Rethinking chronic pain in a primary care setting

Hyperalgesia in Patients With a History of Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Short-term and long-term opioid treatment have been associated with increased pain sensitivity (ie, opioid-induced hyperalgesia). Treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) mainly involves maintenance with methadone and buprenorphine, and observations of heightened cold pain sensitivity among patients are often considered evidence of opioid-induced hyperalgesia.

Objective

To critically examine the evidence that hyperalgesia in patients with OUD is related to opioid use.

Data Sources

Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase between March 1, 2023, and April 12, 2024, were searched.

Study Selection

Studies assessing cold pressor test (CPT) pain responses during treatment seeking, pharmacological treatment, or abstinence in patients with OUD history were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Multilevel random-effects models with robust variance estimation were used for all analyses. Study quality was rated with the JBI checklist. Funnel plots and Egger regression tests were used to assess reporting bias.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Main outcomes were pain threshold, tolerance, and intensity in patients and healthy controls, and unstandardized, standardized (Hedges g), and percentage differences (%Δ) in these measures between patients and controls. The association between pain sensitivity and opioid tolerance, withdrawal, and abstinence indices was tested with meta-regression.

Results

Thirty-nine studies (1385 patients, 741 controls) met the inclusion criteria. Most studies reported CPT data on patients undergoing opioid agonist treatment. These patients had a mean 2- to 3-seconds lower pain threshold (95% CI, -4 to -1; t test P = .01; %Δ, -22%; g = -0.5) and 29-seconds lower pain tolerance (95% CI, -39 to -18; t test P < .001; %Δ, -52%; g = -0.9) than controls. Egger tests suggested that these differences may be overestimated. There were some concerns of bias due to inadequate sample matching and participant dropout. Meta-regressions yielded no clear support for hyperalgesia being opioid related.

Conclusion and Relevance

Patients receiving opioid agonist treatment for OUD are hypersensitive to cold pain. It remains unclear whether hyperalgesia develops prior to, independent of, or as a result of long-term opioid treatment. Regardless, future studies should investigate the impact of hyperalgesia on patients' well-being and treatment outcomes.

Assessment and management patterns for chronic musculoskeletal pain in the family practice setting

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain affects 11% of the US population. Most patients who experience pain, particularly chronic musculoskeletal pain, seek care in primary care settings. Assessment of the patient pain experience is the cornerstone to optimal pain management; however, pain assessment remains a challenge for medical professionals. It is unknown to what extent the assessment of pain intensity is considered in context of function and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To understand common practices related to assessment of pain and function in patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

A 42-item electronic survey was developed with self-reported numeric ratings and responses related to knowledge, beliefs, and current practices. All physicians and non-physician clinicians affiliated with the AAFP NRN and 2000 AAFP physician members were invited to participate.

RESULTS/FINDINGS

Primary care clinicians report that chronic joint pain assessment should be comprehensive, citing assessment elements that align with the comprehensive pain assessment models. Pain intensity remains the primary focus of pain assessment in chronic joint pain and the most important factor in guiding treatment decisions, despite well-known limitations. Clinicians also report that patients with osteoarthritis should be treated by Family Medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain assessment is primarily limited to pain intensity scales which may contribute to worse patient outcomes. Given that most respondents believe primary care/family medicine should be primary responsible for the care of patients with osteoarthritis, awareness of and comfort with existing guidelines, validated assessment instruments and the comprehensive pain assessment models could contribute to delivery of more comprehensive care.

Pain mechanisms for the practicing rheumatologist

Pain in rheumatic diseases transcends the traditional nociceptive paradigm, incorporating complex interactions between nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic mechanisms, as well as significant psychosocial factors. Advances in understanding chronic pain highlight the role of peripheral and central sensitization, and the emergence of nociplastic pain-a result of altered central nervous system processing. This modern perspective acknowledges the influence of mood disorders, environmental stressors, and cognitive patterns like catastrophizing, revealing the intricate interplay between biological, psychological, and social determinants of pain. Research emphasizes the brain's pivotal role in pain perception, underscoring the importance of comprehensive approaches that integrate medical, psychological, and social interventions to address the multifaceted nature of chronic pain in rheumatic diseases effectively.

miRNA contributes to neuropathic pains

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a kind of chronic pain caused by direct injury to the peripheral or central nervous system (CNS). microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that mostly interact with the 3 untranslated region of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to regulate the expression of multiple genes. NP is characterized by changes in the expression of receptors and mediators, and there is evidence that miRNAs may contribute to some of these alterations. In this review, we aimed to fully comprehend the connection between NP and miRNA; and also, to establish a link between neurology, biology, and dentistry. Studies have shown that targeting miRNAs may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic pain and potential target for the prevention of NP.

Meditation: A Promising Approach for Alleviating Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a complex and pervasive health issue that significantly impacts the lives of millions. Various cultures have been practicing meditation for thousands of years, and it has been shown that it has many positive effects on mental and physical health. The impact of meditation on chronic pain is encouraging as it will form the base for future advancements. Meditation can improve the body's natural pain-relieving processes, lower stress levels, and boost body awareness. Patients can select from a variety of meditation techniques and include them in their treatment plans in a way that suits them best. Although it may not be a permanent solution, meditation can give patients a useful tool for managing their pain. In both clinical and experimental contexts, mindfulness meditation has been shown to lessen pain dramatically. Meditation may be used to manage chronic pain, which has several benefits, including pain alleviation, stress reduction, improved sleep, and general health. The research study provides insights into various kinds of meditation practices as well as the scientific basis of the mechanisms that are mentioned in the literature for the management of pain. Meditation practices have been scientifically shown in numerous randomized controlled studies to reduce pain intensity, enhance pain tolerance, and improve quality of life in those with chronic pain. Although more research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the practice, the encouraging evidence is currently available.

Integrating Noncancer Chronic Pain to Multimorbidity: A Real Practice Challenge in Chile

Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is, and continues to be, a global problem that affects people with multimorbidity. The objective is to comment on the gap in Chile in integrating multimorbidity and CNCP in the real practice context despite the advances in public policies and local evidence revealed. Therefore, a pilot is responding to this problem by implementing an approach to incorporate into a multimorbidity comprehensive approach the assessment of CNCP and adding nonmedical services. It is expected to evaluate its impact on the performance of the health system, as well as on people.

Development of a pain self-management intervention framework for people with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

 Pain is the most common reason for medical visits to primary health care practitioners. Pain self-management interventions are encouraged and there is no known self-management intervention framework available that clinicians and people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI) can use to guide treatment selection.

AIM

 This study aimed to develop a pain self-management intervention framework for PWSCI.

SETTING

 Online and facilitated in Gauteng, South Africa.

METHODS

 A three-round modified e-Delphi method was used to reach an 80% consensus among a 21-expert panel. Fifty-nine interventions were distributed via REDCap and a final online audio meeting was held to either include or exclude interventions in the final framework. SPSS v27 was used to analyse descriptive data and content analysis was used for qualitative responses.

