Grading the intensity of nondental orofacial pain: identification of cutoff points for mild, moderate, and severe pain

Prognostic factors for long-term improvement in pain and disability among patients with persistent low back pain

BACKGROUND

Prognostic research in low back pain (LBP) is essential for understanding and managing the condition. This study aimed to, (1) describe the proportions with mild-moderate and severe pain and disability at baseline, 1-year and 4-year follow-up, and (2) investigate prognostic factors for improvement in pain and disability over 4 years in a cohort of secondary care LBP patients.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of a cohort of patients with LBP aged 18-40 years recruited from a non-surgical outpatient spine clinic between March 2011 and October 2013 (n = 1037). Questionnaires were collected at baseline, 1-year, and 4-year follow-up. Disability was assessed using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ 0-100) and pain intensity using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 0-10). 'Mild-moderate pain' was defined as NRS < 7 and 'severe pain' as NRS ≥ 7. Likewise, 'mild-moderate disability' was defined as RMDQ < 58.3, and 'severe disability' was RMDQ ≥ 58.3. In the prognostic analysis, improvement in pain and disability over 4 years was defined as meeting both criteria: decrease of ≥ 2 on the NRS and of ≥ 20.8 on the RMDQ. Sixteen candidate prognostic factors were assessed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among patients with information available at all three time points (n = 241), 54%/48% had persistent mild-moderate pain/disability, while only 7%/15% had persistent severe pain/disability. Of patients included in the multivariate prognostic analysis regarding improvement over 4 years (n = 498), 32% had improved in pain and disability after 4 years. Positive associations were found for pain intensity (OR 1.34 [95%CI: 1.17-1.54]), disability (OR 1.01 [1.00-1.02]), and regular employment or studying (OR 1.67 [1.06-2.64]), and negative associations for episode duration (OR 0.99 [0.99-1.00]) and risk of persistent pain (OR 0.58 [0.38-0.88]).

CONCLUSION

Patients with persistent LBP in secondary care had mostly mild-moderate pain and disability consistently at all three time points, with few having consistently severe symptoms over 4 years. Moreover, approximately half of the included patients improved in pain and disability. We found that pain intensity, disability, episode duration, regular employment or studying, and risk of persistent pain predicted a long-term improvement. However, the limited availability of complete follow-up data may affect generalisability.

Patient-reported outcomes of slow vs rapid miniscrew-supported maxillary expansion in adolescents: secondary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare patient-reported experience between a Penn expander activated every other day vs twice daily.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 patients aged 12-16 years with transverse maxillary deficiency were recruited from the outpatient clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University (February 2019-December 2020). They were randomly allocated to two groups using block randomization (block size of six) and an allocation ratio of 1:1, which was concealed using opaque, sealed, sequentially numbered envelopes. Both groups received Penn expanders anchored by four palatal miniscrews. The slow maxillary expansion (SME) group activated the appliance once every other day. The rapid maxillary expansion (RME) group activated the appliance twice daily. Outcome measures were pain, pressure, headache, dizziness, speech difficulty, chewing difficulty, and swallowing difficulty scores rated by the participants on an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) at the following four time points: before appliance insertion (t1), after first activation (t2), after 1 week of activation (t3), and after last activation (t4).

RESULTS

Data of 24 patients in the SME group (n = 12, mean age = 14.30 ± 1.37 years) and RME group (n = 12, mean age = 15.07 ± 1.59 years) were analyzed. Median scores for all outcomes were in the bottom quartiles of the NRS. No difference was found between the two groups at t1 or t2. Significantly higher scores for all variables, except dizziness and headache, were reported in the RME group at t4.

CONCLUSIONS

Activation of miniscrew-supported expanders resulted in mild to moderate discomfort and functional limitation. Slow activation resulted in a better overall patient experience compared with rapid activation.

Psychologic Impact of Chronic Orofacial Pain: A Critical Review

AIMS

To explore the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and depression in adult patients with chronic orofacial pain (COFP) conditions.

METHODS

A systematic online search of the Medline (PubMed) and Ovid databases was performed for articles published from 2006 to 2019. Observational studies- including cross-sectional, case-control, and case series-and longitudinal prospective studies were included. A total of 118 articles were selected for inclusion, and the prevalence rates of clinically significant anxiety and depression were summarized.

