Western Medicine Treatments for Chronic Pain

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Chronic Noncancer Pain ◽  
Noncancer Pain

Overall, how effective is Western medicine at treating chronic pain? Not very, which is especially discouraging for people with low back pain, headaches, joint pain, and neck pain—the biggest causes of chronic noncancer pain in America.1 Indeed, more than 28 percent of all...

scholarly journals Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology, Scope, and Impact of Spinal Pain

2009 ◽  
Vol 4;12 (4;7) ◽  
pp. E35-E70
Author(s):  
Laxmaiah Manchikanti
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Spinal Pain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Chronic Pain Syndrome

Persistent pain interfering with daily activities is common. Chronic pain has been defined in many ways. Chronic pain syndrome is a separate entity from chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as, “pain that persists 6 months after an injury and beyond the usual course of an acute disease or a reasonable time for a comparable injury to heal, that is associated with chronic pathologic processes that cause continuous or intermittent pain for months or years, that may continue in the presence or absence of demonstrable pathologies; may not be amenable to routine pain control methods; and healing may never occur.” In contrast, chronic pain syndrome has been defined as a complex condition with physical, psychological, emotional, and social components. The prevalence of chronic pain in the adult population ranges from 2% to 40%, with a median point prevalence of 15%. Among chronic pain disorders, pain arising from various structures of the spine constitutes the majority of the problems. The lifetime prevalence of spinal pain has been reported as 54% to 80%. Studies of the prevalence of low back pain and neck pain and its impact in general have shown 23% of patients reporting Grade II to IV low back pain (high pain intensity with disability) versus 15% with neck pain. Further, age related prevalence of persistent pain appears to be much more common in the elderly associated with functional limitations and difficulty in performing daily life activities. Chronic persistent low back and neck pain is seen in 25% to 60% of patients, one-year or longer after the initial episode. Spinal pain is associated with significant economic, societal, and health impact. Estimates and patterns of productivity losses and direct health care expenditures among individuals with back and neck pain in the United States continue to escalate. Recent studies have shown significant increases in the prevalence of various pain problems including low back pain. Frequent use of opioids in managing chronic non-cancer pain has been a major issue for health care in the United States placing a significant strain on the economy with the majority of patients receiving opioids for chronic pain necessitating an increased production of opioids, and escalating costs of opioid use, even with normal intake. The additional costs of misuse, abuse, and addiction are enormous. Comorbidities including psychological and physical conditions and numerous other risk factors are common in spinal pain and add significant complexities to the interventionalist’s clinical task. This section of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP)/EvidenceBased Medicine (EBM) guidelines evaluates the epidemiology, scope, and impact of spinal pain and its relevance to health care interventions. Key words: Chronic pain, chronic spinal pain, chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain, chronic thoracic pain, prevalence, health care utilization, loss of productivity, interventional techniques, surgery, comorbid factors, socioeconomic effects, health care impact

scholarly journals Long-term Safety and Tolerability of NKTR-181 in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain or Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Phase 3 Multicenter, Open-Label, 52-Week Study (SUMMIT-08 LTS)

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1347-1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Gudin ◽  
Richard Rauck ◽  
Charles Argoff ◽  
Eva Agaiby ◽  
Joseph Gimbel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Chronic Noncancer Pain ◽  
Noncancer Pain