RESULTS

 The final developed pain self-management framework consists of 56 interventions and includes interventions from multiple health professions to encompass medical, psychological, therapeutic and social interventions. Interventions are also specified for nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain and grouped according to the biopsychosocial model.

CONCLUSION

 The interprofessional framework may be used as a guideline for PWSCI to alleviate pain, as well as assist health professionals in clinical decision-making, by providing them with the freedom to choose acceptable and adequate interventions that may be appropriate to treat the affected individual's pain.Contribution: Pain management is a basic need at the primary healthcare level and PWSCI need access to the broad range of interventions available to manage their pain. The framework highlights the variety of appropriate interventions to guide both health professionals and PWSCI with pain relief options.

Improvement in medical students' knowledge on chronic pain assessment through integrative learning approaches: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

This study aimed to compare the knowledge and skills of medical students in chronic pain assessment after being trained using the PQRST (P, provoke and palliate; Q, quality; R, region and radiation; S, severity; T, time) and ACT-UP (A, activity; C, coping; T, think; U, upset; P, people) mnemonics with those using only the PQRST mnemonic.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, including forty students who participated in a simulation-based chronic pain assessment workshop. Pre- and post-test scores were used to assess participants' knowledge. Two independent raters assessed the students' skills.

Results

No significant differences in knowledge or skills were observed between the groups; however, a significant improvement in the post-test scores (85.71 [71.43-95.24]) compared to the pre-test scores (61.90 [25.87-90.48]) was observed. The students reported high satisfaction with the workshop.

Conclusions

Training with the PQRST and ACT-UP mnemonics is not better than training with the PQRST mnemonic alone in improving students' knowledge and skills in chronic pain assessment. Nevertheless, this pain education workshop was beneficial for student learning. Learning of patient-oriented chronic pain assessment should be provided in a repetitive and integrative fashion using different approaches, such as lectures, demonstrations, simulations, and interactions with patients experiencing chronic pain. To conclude, mnemonics are helpful but not a primary learning tool.

#ChronicPain: Automated Building of a Chronic Pain Cohort from Twitter Using Machine Learning

Background

Due to the high burden of chronic pain, and the detrimental public health consequences of its treatment with opioids, there is a high-priority need to identify effective alternative therapies. Social media is a potentially valuable resource for knowledge about self-reported therapies by chronic pain sufferers.

Methods

We attempted to (a) verify the presence of large-scale chronic pain-related chatter on Twitter, (b) develop natural language processing and machine learning methods for automatically detecting self-disclosures, (c) collect longitudinal data posted by them, and (d) semiautomatically analyze the types of chronic pain-related information reported by them. We collected data using chronic pain-related hashtags and keywords and manually annotated 4,998 posts to indicate if they were self-reports of chronic pain experiences. We trained and evaluated several state-of-the-art supervised text classification models and deployed the best-performing classifier. We collected all publicly available posts from detected cohort members and conducted manual and natural language processing-driven descriptive analyses.

Results

Interannotator agreement for the binary annotation was 0.82 (Cohen's kappa). The RoBERTa model performed best (F1 score: 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.80 to 0.89), and we used this model to classify all collected unlabeled posts. We discovered 22,795 self-reported chronic pain sufferers and collected over 3 million of their past posts. Further analyses revealed information about, but not limited to, alternative treatments, patient sentiments about treatments, side effects, and self-management strategies.

Conclusion

Our social media based approach will result in an automatically growing large cohort over time, and the data can be leveraged to identify effective opioid-alternative therapies for diverse chronic pain types.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Characteristics Associated With Chronic Pain Documentation on the Problem List

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain is often elusive because of its specific diagnosis and complex presentation, making it challenging for healthcare providers to develop safe and effective treatment plans. Experts recommend a multifaceted approach to managing chronic pain that requires interdisciplinary communication and coordination. Studies have found that patients with a complete problem list receive better follow-up care. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with chronic pain documentation in the problem list. This study included 126 clinics and 12,803 patients 18 years or older with a chronic pain diagnosis within 6 months before or during the study period. The findings revealed that 46.4% of the participants were older than 60 years, 68.3% were female, and 52.1% had chronic pain documented on their problem list. Chi-square tests revealed significant differences in demographics between those who did and did not have chronic pain documented on their problem list, with 55.2% of individuals younger than 60 years having chronic pain documented on their problem list, 55.0% of female patients, 60.3% of Black non-Hispanic people, and 64.8% of migraine sufferers. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, sex, race/ethnicity, diagnosis type, and opioid prescriptions were significant predictors of chronic pain documentation on the problem list.

Impact of Electronic Chronic Pain Questions on patient-reported outcomes and healthcare utilization, and attitudes toward eCPQ use among patients and physicians: prospective pragmatic study in a US general practice setting

Objective

The Electronic Chronic Pain Questions (eCPQ) has been developed to help healthcare providers systematically capture chronic pain data. This study evaluated the impact of using the eCPQ on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in a primary care setting, and patient and physician perceptions regarding use of, and satisfaction with, the eCPQ.

Methods

This was a prospective pragmatic study conducted at the Internal Medicine clinic within the Henry Ford Health (HFH) Detroit campus between June 2017 and April 2020. Patients (aged ≥18 years) attending the clinic for chronic pain were allocated to an Intervention Group to complete the eCPQ in addition to regular care, or a control group to receive regular care only. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and a Patient Global Assessment were assessed at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months study visits. HCRU data were extracted from the HFH database. Telephone qualitative interviews were conducted with randomly selected patients and physicians who used the eCPQ.

Results

Two hundred patients were enrolled, 79 in each treatment group completed all 3 study visits. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in PROs and HCRU between the 2 groups. In qualitative interviews, physicians and patients reported the eCPQ as useful, and using the eCPQ improved patient-clinician interactions.

Conclusion

Adding the eCPQ to regular care for patients with chronic pain did not significantly impact the PROs assessed in this study. However, qualitative interviews suggested that the eCPQ was a well-accepted and potentially useful tool from a patient and physician perspective. By using the eCPQ, patients were better prepared when they attended a primary care visit for their chronic pain and the quality of patient-physician communication was increased.

A practical guide to recognize, assess, treat and evaluate (RATE) primary care patients with chronic pain

The management of patients with chronic pain is one of the most important issues In medicine and public health. Chronic pain conditions cause substantial suffering for patients, their significant others and society over years and even decades and increases healthcare utilization resources including the cost of medical care, loss of productivity and provision of disability services. Primary care providers are at the frontline in the identification and management of patients with chronic pain, as the majority of patients enter the healthcare system through primary care and are managed by primary care providers. Due to the complexity of chronic pain and the range of issues involved, the accurate diagnosis of the causes of pain and the formulation of effective treatment plans presents significant challenges in the primary care setting. In this review, we use the classification of pain types based on pathophysiology as the template to guide the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of patients with chronic pain conditions. We outline key methods that can be used to efficiently and accurately diagnose the putative pathophysiological mechanisms underlying chronic pain conditions and describe how this information should be used to tailor the treatment plan to meet the patient's needs. We discuss methods to evaluate patients and the impact of treatment plans over a series of consultations, with a particular focus on strategies to improve the patient's ability to self-manage their pain and related symptoms and perform daily functions despite persistent pain. Finally, we introduce the mnemonic RATE (Recognize, Assess, Treat, and Evaluate) as a general strategy that healthcare providers can use to aid their management of patients presenting with chronic pain.