RESULTS

Most studies focused on temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and less often on neuropathic COFP conditions. Prevalence rates varied widely across studies according to OFP condition and assessment measure; most questionnaire-based assessments yielded rates of clinically significant depression and anxiety in, respectively, 40% to 60% and 40% to 65% of individuals with TMD and in 20% to 50% and 25% to 55% of patients with neuropathic, mixed, or idiopathic/atypical COFP conditions. Rates of anxiety and depression were lower in studies using diagnostic instruments and in TMD studies with nonpatient samples. Most controlled studies showed a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression in individuals with COFP than in those without. Higher COFP pain levels and the presence of comorbid conditions such as migraines or widespread pain increased the likelihood of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms in individuals.

CONCLUSION

Clinically significant anxiety and depression were commonly observed in patients with COFP, were present at higher rates than in pain-free participants in controlled studies, and were closely linked to pain severity. More research is needed to evaluate the psychologic impact of multiple COFP conditions in an individual and the prevalence of precondition psychologic morbidity.

Predictive risk factors for persistent pain following total prosthetic temporomandibular joint replacement

The aim of this study was to determine the rate of persistent pain following total TMJ replacement and to identify potential predictive risk factors. A retrospective review of case notes treated by a single surgeon in a tertiary unit was performed. For each patient a number of variables were recorded including visual analogue pain scores (0 to 10) and opioid usage pre surgery and at 12 months or last follow up beyond 12 months. Persistent pain scores of 5 to 7 were regarded as moderate and 8 to 10 as severe. The mean pain score at last follow-up was significantly lower than preoperatively (2.1 vs. 6.3, p < 0.001) with a mean follow-up time of 40.1 months (range 12-44). 16.4% of the patients reported moderate to severe pain and 13.7% were still on regular opioids at the last follow-up. Therefore 15 patients (20.5%) suffered from chronic postoperative pain after TMJ replacement surgery. Patients reporting severe preoperative pain scores (p = 0.04), regular opioid use (p = 0.001) or multiple previous open TMJ surgeries (p = 0.03) were more likely to suffer from chronic persistent pain and these should be regarded as predictive risk factors. The identification of these factors allows for better risk stratification of patients, informed consent and the agreement of expected outcomes. Patients with true articular disease and a single failed surgery should be considered for early total TMJ replacement to minimise multifactorial persistent pain.

Reliability and Validity of the Malaysian English Version of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (M-English DC/TMD)

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of Graded Chronic Pain Scale 2.0 (GCPS 2.0) and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20) of the Malaysian English version of Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (M-English DC/TMD). GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 underwent psychometric analysis involving content, face, criterion, and construct (exploratory factor analysis (EFA), convergent, discriminant, known group) validity including internal and test-retest reliability on 208 samples. The construct validity was assessed against 14 hypotheses and non-parametric statistics were used to assess the data. The GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 had high internal consistencies (α = 0.85 and 0.96) with an intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.95 and 0.97, respectively. The content validity index for GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 were 0.87 and 0.95, respectively. The EFA of GCPS 2.0 identified one factor whereas three factors were identified for JFLS-20. Both instruments had moderate to strong positive correlation with other instruments when assessing for concurrent (r = 0.75–0.80, p < 0.01) and convergent (r = 0.58–0.70, p < 0.01) validity, while moderate to high negative correlation (r = −0.86–−0.68, p < 0.01) against the global self-rating oral health items. Based on the study, GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 of the M-English DC/TMD proven to be reliable and valid for use in the Malaysian population with TMD.

Temporomandibular disorders cases with high-impact pain are more likely to experience short-term pain fluctuations

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients can present clinically significant jaw pain fluctuations which can be debilitating and lead to poor global health. The Graded Chronic Pain Scale evaluates pain-related disability and its dichotomous grading (high/low impact pain) can determine patient care pathways and in general high-impact pain patients have worse treatment outcomes. Individuals with low-impact TMD pain are thought to have better psychosocial functioning, more favorable disease course, and better ability to control pain, while individuals with high-impact pain can present with higher levels of physical and psychological symptoms. Thereby, there is reason to believe that individuals with low- and high-impact TMD pain could experience different pain trajectories over time. Our primary objective was to determine if short-term jaw pain fluctuations serve as a clinical marker for the impact status of TMD pain. To this end, we estimated the association between high/low impact pain status and jaw pain fluctuations over three visits (≤ 21-day-period) in 30 TMD cases. Secondarily, we measured the association between jaw pain intensity and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) over the face and hand, the latter measurements compared to matched pain-free controls (n = 17). Jaw pain fluctuations were more frequent among high-impact pain cases (n = 15) than low-impact pain cases (n = 15) (OR 5.5; 95% CI 1.2, 26.4; p value = 0.033). Jaw pain ratings were not associated with PPT ratings (p value > 0.220), suggesting different mechanisms for clinical versus experimental pain. Results from this proof-of-concept study suggest that targeted treatments to reduce short-term pain fluctuations in high-impact TMD pain is a potential strategy to achieve improved patient perception of clinical pain management outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of diode laser during circumvestibular incision for Le Fort I osteotomy in orthognathic surgery: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial

