Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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The aim of this study was to create and validate severity levels for the central sensitization inventory (CSI), a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome instrument designed to identify patients whose presenting symptoms may be related to a central sensitivity syndrome (CSS; eg, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome), with a proposed common etiology of central sensitization (CS). ⋯ This study provides support for these CSI severity levels as a guideline for healthcare providers and researchers in interpreting CSI scores and evaluating treatment responsiveness.
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Observational Study
Dexmedetomidine as a Sedative in the Awake Implantation of a Neuromodulative System.
During implantation of a neuromodulative system, high patient satisfaction is closely associated with the equilibrium between an effective analgesia and sedation regimen, and the possibility for the patient to be awake and cooperative during procedure. This study assessed the efficacy of the sedative dexmedetomidine to achieve this balance, with patient satisfaction as the primary outcome. ⋯ In this study group, dexmedetomidine combined with remifentanil provided a high level of patient satisfaction and comfort, as well as operator comfort, without any clinically relevant adverse events. All patients were highly cooperative and instructable; incident pain needs to be closely monitored.
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Plancarte first described a fluoroscopy-guided superior hypogastric plexus block to manage pelvic pain in 1990. Modifications have since been described using different imaging modalities. Ultrasound-guided approach has been described in a clinical outcome study. ⋯ Additional transabdominal long-axis scanning of the lumbosacral segment was and the needle trajectory was modified to aim for the apex of the L5/S1 disk. Bilateral spread was achieved by strict midline placement of the needle tip and real-time observation of injection. The modified ultrasound-guided technique resulted in a similar spread of injectate as the traditional fluoroscopy-guided technique that in a clinical scenario would offer complete block of the superior hypogastric plexus.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin for Postherpetic Neuralgia in a Population of Chinese Patients.
Currently, there are limited options for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients in China. While pregabalin is an effective treatment option for PHN in several countries, there is limited information on its efficacy in Chinese patients. ⋯ Pregabalin improved measures of pain and sleep, and is well tolerated in Chinese patients with PHN. These results may inform physicians treating patients with PHN in China.