A Latin American consensus meeting on the essentials of mixed pain

OBJECTIVES

The term "mixed pain" has been established when a mixture of different pain components (e.g. nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic) are present. It has gained more and more acceptance amongst pain experts worldwide, but many questions around the concept of mixed pain are still unsolved. The sensation of pain is very personal. Cultural, social, personal experiences, idiomatic, and taxonomic differences should be taken into account during pain assessment. Therefore, a Latin American consensus committee was formed to further elaborate the essentials of mixed pain, focusing on the specific characteristics of the Latin American population.

METHODS

The current approach was based on a systematic literature search and review carried out in Medline. Eight topics about the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of mixed pain were discussed and voted for by a Latin American consensus committee and recommendations were expressed.

RESULTS

At the end of the meeting a total of 14 voting sheets were collected. The full consensus was obtained for 21 of 25 recommendations (15 strong agreement and 6 unanimous agreement) formulated for the above described 8 topics (7 of the 8 topics had for all questions at least a strong agreement - 1 topic had no agreement for all 4 questions).

CONCLUSION

In a subject as complex as mixed pain, a consensus has been reached among Latin American specialists on points related to the definition and essence of this pain, its diagnosis and treatment. Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of mixed pain in Latin America were raised.

Mechanism-Based Pharmacological Treatment for Chronic Non-cancer Pain in Adolescents: Current Approaches and Future Directions

Chronic non-cancer pain in pediatrics is a widespread phenomenon that affects about 20% of adolescents (10-19 years old). Although interdisciplinary pain treatment programs, which often include pharmacological treatment, have emerged as the standard of care in management of this patient population, evidence regarding an optimal treatment is lacking. The efficacy and safety profiles of pharmacological treatments used to help adolescents suffering from chronic non-cancer pain remain understudied. This lack of evidence may increase polypharmacy and the risk of drug interactions and adverse events. This review examines evidence for the use of pharmacological treatments prescribed to treat chronic pain in adolescents (10-19 years old), with a focus on mechanism-based pharmacology. The objectives of this review are to: (a) review the evidence for mechanism-based pharmacological treatments for chronic non-cancer pain in adolescents and (b) describe the pharmacological agents that are commonly prescribed to manage chronic pain in adolescents, including dosage information, mechanism, and potential adverse effects. Pharmacological treatments should be used carefully with adolescents, ideally within an interdisciplinary treatment program that will incorporate physical rehabilitation, integrative medicine/active mind-body techniques, psychology, and global efforts to normalize daily activities.

Features and methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi expert consensus study

ABSTRACT

Classification of musculoskeletal pain based on underlying pain mechanisms (nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain) is challenging. In the absence of a gold standard, verification of features that could aid in discrimination between these mechanisms in clinical practice and research depends on expert consensus. This Delphi expert consensus study aimed to: (1) identify features and assessment findings that are unique to a pain mechanism category or shared between no more than 2 categories and (2) develop a ranked list of candidate features that could potentially discriminate between pain mechanisms. A group of international experts were recruited based on their expertise in the field of pain. The Delphi process involved 2 rounds: round 1 assessed expert opinion on features that are unique to a pain mechanism category or shared between 2 (based on a 40% agreement threshold); and round 2 reviewed features that failed to reach consensus, evaluated additional features, and considered wording changes. Forty-nine international experts representing a wide range of disciplines participated. Consensus was reached for 196 of 292 features presented to the panel (clinical examination-134 features, quantitative sensory testing-34, imaging and diagnostic testing-14, and pain-type questionnaires-14). From the 196 features, consensus was reached for 76 features as unique to nociceptive (17), neuropathic (37), or nociplastic (22) pain mechanisms and 120 features as shared between pairs of pain mechanism categories (78 for neuropathic and nociplastic pain). This consensus study generated a list of potential candidate features that are likely to aid in discrimination between types of musculoskeletal pain.

The evidence base for US joint commission hospital accreditation standards: cross sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the evidence upon which standards for hospital accreditation by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (the Joint Commission) are based.

DESIGN

Cross sectional study.

SETTING

United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Four Joint Commission R3 (requirement, rationale, and reference) reports released by July 2018 and intended to become effective between 1 July 2018 and 1 July 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

From each R3 report the associated standard and its specific elements of performance (or actionable standards) were extracted. If an actionable standard enumerated multiple requirements, these were separated into distinct components. Two investigators reviewed full text references, and each actionable standard was classified as either completely supported, partly supported, or not supported; Oxford evidence quality ratings were assigned; and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the strength of recommendations.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Strengths of recommendation for actionable standards.

RESULTS

20 actionable standards with 76 distinct components were accompanied by 48 references. Of the 20 actionable standards, six (30%) were completely supported by cited references, six were partly supported (30%), and eight (40%) were not supported. Of the six directly supported actionable standards, one (17%) cited at least one reference of level 1 or 2 evidence, none cited at least one reference of level 3 evidence, and five (83%) cited references of level 4 or 5 evidence. Of the completely supported actionable standards, strength of recommendation in five was deemed GRADE D and in one was GRADE B.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, recent actionable standards issued by The Joint Commission are seldom supported by high quality data referenced within the issuing documents. The Joint Commission might consider being more transparent about the quality of evidence and underlying rationale supporting each of its recommendations, including clarifying when and why in certain instances it determines that lower level evidence is sufficient.

Comparison of goals set by people with multiple sclerosis during two fatigue management interventions

BACKGROUND

Identifying the meaningful goals of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) can facilitate tailored treatment plans.

OBJECTIVES

To describe and compare the goals set by PwMS during two interventions, and explore the strategies used to meet their goals, the barriers and facilitators influencing goal achievement.

METHODS

Data from 56 community-dwelling PwMS were used in this secondary analysis: 45 used an interactive fatigue self-management website (MS INFoRm), and 11 received MS INFoRm coupled with occupational performance coaching (OPC) for 3 months. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used to map and compare the goals, strategies, facilitators and obstacles to goal achievement between the groups. Goals were also evaluated for being Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely (SMART).

RESULTS

Most goals were related to 'looking after one's health' (n = 35) and 'recreation and leisure' (n = 17). Participants who received OPC set more SMART goals (75 vs. 24%, p < 0.01). Fatigue management strategies were identified. Personal and environmental factors were found as facilitators and obstacles to goal achievement.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE

Coaching can help PwMS with goal setting, and to adapt strategies to achieve their goals. Increased awareness of goals set by PwMS may equip clinicians to better assess their clients' needs.