Abstract Objective To evaluate the long-term safety of NKTR-181, a novel mu-opioid receptor agonist that may have reduced human abuse potential, in patients with moderate to severe chronic low back pain (CLBP) or other chronic noncancer pain (CNP). Design Uncontrolled, multicenter, open-label, long-term study of NKTR-181 comprised of three periods: screening (≤21 days), treatment (52 weeks), and safety follow-up (∼14 days after the last dose of NKTR-181). Setting Multicenter, long-term clinical research study. Methods NKTR-181 administered at doses of 100–600 mg twice daily (BID) was evaluated in opioid-naïve and opioid-experienced patients. Patients were enrolled de novo or following completion of the randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 efficacy study (SUMMIT-07). Safety assessments included adverse event documentation, measurements of opioid withdrawal, and clinical laboratory tests. Effectiveness was assessed using the modified Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (mBPI-SF). Results The study enrolled 638 patients. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were constipation (26%) and nausea (12%). Serious TEAEs, reported in 5% of patients, were deemed by investigators to be unrelated to NKTR-181. There were no deaths or reported cases of respiratory depression. A sustained reduction in mBPI-SF pain intensity and pain interference from baseline to study termination was observed throughout treatment. Only 2% of patients discontinued NKTR-181 due to lack of efficacy, and 11% discontinued due to treatment-related AEs. NKTR-181 doses of up to 600 mg BID were generally well tolerated, and patients experienced low rates of opioid-related adverse events. Conclusions The study results support the premise that NKTR-181 is a safe and effective option for patients with moderate to severe CLBP or CNP.

scholarly journals Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Immune Cells in Osteoarthritis, Chronic Low Back Pain, and Chronic Widespread Pain Patients: Association with Anxiety and Depression

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 327
Author(s):  
Dominique Josephine Dimmek ◽  
Christoph Korallus ◽  
Sabine Buyny ◽  
Gutenbrunner Christoph ◽  
Ralf Lichtinghagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Chronic Widespread Pain ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Widespread Pain ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
Pain Patients

Background and Objectives: Musculoskeletal dysfunction can induce several types of chronic pain syndromes. It is of particular interest to elucidate the pathomechanism of different forms of chronic pain. It is possible that patients who have developed chronic widespread pain (CWP) may endure different pathomechanisms as compared to those who suffer from local pain (osteoarthritis, OA) and regional pain (chronic low back pain, cLBP), especially with regard to pain regulation and its related biomediators. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in pathomechanisms among these patients by measuring pain-related biomediators, particularly brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Additionally, subpopulations of immune cells were determined in parallel. Materials and Methods: Patients and healthy subjects (HSs) were recruited (age and gender-matched). BDNF was measured from serum samples of patients and HSs and the data of body composition parameters were recorded. Additionally, both patients and HSs were asked to fill in questionnaires related to pain intensity, anxiety, and depression. Results: Our results highlight that the levels of both free and total BDNF are significantly lower in pain patients compared to HSs, with p values of 0.041 and 0.024, respectively. The number of CD3− CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells shows significant differences between the groups. Comparing all chronic pain patients with HSs reveals a significantly lower number of CD4+ CD8+ T cells (p = 0.031), CD3− CD56bright NK cells (p = 0.049) and CD20+ CD3− cells (p = 0.007). Conclusions: To conclude, it seems that a general conformity between the pathomechanisms of different chronic pain diseases exists, although there are unique findings only in specific chronic pain patients.

scholarly journals Estimating the population health burden of musculoskeletal conditions using primary care electronic health records

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dahai Yu ◽  
George Peat ◽  
Kelvin P Jordan ◽  
James Bailey ◽  
Daniel Prieto-Alhambra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Electronic Health Records ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Musculoskeletal Health ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Electronic Health

Abstract Objectives Better indicators from affordable, sustainable data sources are needed to monitor population burden of musculoskeletal conditions. We propose five indicators of musculoskeletal health and assessed if routinely available primary care electronic health records (EHR) can estimate population levels in musculoskeletal consulters. Methods We collected validated patient-reported measures of pain experience, function and health status through a local survey of adults (≥35 years) presenting to English general practices over 12 months for low back pain, shoulder pain, osteoarthritis and other regional musculoskeletal disorders. Using EHR data we derived and validated models for estimating population levels of five self-reported indicators: prevalence of high impact chronic pain, overall musculoskeletal health (based on Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire), quality of life (based on EuroQoL health utility measure), and prevalence of moderate-to-severe low back pain and moderate-to-severe shoulder pain. We applied models to a national EHR database (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) to obtain national estimates of each indicator for three successive years. Results The optimal models included recorded demographics, deprivation, consultation frequency, analgesic and antidepressant prescriptions, and multimorbidity. Applying models to national EHR, we estimated that 31.9% of adults (≥35 years) presenting with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders in England in 2016/17 experienced high impact chronic pain. Estimated population health levels were worse in women, older aged and those in the most deprived neighbourhoods, and changed little over 3 years. Conclusion National and subnational estimates for a range of subjective indicators of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal health conditions can be obtained using information from routine electronic health records.

