Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Comparative Study Observational Study
The Comparison of Two Analgesic Regimes after Ambulatory Surgery: An Observational Study.
Over the past 15 years, the number of ambulatory surgical procedures worldwide has increased continuously. Studies show that 30% to 40% of the patients experience moderate-to-severe pain in the first 48 hours. The objective of this observational study is to compare the percentage of moderate-to-severe pain, side effects, and the use of escape medication of two different analgesic regimes after ambulatory surgery. ⋯ A total of 375 patients participated in the study, of which 99 in the tramadol group and 138 in the combination tablet tramadol/paracetamol group. The percentage of patients with moderate-to-severe postoperative pain was 25% to 40%. In both the groups, an equal percentage of patients experienced moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. Both analgesic regimes have a comparable analgesic effectiveness with each with its own specific advantages and disadvantages. On the first day after surgery, patients with the tramadol/paracetamol regime experienced more side effects (drowsiness and nausea) were less therapy compliant, but needed a smaller amount of escape medication than the patients from the tramadol group.
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Pain is a subjective experience influenced by multiple factors, and tremendous variety within individuals is present. To evaluate emotional state of pain, catastrophizing score can be used. This study investigated pain catastrophizing ratings in association with experimental pain perception. ⋯ Even small increments in pain catastrophizing score can influence pain perception to deep and tonic stimulations. Catatrophizing may partly explain the variability found in experimental pain studies.
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To study the relationship between smoking and chronic pain among people aged 65+ years. ⋯ There was an association between smoking and chronic pain among older people, especially regarding pain intensity. This indicates that interventions to help people cease smoking may be one way (among other methods) to ease pain intensity among older people.
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Vertebral compression fractures can result from advanced osteoporosis, or less commonly from metastatic or traumatic insults to the vertebral column, and result in disabling pain and decreased functional capacity. Various vertebral augmentation options including kyphoplasty aim at preventing the sequelae of pain and immobility that can develop as the result of the vertebral fractures. ⋯ We observed a mean of 45% of the lost vertebral height restored postprocedurally. Secondarily, kyphoplasty was associated with significant decreases in pain scores, daily morphine consumption and improvement in patient-reported functional measures.
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A preliminary electronic pain assessment program known as Pain Assessment Interview Network, Clinical Advisory System (painCAS), was implemented in 2 pain centers over the course of 10 months to understand the tool's impact on opioid risk assessment documentation and clinical workflow. The program contains validated electronic versions of screeners for opioid misuse risk (SOAPP-R and Current Opioid Misuse Measure). ⋯ Implementation of an opioid risk electronic pain assessment program significantly increased the likelihood that a risk assessment would be included in the medical record, which has implications for improvement of quality of care.