The presence of pain in community-dwelling South African manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury

Background

Pain after spinal cord injury (SCI) is common and is likely to continue throughout life with varying levels of severity.

Objective

To determine the presence of pain, the sociodemographic and injury profile of community-dwelling manual wheelchair users.

Method

This quantitative correlational study used a sociodemographic and injury profile sheet and the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) questionnaire to document demographic, SCI profiles as well as pain characteristics. Pain severity was determined using the Numeric Rating Scale. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v27 at 0.05 level of significance.

Results

The pain rate was 104; 85% of 122 participants and mainly in those with complete SCI (77.9%). Neuropathic pain was more common (76; 62.5%) and significantly associated (p < 0.05) with higher pain severity. Pain was mainly in one area of the body (59; 48.4%) but occurring in up to five areas. The most painful area had a mean severity of 6.7/10; was more common in the lower limbs below the injury level (48; 39.4%); and was burning in nature (40; 32.7%).

Conclusions

Pain after SCI is as problematic in the South African context as it is globally. With the rising SCI prevalence in the country, understanding pain and its presentation is important for holistic management of a person with SCI.

Clinical implications

In-depth assessment of pain should be conducted and appropriate management interventions for specific pain types be prescribed to effectively reduce pain.

Association of chronic pain with comorbidities and health care utilization: a retrospective cohort study using health administrative data

ABSTRACT

Health administrative data provide a potentially robust information source regarding the substantial burden chronic pain exerts on individuals and the health care system. This study aimed to use health administrative data to estimate comorbidity prevalence and annual health care utilization associated with chronic pain in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Applying the validated Chronic Pain Algorithm to provincial Fee-for-Service Physician Claims File data (1999-2009) established the Chronic Pain (n = 184,580) and No Chronic Pain (n = 320,113) comparator groups. Applying the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System coding algorithms to Claims File and Provincial Discharge Abstract Data (1999-2009) determined the prevalence of 16 comorbidities. The 2009/2010 risk and person-year rate of physician and diagnostic imaging visits and hospital admissions were calculated and adjusted using the robust Poisson model with log link function (risks) and negative binomial model (rates). Results indicated a significantly higher prevalence of all comorbidities and up to 4 times the odds of multimorbidity in the Chronic Pain Group (P-value < 0.001). Chronic Pain Group members accounted for 58.8% of all physician visits, 57.6% of all diagnostic imaging visits, and 54.2% of all hospital admissions in 2009/2010, but only 12% to 16% of these were for pain-related conditions as per recorded diagnostic codes. The Chronic Pain Group had significantly higher rates of physician visits and high-cost hospital admission/diagnostic imaging visits (P-value < 0.001) when adjusted for demographics and comorbidities. Observations made using this methodology supported that people identified as having chronic pain have higher prevalence of comorbidities and use significantly more publicly funded health services.

Physiotherapists' Experiences with and Perspectives on Implementing an Evidence-Based, Chronic Pain Self-Management Programme in Primary Health Care: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: Evidence suggests that a physiotherapist-led chronic pain self-management programme in primary health care (PHC) improves function for people living with chronic pain; however, implementing a new approach to care can be difficult. In this study, we sought to understand the experiences of physiotherapists who had implemented the ChrOnic pain self-ManageMent support with pain science EducatioN and exerCisE (COMMENCE) programme; its perceived barriers, facilitators, benefits, and drawbacks; and how the physiotherapists tailored the programme to their own clinical contexts. Method: This interpretive description qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with physiotherapists who had implemented the COMMENCE programme in PHC. Results: Themes from 11 interviews included experiences of personal and professional growth, increasing confidence with experience, and changing the culture of pain management. Barriers and drawbacks to implementation included resource intensiveness, balancing programme demands with other clinical work, and challenges with patient attendance and participation. Facilitators included training, programme design and materials, supportive teams, and previous knowledge. Benefits included offering group and individualized support, evidence-based content, and sparking interest in learning more about pain management. The participants made small changes to tailor the programme content and delivery to their context. Conclusions: This study provides a rich understanding of the experiences, barriers, facilitators, benefits, drawbacks, and tailoring related to the COMMENCE programme in PHC. The results will facilitate future implementation of this intervention in PHC settings.

Treating osteoarthritis pain: mechanisms of action of acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and nerve growth factor antibodies

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common difficult-to-treat condition where the goal, in the absence of disease-modifying treatments, is to alleviate symptoms such as pain and loss of function. Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids are common pharmacologic treatments for OA. Antibodies directed against nerve growth factor (NGF-Abs) are a new class of agents under clinical investigation for the treatment of OA. This narrative review describes (and uses schematics to visualize) nociceptive signaling, chronification of pain, and the mechanisms of action (MOAs) of these different analgesics in the context of OA-related pain pathophysiology. Further, the varying levels of efficacy and safety of these agents observed in patients with OA is examined, based on an overview of published clinical data and/or treatment guidelines (when available), in the context of differences in their MOAs.

Methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Mechanism-based classification of pain has been advocated widely to aid tailoring of interventions for individuals experiencing persistent musculoskeletal pain. Three pain mechanism categories (PMCs) are defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain: nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain. Discrimination between them remains challenging. This study aimed to build on a framework developed to converge the diverse literature of PMCs to systematically review methods purported to discriminate between them; synthesise and thematically analyse these methods to identify the convergence and divergence of opinion; and report validation, psychometric properties, and strengths/weaknesses of these methods. The search strategy identified articles discussing methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system. Studies that assessed the validity of methods to discriminate between categories were assessed for quality. Extraction and thematic analysis were undertaken on 184 articles. Data synthesis identified 200 methods in 5 themes: clinical examination, quantitative sensory testing, imaging, diagnostic and laboratory testing, and pain-type questionnaires. Few methods have been validated for discrimination between PMCs. There was general convergence but some disagreement regarding findings that discriminate between PMCs. A combination of features and methods, rather than a single method, was generally recommended to discriminate between PMCs. Two major limitations were identified: an overlap of findings of methods between categories due to mixed presentations and many methods considered discrimination between 2 PMCs but not others. The results of this review provide a foundation to refine methods to differentiate mechanisms for musculoskeletal pain.

Pain Mechanisms in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

Patients with rheumatic diseases often have mixed pain states, with varying degrees of nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic mechanisms, which exist on a continuum. When individuals with any chronic pain have a nociplastic component to their symptoms, they are less likely to respond to treatments (eg, injections, surgery, biologics, and opioids) that work better for acute or purely nociceptive pain.