Lumbar Facet–Mediated Pain

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram B Patel
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Lower Back Pain ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Facet Joint Pain ◽  
And Function ◽  
Lumbar Facet

Lumbar or lower back pain is a very debilitating condition that affects  almost one fifth of the adult population during a given year. Almost everyone walking on two feet is bound to suffer from some back pain during their lifetime. The health care burden for treating low back pain is enormous, especially if the lost work hours are combined with the amount used in diagnosing and treating low back pain. Lumbar facet (zygapophysial) joints are one of the major components involved in causing lower back pain. Diagnosing the pain generator is more of an art than a science. Combining various parameters in the patient’s history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies is not much different from solving a murder mystery. Although facet joint pain may be accompanied by other pain generators, that is, lumbar intervertebral disks, nerve roots, and vertebral bodies, once treated, the relief in pain is more helpful in performing proper rehabilitation and improving further deterioration in low back pain. Muscles are almost always painful due to myofascial pain syndrome that accompanies the facet joint–related pain. Treating one without addressing the other leads to failure in management and optimization of patient’s pain and function. Several treatments are available for treatment of facet joint–mediated pain, including steroid injections using a miniscule amount and radiofrequency ablation of the nerves supplying the facet joints (medial branches of the dorsal primary ramus of the lumbar nerve root). With proper diagnosis and treatment, a patient’s pain and function can be optimized to a level where it may not impact the day-to-day activities or even resumption of the patient’s routine job function. The following review describes the anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of lumbar facet joint–mediated pain.   Key words: facet joint pain, facet joint syndrome, low back pain, medial branch radiofrequency, spondylolisthesis

scholarly journals An Observational Study Comparing Fibromyalgia and Chronic Low Back Pain in Somatosensory Sensitivity, Motor Function and Balance

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1533
Author(s):  
José Antonio Mingorance ◽  
Pedro Montoya ◽  
José García Vivas Miranda ◽  
Inmaculada Riquelme
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Somatosensory Sensitivity ◽  
Chronic Pain Conditions

Fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) have shared pathophysiology and have a considerable impact on patients’ daily activities and quality of life. The main objective of this study was to compare pain impact, somatosensory sensitivity, motor functionality, and balance among 60 patients with FM, 60 patients with CLBP, and 60 pain-free controls aged between 30 and 65 years. It is essential to know the possible differences existing in symptomatology of two of the major chronic pain processes that most affect the population, such as FM and CLBP. The fact of establishing possible differences in sensory thresholds, motor function, and proprioceptive measures among patients with FM and CLBP could bring us closer to a greater knowledge of the chronic pain process. Through an observational study, a comparison was made between the three groups (FM, CLBP, and pain-free controls) evaluating functional performance, postural balance, kinematic gait parameters, strength, depression, fatigue, and sensitivity to pain and vibration. Patients with chronic pain showed worse somatosensory sensitivity (p < 0.001) and motor function (p < 0.001) than pain-free controls. Moreover, patients with FM showed greater pain impact (p < 0.001) and bigger somatosensory (p < 0.001) and motor deficiencies (p < 0.001) than patients with CLBP. Further research should explore the possible reasons for the greater deterioration in patients with FM in comparison with other chronic pain conditions. Our results, showing the multiple areas susceptible of deterioration, make it necessary to adopt interdisciplinary interventions focused both on physical and emotional dysfunction.

scholarly journals The burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region of the World Health Organization (EMRO): Study period 2000-2017