The aim of this triple-blind randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of diode laser during circumvestibular incisions for Le Fort I osteotomy in orthognathic surgeries in comparison with conventional techniques using electrocautery and scalpel. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups based on the technique employed to perform incisions: diode laser, electrocautery, and scalpel. The parameters used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of diode laser were incision velocity, duration of surgery, bleeding rate, alterations in postoperative functions, pain, edema, wound clinical healing, and infection. Thirty patients were enrolled in the study (10 per group). Regarding bleeding, the incisions performed with diode laser promoted a lower bleeding rate compared with scalpel and electrocautery (p = 0.00). The diode surgical laser was effective during the incision procedure, but required a longer time to perform the incisions compared with the other techniques evaluated (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected between groups regarding total surgical time or other safety parameters (p > 0.05). Thus, diode laser proved to be effective and safer during circumvestibular incisions for Le Fort I osteotomy than conventional devices.

Favourable prognosis of trigeminal neuralgia when enrolled in a multidisciplinary management program - a two-year prospective real-life study

BACKGROUND

Prognosis of medically treated trigeminal neuralgia patients is assumed to be poor, but the evidence is lacking. Thus, prospective real-life studies of medical management of trigeminal neuralgia are warranted.

METHODS

This was an observational study. Patients were consecutively enrolled in a structured management program at a specialist centre for facial pain. Optimisation of medical treatment, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, and advice from trained nurses, were parts of the program. Medically intractable patients were referred for neurosurgery. Data-collection was prospective using standardised schemes and patient surveys. The aim was to describe the two-year outcome of medical treatment at the specialist centre. The primary outcome was a 50% reduction in the overall burden of pain according to a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) after two years.

RESULTS

A total of 186 primary TN patients were enrolled in the program of which 103 patients remained medically managed and completed the two-year follow-up. Fifty patients were treated surgically within the first two years of follow-up. Half of the medically managed patients (53 (51%)), had more than a 50% reduction in the overall burden of pain over the two-year period. The overall burden of pain on NRS decreased from mean 5.34 to 3.00, p < 0.01. There was no significant association between primary outcome and sex, depression and/or anxiety, concomitant persistent pain, or neurovascular contact with morphological changes of the trigeminal nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with trigeminal neuralgia improve over a two-year period when enrolled in a structured medical management program. Optimisation of drug treatment, continuous advice and education and support by the multidisciplinary team, referral of the medically intractable patients for surgery or the natural history of the disease, can be some of the reasons for the improvement. The favourable prognosis provides hope and optimism for medically managed TN patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current study was observational, and patients were offered standard clinical care and laboratory workups according to current American Academy of Neurology and European Federation of Neurological Societies treatment guidelines. The study has been registered at ClincalTrials.gov. ID: NCT03838393 .

Brief Pain Inventory: A proposal to extend its clinical application

BACKGROUND

This study presents an adaptation of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) extending its use in clinical/epidemiological contexts and the evaluation of the properties of BPI (short form) in a sample of Brazilian adults.

METHODS

Part of item 1 of this instrument was removed because it prevented the participation of individuals with usual pain. In addition to the reference period of original response "last 24 hr," a new period "last pain experience" was proposed. Individuals responded about the presence/lack and onset of pain. Individuals who reported pain in the last 24 hr before the interview answered the BPI considering both reference periods. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to check the fit of five theoretical BPI models.

RESULTS

A total of 1,176 adults participated (79.0% women; 38.7 (SD = 10.8) years), 29.2% did not report pain in the last 24 hr, 33.6% reported pain <3 months and 37.2% pain ≥3 months. All theoretical BPI models presented adequate fit indices (GFI ≥ 0.9; RMSEA < 0.1; α ≥ 0.7) when both reference periods were used. In conclusion, the adaptations proposed can contribute to extend the use of BPI.

CONCLUSIONS

The reference period of responses and the theoretical model used must be chosen according to the needs of the researcher and/or physician.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study presents evidence related to the validity of applying the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) in adults with and without pain considering the present pain or memory of pain, enabling the clinician to collect additional information that may be relevant to the clinical management of pain.