Evaluation of the Arabic version of the Chronic Pain Grade scale: Psychometric properties

To increase our understanding of chronic pain in clinical and research contexts, an assessment of its dimensions using reliable and valid self-reported pain measures is imperative. However, well-validated Arabic chronic pain assessment scales are lacking. The Chronic Pain Grade (CPG) scale has been used worldwide, yet an Arabic version of the CPG scale has not yet been validated. Thus, we conducted this study to demonstrate the psychometric properties, including reliability, convergent validity, and construct validity of the Arabic CPG scale. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 233 chronic pain patients. The confirmatory factor analysis showed an excellent fit with the factor structure of the CPG scale and, thus, supported construct validity. The two identified subscales were pain intensity and pain disability. Convergent validity was supported by having significant correlations between the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and CPG subscales. Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated, as Cronbach's α was 0.916 for pain intensity and 0.815 for pain disability. This study provides evidence that the Arabic CPG scale is a reliable and valid measure of chronic pain dimensions, including pain intensity, and pain-related disability. This Arabic version of the CPG scale has the potential to expand research and clinical assessment in the Arab world. Future studies are required for further validation.

A cost-utility analysis of multimodal pain rehabilitation in primary healthcare

OBJECTIVES

Multimodal rehabilitation programs (MMRPs) have been shown to be both cost-effective and an effective method for managing chronic pain in specialist care. However, while the vast majority of patients are treated in primary healthcare, MMRPs are rarely practiced in these settings. Limited time and resources for everyday activities alongside the complexity of chronic pain makes the management of chronic pain challenging in primary healthcare and the focus is on unimodal treatment. In order to increase the use of MMRPs incentives such as cost savings and improved health status in the patient group are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of MMRPs for patients with chronic pain in primary healthcare in two Swedish regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of MMRPs at one-year follow-up in comparison with care as usual for patients with chronic pain in primary healthcare in two Swedish regions.

METHODS

A cost-utility analysis was performed alongside a prospective cohort study comparing the MMRP with the alternative of continuing with care as usual. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL), using EQ5D, and working situation of 234 participants were assessed at baseline and one-year follow-up. The primary outcome was cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained while the secondary outcome was sickness absence. An extrapolation of costs was performed based on previous long-term studies in order to evaluate the effects of the MMRP over a five-year time period.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) EQ5D index, which measures HRQoL, increased significantly (p<0.001) from 0.34 (0.32) to 0.44 (0.32) at one-year follow-up. Sickness absence decreased by 15%. The cost-utility analysis showed a cost per QALY gained of 18 704 € at one-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the MMRP significantly improves the HRQoL of the participants and is a cost-effective treatment for patients with chronic pain in primary healthcare when a newly suggested cost-effectiveness threshold of 19 734 € is implemented. The extrapolation indicates that considerable cost savings in terms of reduced loss of production and gained QALYs may be generated if the effects of the MMRP are maintained beyond one-year follow-up. The study demonstrates potential benefits of MMRPs in primary healthcare for both the patient with chronic pain and the society as a whole. The cost-effectiveness of MMRPs in primary healthcare has scarcely been studied and further long-term studies are needed in these settings.

Wearable Devices: Current Status and Opportunities in Pain Assessment and Management

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the possibilities and opportunities for using wearable devices that measure physical activity and physiometric signals in conjunction with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data to improve the assessment and treatment of pain.

METHODS

We considered studies with cross-sectional and longitudinal designs as well as interventional or observational studies correlating pain scores with measures derived from wearable devices. A search was also performed on studies that investigated physical activity and physiometric signals among patients with pain.

RESULTS

Few studies have assessed the possibility of incorporating wearable devices as objective tools for contextualizing pain and physical function in free-living environments. Of the studies that have been conducted, most focus solely on physical activity and functional outcomes as measured by a wearable accelerometer. Several studies report promising correlations between pain scores and signals derived from wearable devices, objectively measured physical activity, and physical function. In addition, there is a known association between physiologic signals that can be measured by wearable devices and pain, though studies using wearable devices to measure these signals and associate them with pain in free-living environments are limited.

CONCLUSION

There exists a great opportunity to study the complex interplay between physiometric signals, physical function, and pain in a real-time fashion in free-living environments. The literature supports the hypothesis that wearable devices can be used to develop reproducible biosignals that correlate with pain. The combination of wearable devices and EMA will likely lead to the development of clinically meaningful endpoints that will transform how we understand and treat pain patients.

A Comprehensive Review of Alternative Therapies for the Management of Chronic Pain Patients: Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and Chiropractic Care

INTRODUCTION

Non-pharmacologic alternative therapies for pain have been around for a long time, some for hundreds of years. They have been used throughout history to treat many issues.

RECENT FINDINGS

Currently, alternative medicine is most frequently used to treat musculoskeletal pain, and between 59 and 90% of patients utilizing alternative therapies for chronic pain claimed they were helpful and can serve as an effective adjunctive for the treatment of chronic pain. Some examples of alternative therapies that will be discussed in this review include acupuncture, tai chi, osteopathic manipulation, and chiropractic care. Acupuncture, traditionally a Chinese practice, is becoming more popular across the world to attempt to relieve pain. It involves the placement of thin needles at various points in the body. The efficacy of acupuncture for pain is heavily debated. More research and discussion are necessary to determine the exact role it plays in the treatment of chronic pain. Tai chi is also a traditional Chinese practice that is often used as a form of meditation and for potential health benefits. Tai chi involves a series of complex movements such as squatting combined with deep breathing to achieve relaxation and pain reduction. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a technique used by both osteopathic physicians (DO) as well as other health professionals to manage a wide range of conditions in any given patient. The technique involves utilization and manipulation of the musculoskeletal system to achieve potential health benefits. OMT has been used as therapy for many issues but is commonly used for pain conditions. Alternative therapies may serve as an effective adjunctive treatment modality for the management of chronic pain conditions. There has been a tremendous amount of research dictating the effectiveness of alternative therapies for chronic pain management. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive evidence-based update of alternative therapy used for the management of chronic pain conditions.

Understanding the Impact of Sex and Gender in Osteoarthritis: Assessing Research Gaps and Unmet Needs

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than 300 million individuals globally, with higher prevalence in women than in men. In addition, OA affects women and men differently, with women demonstrating both increased disease severity and disability. The Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) convened an interdisciplinary group of expert researchers and clinicians for a roundtable meeting to review the current state of the science on OA and to identify knowledge gaps in the scientific literature, especially as they relate to the topics of sex and gender. The current review summarizes discussions from the roundtable and prioritizes areas of need that warrant further attention in OA research, diagnosis, care, and education. Improvements in basic and clinical research, clinical practice, patient education, and policy are needed to allow for better understanding as to the pathogenesis of sex- and gender-related disparities in OA.

Involvement of relatives in chronic non-malignant pain rehabilitation at multidisciplinary pain centres: part one - the patient perspective

OBJECTIVES

Chronic non-malignant pain (CNP) is a significant healthcare problem with considerable consequences for patients, relatives and society. CNP is a lifelong condition that calls for acceptance and self-management. Existing research indicates that the involvement of relatives improves patients' and relatives' management of CNP, but the area is, at present, scarcely described. Research is required to obtain knowledge about the patients' experiences, needs and preferences concerning the involvement of their relatives within the frame of CNP rehabilitation, which is the aim of this study.