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jafar Yahyavi Dizaj ◽  
Manijeh Soleimanifar ◽  
Reza Hashempour ◽  
Ali Kazemi Karyani ◽  
Fateh Mohsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Back ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background: MSK health is imperative for the active participation of an individual in society and MSK related disorders more direly affects a person's quality of life compared other non-communicable disease while it also negatively effects the health system and economy of a country. The current manuscript analyzed and describes the disease burden of MSK disorders in the EMRO region.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted based on data published by the Global Burden of Disease Database for MSK disorders up to 2017. The study target comprised population from all countries of the EMRO region of World Health Organization. The present study considered, MSK disorders such as (rheumatoid arthritis), (osteoarthritis), (Low back pain), (neck pain), (gout) and (other Musculoskeletal disorders. The DALY index was used to measure total disease burden.Results: MSK disorders in the world and in the EMRO region was ranked 5th (4% of total disease burden) and 7th (5% of total disease burden) among all diseases in 2017, respectively. Women over 30 years of age in the EMRO region had the highest risk of MSK disorders compared to other regions and in addition, the DALY lost in EMRO region due to MSK disorders was higher in women of all age categories than men. According to the results of this study, Low back pain, Other musculoskeletal disorders and Neck pain had the highest prevalence and burden of disease in the EMRO region and the world. Bahrain, Iran, and Morocco had the highest incidence of MSK DALY score in the EMRO region, and Somalia, Djibouti, and Afghanistan had the lowest incidence of MSK disorders and DALY score, respectively.Conclusion: With the increase in geriatric population and obesity especially in developing countries, consequently, more people tend to suffer from MSK disorders and it is predicted that this spike will continue in the coming decades. Taking in to account the high prevalence and burden of MSK disorders, forces government and health-policy makers to focus more on preventive cares and rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Effect of the duration of chronic low back pain on pain sensitivity of patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery

Pain medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Mei-ping Qian ◽  
Mei-rong Dong ◽  
Fang Kang ◽  
Juan Li
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Lumbar Fusion ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Fusion Surgery ◽  
Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Background: chronic low back pain is a serious social problem. In recent years, patients who choose lumbar fusion surgery due to chronic low back pain has been increasing. Pre-existing chronic pain has been associated with severe postoperative pain. In this study, we have sought to prospectively analyze the association between the duration of chronic low back pain and pain sensitivity after lumbar fusion surgery. Methods: 400 patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery were divided into three groups based on the duration of chronic pain. During the first postoperative day, the maximum pain scores of each patient day and night, the pain scores at the day of discharge, the consumption of postoperative analgesics and the length of hospital stay were recorded. Results: of 400 patients recruited, 369 patients completed the experiment. There was no significant difference in gender, age, height, weight, pre-operative pain at rest, and operation time in the three groups. During the day, the pain sensitivity of the three groups were 1.71 ± 0.66, 2.40 ± 0.74, 2.90 ± 0.80. During the night, the pain sensitivity of the three groups were 3.45 ± 0.81, 4.31 ± 1.06, 4.86 ± 1.05. At the day of discharge, the pain sensitivity of three groups were 1.26 ± 0.46, 1.47 ± 0.58, 1.96 ± 0.64. There were significant differences in pain sensitivity among the three groups during the day and night on the first postoperative day and at the day of discharge (p < 0.05). The length of hospital stay (7.31 ± 1.36 days, 8.82 ± 1.48 days, 9.60 ± 1.61 days) and analgesic consumption (25.04 ± 36.56 mg, 33.52 ± 24.04 mg, 45.15 ± 24.89 mg, morphine equivalent) were also significant differences (p < 0.05). Conclusion: we found the duration of chronic low back pain before lumbar fusion surgery affects patient’ postoperative pain sensitivity, consumption of analgesic drugs and hospital stay. The longer the preoperative chronic pain lasts, the higher the postoperative VAS score is, the more analgesic drugs were consumed, and the longer hospital stay is.

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