High-power diode laser in the circumvestibular incision for Le Fort I osteotomy in orthognathic surgery: a prospective case series study

The incisions during orthognathic surgery are classically performed with conventional scalpel or electrocautery. Considering that the high-power diode laser surgery may provide advantages when compared to conventional incision techniques, the current study aimed to present a prospective case series of patients submitted to circumvestibular incision for Le Fort I osteotomy. Ten patients with dentofacial deformities who underwent to rapid assisted maxillary expansion or bimaxillary orthognathic surgery were enrolled in the study. All incisions were performed by a single surgeon using an 808-nm diode laser, with an optical fiber of 600 μm, at a power of 2.5 W, in a continuous-wave mode. The performance of the incision was evaluated by incision velocity, bleeding, edema, secondary infection, clinical healing, and pain. The velocity of the incision ranged from 0.10 to 0.20 mm/s (mean 0.13 ± 0.03 mm/s). Considering bleeding during the soft tissue incision, all surgeries were classified as absent bleeding. All patients presented a clinical healing of the surgical wound in a period that range from 3 to 5 weeks and experienced swelling during the follow-up period. On average, approximately 50% of the swelling had resolved after the third postoperative week, and 28.8% of swelling remained after 2 months after the surgery. The pain decreased after 2 and 3 days, and 90.0% of the patients reported no pain after 7 postoperative days. High-power diode laser is effective and safety during circumvestibular incisions for Le Fort I osteotomy in orthognathic surgery decreasing bleeding, surgery time, pain, and edema after orthognathic surgery.

Persistent idiopathic facial pain

Background

Persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) is a chronic disorder recurring daily for more than two hours per day over more than three months, in the absence of clinical neurological deficit. PIFP is the current terminology for Atypical Facial Pain and is characterized by daily or near daily pain that is initially confined but may subsequently spread. Pain cannot be attributed to any pathological process, although traumatic neuropathic mechanisms are suspected. When present intraorally, PIFP has been termed ‘Atypical Odontalgia’, and this entity is discussed in a separate article in this special issue. PIFP is often a difficult but important differential diagnosis among chronic facial pain syndromes.

Aim

To summarize current knowledge on diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of PIFP.

Methods

We present a narrative review reporting current literature and personal experience. Additionally, we discuss and differentiate the common differential diagnoses associated with PIFP including traumatic trigeminal neuropathies, regional myofascial pain, atypical neurovascular pains and atypical trigeminal neuropathic pains.

Results and conclusion

The underlying pathophysiology in PIFP is still enigmatic, however neuropathic mechanisms may be relevant. PIFP needs interdisciplinary collaboration to rule out and manage secondary causes, psychiatric comorbidities and other facial pain syndromes, particularly trigeminal neuralgia. Burden of disease and psychiatric comorbidity screening is recommended at an early stage of disease, and should be addressed in the management plan. Future research is needed to establish clear diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies based on clinical findings and individual pathophysiology.

Cut-Off Points for Mild, Moderate, and Severe Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Variability and Influence of Sex and Catastrophizing

Objectives: The 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is often used in pain management. The aims of our study were to determine the cut-off points for mild, moderate, and severe pain in terms of pain-related interference with functioning in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, to measure the variability of the optimal cut-off points, and to determine the influence of patients' catastrophizing and their sex on these cut-off points. Methods: 2854 patients were included. Pain was assessed by the NRS, functioning by the Pain Disability Index (PDI) and catastrophizing by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Cut-off point schemes were tested using ANOVAs with and without using the PSC scores or sex as co-variates and with the interaction between CP scheme and PCS score and sex, respectively. The variability of the optimal cut-off point schemes was quantified using bootstrapping procedure. Results and conclusion: The study showed that NRS scores ≤ 5 correspond to mild, scores of 6-7 to moderate and scores ≥8 to severe pain in terms of pain-related interference with functioning. Bootstrapping analysis identified this optimal NRS cut-off point scheme in 90% of the bootstrapping samples. The interpretation of the NRS is independent of sex, but seems to depend on catastrophizing. In patients with high catastrophizing tendency, the optimal cut-off point scheme equals that for the total study sample, but in patients with a low catastrophizing tendency, NRS scores ≤ 3 correspond to mild, scores of 4-6 to moderate and scores ≥7 to severe pain in terms of interference with functioning. In these optimal cut-off schemes, NRS scores of 4 and 5 correspond to moderate interference with functioning for patients with low catastrophizing tendency and to mild interference for patients with high catastrophizing tendency. Theoretically one would therefore expect that among the patients with NRS scores 4 and 5 there would be a higher average PDI score for those with low catastrophizing than for those with high catastrophizing. However, we found the opposite. The fact that we did not find the same optimal CP scheme in the subgroups with lower and higher catastrophizing tendency may be due to chance variability.