METHODS

The study applied a qualitative phenomenological-hermeneutic design conducting individual interviews with 10 patients with CNP from three selected Multidisciplinary Pain Centres (MPC). The analysis was guided by Paul Ricoeur's philosophy of interpretation of the text.

RESULTS

The findings illuminated the patients' perspectives on the involvement of relatives within three key themes, each having two or three sub-themes. The analysis revealed that patients in CNP rehabilitation had various interpretations of the substance of involving relatives, reflecting their sparse experiences. It seemed arbitrary, who during the rehabilitation actually experienced the involvement of their relatives, leaving the impression of an area short of structure. This shortage was troublesome, due to a heartrending impact of CNP. Patients' reduced functional level, combined with their surroundings difficulties in grasping the magnitude of CNP led to a loss of relationships and a risk of social isolation. Patients' close relationships became essential but were under pressure as well. Patients living with a spouse/cohabitant experienced that the relationship was affected by a disrupted balance and pain-related emotional outbursts. The patients experienced a profound need for being understood, but the text also revealed a need for mutual understanding to acknowledge the relatives' strain as well. Particular patients with children living at home experienced to be under great strain, complicated by a deep concern for long-term consequences for their children growing up influenced by parental CNP. Experienced involvement of relatives, even to a minor extend was perceived as beneficial for the patients, who experienced increased understanding and support from the relatives. However, due to the lack of a structured service, the patients' access to the involvement of relatives became dependent on their ability to define their need and pick it out. Thus the patients also expressed a general preference for mandatory and structured involvement, yet tailored to the specific patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed an overwhelming need for the involvement of relatives among patients with CNP, indicating that increased attention and investigation of relevant interventions are required. Despite differences between the MPC, our primary impression was that the involvement of relatives reached a minimal level of what was expected, which might entail desertion of patients scarce of resources. Individualised adjusted involvement of relatives is assumed to improve patient's management of CNP in everyday life. A family systems nursing (FSN) approach is a relevant proposal for intervention, useful in other illness areas. Still, research needs to shed light on the appropriateness of FSN when involving relatives in the rehabilitation of CNP.

Use of pain relieving drugs in community-dwelling older people with and without type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To analyze the use of pain medication among community-dwelling people aged 65 years or older with and without type 2 diabetes in primary care.

METHODS

A total of 187 patients with and 176 patients without diabetes were randomly selected from a primary care sample of 389 patients with diabetes and 604 age- and gender-matched controls. Pain status was defined as no pain, nociceptive pain or neuropathic pain. Pain medication (paracetamol, NSAID, opioids, neuropathic pain medication) use was based on electronic patient records and checked by a physician during a health examination.

RESULTS

Some pain was present in 90 (51%) patients without and in 106 (57%) patients with diabetes (p = 0.55). Of the patients without diabetes, 109 (62%) and with diabetes 123 (66%) used some pain medication (p = 0.45). The respective proportions for the regular use were 13% and 11% and for the as needed use 56% and 61%. Diabetes was not associated with any of the pain medications used. The use of pain-relieving drugs was most common for neuropathic pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicated that community-dwelling people with and without diabetes used pain medication similarly. Pain medication was used mostly as needed instead of being regular.

Nerve growth factor antibody for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain and chronic low-back pain: mechanism of action in the context of efficacy and safety

Chronic pain continues to be a significant global burden despite the availability of a variety of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options. Thus, there is a need for new analgesics with novel mechanisms of action. In this regard, antibodies directed against nerve growth factor (NGF-Abs) are a new class of agents in development for the treatment of chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis and chronic low-back pain. This comprehensive narrative review summarizes evidence supporting pronociceptive functions for NGF that include contributing to peripheral and central sensitization through tropomyosin receptor kinase A activation and stimulation of local neuronal sprouting. The potential role of NGF in osteoarthritis and chronic low-back pain signaling is also examined to provide a mechanistic basis for the observed efficacy of NGF-Abs in clinical trials of these particular pain states. Finally, the safety profile of NGF-Abs in terms of common adverse events, joint safety, and nerve structure/function is discussed.

Biopsychosocial baseline values of 15 000 patients suffering from chronic pain: Dutch DataPain study

Background and objectives

Chronic pain affects many adults. To improve our daily practice, we need to understand multidisciplinary approaches, integrated treatment plans and the biopsychosocial context of these patients. To date, almost 15 000 chronic pain patients have been referred to the Maastricht University Pain Center in the Netherlands.

Methods

This study describes 11 214 of these patients suffering from chronic pain. Chronic pain was analyzed using relevant Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials instruments.

Results

Most patients were female (59.3%). The prevalence of low education was 59%, and unemployment/disability was 35.9%. The mean age was 55.6 years. Severe pain (Numerical Rating Sale score 7–10) was reported by 71.9% of the patients; psychological and quality of life values deteriorated when pain severity increased. Approximately 36% of patients showed severe signs of depression or anxiety, and 39% displayed high pain catastrophizing. Of all patients, 17.8% reported high values for pain severity, catastrophizing and anxiety or depression.

Conclusions

Based on baseline biopsychosocial values, this study shows the complexity of patients referred to pain centers. Pain management with a biopsychosocial approach in an integrated multidisciplinary setting is indispensable. Above all, adjusted education on chronic pain and attention to its biopsychosocial aspects are deemed necessary.

"No one wants to look after the fibro patient". Understanding models, and patient perspectives, of care for fibromyalgia: reviews of current evidence

Fibromyalgia is a common and complex long-term pain condition. Despite advancements in our understanding and treatment of fibromyalgia, patients report patchy health care provision and frustrating journeys through the health care system. To inform how best to deliver care, we undertook 2 narrative reviews examining existing evidence on (1) models of care for fibromyalgia and (2) patients' experiences, preferences, and unmet needs regarding their health care. Seven databases were systematically searched. Quantitative data was narratively synthesised and qualitative data thematically analysed. No evidence-based model of care covering the patient journey through the entire health care system was identified. Limited evidence suggests no clear benefit for ongoing care in secondary care settings. Patients with fibromyalgia report difficult interactions with the health care system that might equally be expressed by those with other long-term conditions, such as inconsistent and poorly coordinated care. However, they also face unique problems; fibromyalgia was often not viewed as a real condition, resulting in difficult encounters with health care staff, in particular not feeling believed or listened to. Significant delays in diagnosis were commonplace. Positive care experiences such as being listened to and shared decision-making made patients feeling better informed, well supported, and more satisfied. There is little evidence to inform how best to organise health care for patients with fibromyalgia and ensure care is delivered in a coordinated and consistent way. These findings provide a strong rationale for developing a new model of care for fibromyalgia.

