Pain physician
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Review
A Practical Guide for Treatment of Pain in Patients with Systemic Mast Cell Activation Disease.
Systemic mast cell activation disease (MCAD, a subclass of mastocytosis), which has a prevalence of around 17% (at least in the German population), is characterized by accumulation of genetically altered dysfunctional mast cells with abnormal release of these cells' mediators. Since mast cells affect functions in potentially every organ system, often without causing abnormalities in routine laboratory or radiologic testing, this disease has to be considered routinely in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic multisystem polymorbidity of a generally inflammatory and allergic theme. Pain in its different manifestations is a common symptom in MCAD found in more than three-quarters of the MCAD patients. ⋯ Due to the high prevalence of MCAD, many physicians are often faced with the issue of pain management in MCAD patients. Hence, our practical guide should contribute to the improvement of patient care. Key words: Pain therapy, mast cell activation disease, mast cell activation syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, mast cell.
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Altered central pain modulation is the predominant pain mechanism in a proportion of chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders and is associated with poor outcomes. Although existing studies predict poor outcomes such as persistent pain and disability, to date there is little consensus on what factors specifically predict altered central pain modulation. ⋯ Premorbid and acute stage high sensory sensitivity and/or somatization are the strongest predictors of altered central pain modulation in chronic musculoskeletal pain to date. This is the first systematic review specifically targeting altered central pain modulation as the primary outcome in musculoskeletal pain populations. Early identification of people at risk of developing chronic pain with altered central pain modulation may guide clinicians in appropriate management, diminishing the burden of persistent pain on patients and heath care providers alike. Systematic Review Registration no.: PROSPERO 2015:CRD42015032394.Key words: Predictive factors, pre-morbid and acute stage baselines, altered central pain modulation, chronic musculoskeletal pain, sensory processing, somatization.
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Review Meta Analysis
The Effect of Early Use of Supplemental Therapy on Preventing Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common and refractory complication of herpes zoster (HZ). Aggressive treatment of acute pain in HZ has the potential to prevent the development of PHN, but the preventive efficacy of supplemental therapy commonly used in clinical practice is controversial. ⋯ This meta-analysis demonstrates that the early use of supplemental therapy can significantly reduce the incidence of PHN. The subgroup analysis shows that supplemental interventional procedures have a beneficial effect on preventing PHN, while supplemental systemic adjunct treatments do not. The early use of interventional procedures for acute pain may be a preferred choice for patients without contraindication, but evidence is moderate. More data from high-quality RCTs will be needed to confirm these results.Key words: Postherpetic neuralgia, systemic treatment, local anesthesia, analgesia, meta-analysis.
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Discogenic low back is a distinct clinic entity characterized by pain arising from a damaged disc. The diagnosis is clouded by the controversy surrounding discography. The treatment options are limited, with unsatisfactory results from both conservative treatment and surgery. Multiple interventional therapies have been developed to treat discogenic pain, but most have not yet been validated by high quality studies.The best studied treatment for discogenic pain is the use of heat, which has been labeled as thermal intradiscal procedures (TIPs) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As the pathology is located in the annulus, we use the term thermal annular procedures (TAPs). ⋯ The evidence is Level I, or strong, that percutaneous biacuplasty is efficacious in the treatment of chronic, refractory discogenic pain. Biacuplasty may be considered as a first-line treatment for chronic, refractory discogenic pain.The evidence is Level III, or moderate, that IDET is efficacious in the treatment of chronic, refractory discogenic pain.The evidence is Level V, or limited, that discTRODE is efficacious in the treatment of chronic, refractory discogenic pain.Key words: Spinal pain, chronic low back pain, intradiscal disorder, IDET, biacuplasty, discTRODE, thermal intradiscal disorders, thermal annular disorders.
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Meta Analysis
Acupuncture for Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Network Meta-Analysis of 33 Randomized Controlled Trials.
Acupuncture techniques are commonly used as initial treatments for myofascial pain syndrome. ⋯ The existing evidence suggests that most acupuncture therapies, including acupuncture combined with other therapies, are effective in decreasing pain and in improving physical function, but additional investigation on the safety of these therapies is required.Key words: Myofascial pain syndrome, acupuncture, anesthesia, efficacy, safety, network meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trials.