherniotomy pain in the groin area. ⋯ In addition, wind-up pain also activated the sublenticular extended amygdala (SLEA) and the brain stem. A direct comparison between wind-up pain and pressure pain revealed that both activated a largely overlapping network. Since no de novo brain areas were activated by wind-up pain, our data suggest that the processes specific to wind-up pain do not occur at the cerebral level.
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Multicenter Study
Multi-centre European study of breakthrough cancer pain: pain characteristics and patient perceptions of current and potential management strategies.
This study involved 320 cancer patients from four Northern European countries. Patients with breakthrough pain were questioned about the characteristics of their pain, the current management of their pain, and the acceptability/utility of alternative routes of administration. The median number of episodes was 3/day. ⋯ Forty-two percent patients would definitely consider using an intranasal product, with 26% patients stating they would definitely not use such a preparation; patients from Denmark and Sweden were less likely to answer positively, and a positive response was associated with male gender, and previous use of the route. Forty-four percent patients reported regular nasal problems. Sixty percent patients would definitely consider using a subcutaneous product, and 44% patients would definitely consider using an intrapulmonary product.
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To assess whether symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM) predict disability retirement or mortality. ⋯ Symptoms associated with FM strongly correlate with early disability retirement. Lifestyle problems associated with high symptom load need prompt management to avoid increased risk of mortality.