The Efficacy of Nerve Growth Factor Antibody for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Pain and Chronic Low-Back Pain: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a crucial role in pain modulation and is being considered as a new therapeutic target for pain therapy. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to study the efficacy of anti-NGF antibodies for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain and chronic low-back pain, and to provide evidence and direction for further research and practice.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched from inception to November 30, 2019. Eligible studies should include randomized clinical trial-based investigations of anti-NGF antibody treatment for osteoarthritis pain and chronic low-back pain. Pooled overall mean changes from baseline to check point in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) measures of pain, physical function, and Patient's Global Assessment (PGA) were calculated with either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model, depending on the tests for heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis and bias of publication were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of seven studies (3890 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in the WOMAC pain (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.44 to -0.99, Z = -3.55, P = 0.0004; I2 = 99%), the WOMAC Physical Function (SMD = -2.76, 95% CI = -4.22 to -1.30, Z = -3.71, P = 0.0002; I2 = 99%), and the PGA Index (SMD = -2.76, 95% CI = -4.42 to -1.09, Z = -3.24, P = 0.0012; I2 = 99%). Pooled differences of adverse events rates in experimental and control groups was 0.11 (95% CI = 0.02 to 0.20, Z = 2.41, P = 0.016; I2 = 83%).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis data indicate that anti-NGF antibodies can relieve pain and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis pain and chronic low-back pain.

Core patient-reported outcome domains for routine clinical care in chronic pain management: patients' and healthcare professionals' perspective

PURPOSE

To identify a core patient-reported outcome (PRO) domain set to be used in routine clinical care in settings offering specialized and supra-specialized multidisciplinary care to individuals with chronic pain (CP).

METHODS

Two online cross-sectional surveys were administered: one with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and one with individuals with CP. Both surveys included domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) framework. The patients' survey also included the Patient Generated Index (PGI). Areas affected by CP identified in the PGI were mapped to The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

RESULTS

According to HCPs, the five most relevant HRQoL domains to be assessed in routine clinical care were pain interference, pain intensity, physical function, anxiety and depression. The five areas that were the most valued by individuals with CP were recreation and leisure; global mental function; work and employment; household tasks and walking and moving. In total, these represented 74% of all nominated areas. When triangulating both frameworks (ICF/PROMIS) and perspectives (HCPs/patients), 10 core PRO domains were identified: pain interference, pain intensity, physical function, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, ability to participate in social roles and activities, fatigue, sleep-related impairments and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified 10 core PRO domains covering the physical, psychological and social consequences of CP on an individual's life from the perspective of individuals with CP and HCPs. The results can help identify appropriate PRO measures to assess the outcomes of multidisciplinary interventions.

Theoretical Grounds of Pain Tracker Self Manager: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Digital Intervention for Patients with Chronic Pain

OBJECTIVE

To report the theoretical basis and design of a novel digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for people with chronic pain, the Pain Tracker Self Manager (PTSM), which had promising efficacy in a recent pilot trial.

METHODS

Content development by a multidisciplinary panel of experts in psychiatry, clinical psychology, nursing and social work, with feedback from a group of patients with chronic pain and their providers. Materials included paper-based sketching of a story character, visual metaphors, and a series of stories designed to deliver the theory-based components of our behavioral intervention.

RESULTS

This development and design process resulted in 4 digitally delivered clinical modules that combine visual and verbal cues. In addition, it generated a series of novel ACT metaphors specifically tailored to patients with chronic pain: Pain: Injury vs. Threat, Life Navigation System, The Fog of Pain, and Get Rhythm. Consistent with ACT theory and the contextual behavioral science framework, PTSM utilized: perspective-taking, values clarification, acceptance strategies, and nursing and psychological care recommendations.

DISCUSSION

Reports of the design and theoretical basis of digital health interventions are highly needed to increase the rigor of their development process and more progressively advance our body of knowledge. This pilot study developed and tested a series of ACT metaphors that can be readily used by ACT clinicians working with this population.

CONCLUSION

PTSM is a novel digital ACT intervention for patients with chronic pain with features directly linked to ACT processes and theory.

'A lifebuoy' and 'a waste of time': patients' varying experiences of multidisciplinary pain centre treatment- a qualitative study

Background

The recognition of chronic pain as a biopsychosocial phenomenon has led to the establishment of multidisciplinary pain treatment facilities, such as pain centres. Previous studies have focussed on inpatient, group-based or time-limited multidisciplinary pain programmes. The aim was to investigate variation in patients’ experiences of attending individual outpatient multidisciplinary treatment at pain centres in Norway.

Methods

This was a qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews with 19 informants. The informants were recruited among persons who after referral by their general practitioners 12 months prior had attended multidisciplinary pain treatment at a pain centre. The data were analysed thematically using systematic text condensation.

Results

The informants had received different treatments at the pain centres. Some had undergone only one multidisciplinary assessment in which a physician, a psychologist and a physiotherapist had been present, whereas others had initially been to a multidisciplinary assessment and then continued treatment by one or more of the professionals at the centre. Their experiences ranged from the pain centre as being described as a lifebuoy by some informants who had attended treatment over time, to being described as a waste of time by others who had only attended one or two multidisciplinary sessions. Prominent experiences included being met with understanding and a perception of receiving the best possible treatment, but also included disappointment over not being offered any treatment and perceiving the multidisciplinary approach as unnecessary.

Conclusions

There were large variations in the informants’ experiences in the pain centres. The findings indicate that the pain centres’ multidisciplinary approach can represent a new approach to living with chronic pain but may also not provide anything new. Efforts should be devoted to ensuring that the pain centres’ multidisciplinary treatment approach is aligned with their patients’ actual needs.

Counseling interactions between patients living with persistent pain and pharmacists in Australia: are we on the same page?

Background

People living with persistent pain in Australia often cannot access adequate care to manage their pain. Therefore, as the most accessible healthcare professionals, community pharmacists have an important role to play in helping to improve patient outcomes. Hence, it is important to investigate patient needs and expectations in terms of counseling interactions with pharmacists, along with pharmacists’ approach to counseling interactions with these patients.

Method

The nature of patient–pharmacist counseling interactions was explored with seven patients (one focus group), and 10 practicing pharmacists (two focus groups, three semi-structured interviews). The themes identified informed the development of an online survey that was advertised online to patients and pharmacists across Australia.

Results

A total of 95 patients and 208 pharmacists completed the survey. Overall, more than half of patients (77/95) were satisfied with the care provided by their pharmacist, but only a third (71/205) of pharmacists were satisfied with the care they provided to patients. The majority of patients (67/94) reported that pharmacists provided good information about medications. This aligned with pharmacists’ responses, as most reported focusing on medication side effects (118/188) and instructions for taking pain medication (93/183) during patient interactions. However, when asked about empathy and rapport from pharmacists, only half to two-thirds (48–61/95) of patients expressed positive views. Overall, half of the patients (39/75) wanted a caring, empathetic, respectful, and private conversation with the pharmacist, and nearly half (40/89) perceived the pharmacist's role as providing (new) information on alternative pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, including general advice on pain management.

Conclusion

There was a disparity in the nature of the interaction and information that patients wanted from pharmacists, compared to what was provided by pharmacists. Training and education may help pharmacists to better engage in patient-centered care when interacting with people living with persistent pain, thereby improving health outcomes for these patients.

Project ECHO Telementoring Intervention for Managing Chronic Pain in Primary Care: Insights from a Qualitative Study

Objective

Family physicians in Canada receive little training in chronic pain management; concomitantly, they face increasing pressure to reduce their prescribing of opioids. Project ECHO Ontario Chronic Pain/Opioid Stewardship (ECHO) is a telementoring intervention for primary care practitioners that enhances their pain management skills. This qualitative study reports participants' experiences and assessment of ECHO.

Design

An opportunistic sample of multidisciplinary primary care providers attending one of three residential weekend workshops participated in focus group discussions.

Setting

University or hospital facilities in Toronto, Thunder Bay, and Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Subjects

Seventeen physicians and 20 allied health professionals.

Methods

Six focus group discussions were conducted at three different sites during 2014 and 2015. Transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative-descriptive approach involving analytic immersion in the data, reflection, and achieving consensus around themes discerned from transcribed discussions.

Results

Findings resolved into five main themes: 1) challenges of managing chronic pain in primary care; 2) ECHO participation and improvement in patient-provider interaction and participant knowledge; 3) the diffusion of knowledge gained through ECHO to participants' colleagues and patients; 4) ECHO participation generating a sense of community; and 5) disadvantages associated with participating in ECHO.

Conclusions

Managing patients with chronic pain in primary care can be difficult, particularly in remote or underserved practices. Project ECHO offers guidance to primary care practitioners for their most challenging patients, promotes knowledge acquisition and diffusion, and stimulates the development of a "community of practice."

Assessing the Value of Time Series Real-World and Clinical Trial Data vs. Baseline-Only Data in Predicting Responses to Pregabalin Therapy for Patients with Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Treatment challenges necessitate new approaches to customize care to individual patient needs. Integrating data from randomized controlled trials and observational studies may reduce potential covariate biases, yielding information to improve treatment outcomes. The objective of this study was to predict pregabalin responses, in individuals with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, by examining time series data (lagged inputs) collected after treatment initiation vs. baseline using microsimulation.

METHODS

The platform simulated pregabalin-treated patients to estimate hypothetical future pain responses over 6 weeks based on six distinct time series regressions with lagged variables as inputs (hereafter termed "time series regressions"). Data were from three randomized controlled trials (N = 398) and an observational study (N = 3159). Regressions were derived after performing a hierarchical cluster analysis with a matched patient dataset from coarsened exact matching. Regressions were validated using unmatched (observational study vs. randomized controlled trial) patients. Predictive implications (of 6-week outcomes) were compared using only baseline vs. 1- to 2-week prior data.

RESULTS

Time series regressions for pain performed well (adjusted R² 0.85-0.91; root mean square error 0.53-0.57); those with only baseline data performed less well (adjusted R² 0.13-0.44; root mean square error 1.11-1.40). Simulated patient distributions yielded positive predictive values for > 50% pain score improvements from baseline for the six clusters (287-777 patients each; range 0.87-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

Effective prediction of pregabalin response for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy was accomplished through combining cluster analyses, coarsened exact matching, and time series regressions, reflecting distinct patterns of baseline and "on-treatment" variables. These results advance the understanding of microsimulation to predict patient treatment responses through integration and inter-relationships of multiple, complex, and time-dependent characteristics.

Where should analgesia lead to? Quality of life and functional recovery with tapentadol

Chronic pain is a major health-care problem worldwide, affecting more than one out of five adults in Europe. Although multiple analgesic agents have been extensively investigated in terms of clinical response and tolerability profile, few studies have focused on the impact of these therapies on patients' quality of life (QoL). Of note, improvement in QoL, together with functional recovery, has been recognized since the late 1990s as two main goals of analgesic therapy. Tapentadol is a novel analgesic molecule that synergistically combines two mechanisms of action, µ-opioid receptor agonism and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, and for which multiple literature data are available that confirm its efficacy and safety in controlling pain. This narrative review summarizes the information available on the impact of tapentadol on QoL, with the aim to provide clinicians with a comprehensive overview of the analgesic effects of tapentadol prolonged release beyond the reduction of pain.

More than pills: alternative adjunct therapies to improve comfort in hospitalised patients

Discomfort in the hospitalised patient continues to be one of the healthcare system’s greatest challenges to positive patient outcomes. The patients’ ability to focus on healing is impaired by discomforts such as pain, nausea and anxiety. Alternative, non-pharmacological therapies have shown to be effective in reducing discomfort and managing pain, complementing analgesic agents and optimising pain therapy modalities. This multi-cycle project is aimed to assess the effect of alternative therapies on inpatient, progressive care patients who reported discomfort or little to no relief in discomfort from prescribed analgesics and adjuvant agents. In the first Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycle, patients who reported discomfort were offered aromatherapy or visual relaxation DVDs. In the second PDSA cycle, patients were offered a comfort menu that consisted of multiple alternative interventions such as aromatherapy, ice or heat and ambulation. During each cycle, participants completed a survey measuring comfort levels before and after patient-selected alternative intervention(s) were administered. In the first PDSA cycle, 88% of patients reported an increase in comfort level after the intervention, and 97% reported an interest in using alternative therapy again. In the second PDSA cycle, 47% reported increased comfort, and 89% indicated a willingness to try alternative therapies again for improvement of comfort level. Overall, the quality improvement project increased the level of comfort reported by hospitalised patients, creating a gateway to comfort with less emphasis on prescribed analgesic medications.

The juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS): a poorly defined disorder

Juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS) is a chronic condition characterized by symptoms of chronic diffuse musculoskeletal pain and multiple painful tender points on palpation. It is often accompanied by fatigue, disorders of sleep, chronic headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and subjective soft tissue swelling. The complexity of the presenting clinical picture in JPFS has not been sufficiently defined in the literature. Similarities to adult fibromyalgia syndrome in JFMS are often difficult to compare, because many of the symptoms are "medically unexplained" and often overlap frequently with other medical conditions. However, a valid diagnosis of JFMS often decreases parents' anxiety, reduces unnecessary further investigations, and provides a rational framework for a management plan. The diagnostic criteria proposed by Yunus and Masi in 1985 to define JFMS were never validated or critically analyzed. In most cases, the clinical diagnosis is based on the history, the physical examination that demonstrates general tenderness (muscle, joints, tendons), the absence of other pathological conditions that could explain pain and fatigue, and the normal basic laboratory tests. Research and clinical observations defined that JFMS may have a chronic course that impacts the functional status and the psychosocial development of children and adolescents. This paper briefly reviews the existing knowledge on JFMS focusing on the diagnosis, clinical and the epidemiological characteristics in children and adolescents for better understanding of this disorder.