Chronic pain in cats: Recent advances in clinical assessment

Practical relevance: Chronic pain is a feline health and welfare issue. It has a negative impact on quality of life and impairs the owner–cat bond. Chronic pain can exist by itself or may be associated with disease and/or injury, including osteoarthritis (OA), cancer, and oral and periodontal disease, among others. Clinical challenges: Chronic pain assessment is a fundamental part of feline practice, but can be challenging due to differences in pain mechanisms underlying different conditions, and the cat’s natural behavior. It relies mostly on owner-assessed behavioral changes and time-consuming veterinary consultations. Beyond OA – for which disease-specific clinical signs have been described – little is known regarding other feline conditions that produce chronic pain. Recent advances: Knowledge of the subject has, however, greatly improved in the past few years, informed by study of the mechanisms of pain in cats with OA and the development of pain scales that can be used by owners or veterinarians. Pain scales may facilitate the diagnosis and follow-up evaluation of chronic painful conditions, providing a basis for therapeutic decision-making. Assessment of quality of life is also recommended in cats with chronic pain, and its improvement can be used as a positive outcome in response to therapy. Aims: This article reviews recent advances and presents the challenges and some future perspectives on clinical chronic pain assessment. The most common feline chronic conditions associated with pain are also described.

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Pain Assessment: Benefits of Using Pain Scales for Surgical Patients in South Bohemian Hospitals

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9020171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 171

Author(s):

Vera Olisarova ◽

Valerie Tothova ◽

Martin Cerveny ◽

Vendula Dvorakova ◽

Petr Sadilek

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pain Management ◽

Pain Assessment ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Surgical Patients ◽

The South ◽

Pain Scales ◽

Emotional Component ◽

Attention To Pain

Pain is a medical and nursing problem that is common in surgical departments. Inadequate pain management can lead to patient distress, as well as extending the period in which the patient’s quality of life is reduced. The standardized SF-MPQ-2 questionnaire provides nurses with the opportunity to assess pain within a broader context. The aim of this descriptive and exploratory study was to describe the state of pain assessment in surgical patients in the South Bohemian Region and to highlight the benefits of using a standardized tool for proper pain assessment. The research was carried out using a quantitative survey within the South Bohemian Region (Czech Republic). The participants in the study were nurses working in surgical departments in hospitals in the region as well as hospitalized patients. The results show that nurses pay slightly more attention to pain assessments than doctors. We know that, generally, pain decreases with time after surgery. Nonetheless, returning pain, as well as continuous pain, can occur, both of which have an emotional component. The results of this study are directed at nurses and include a call for more effective pain management through improved assessment.

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Experience of using Neurouridine® in various types of peripheral neuropathy

International Professional Journal Medicine ◽

10.31082/1728-452x-2020-217-218-7-8-29-36 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7-8 (217-218) ◽

pp. 29-36

Author(s):

Nazira Zharkinbekova ◽

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Aiganym Khamidulina ◽

Zhazira Barat ◽

Botagoz Rustemova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Peripheral Neuropathy ◽

Pain Assessment ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Symptomatic Therapy ◽

Chronic Pain Syndrome ◽

Combination Drug ◽

Face Scale

The quality of life of patients with chronic pain syndrome remains one of the most pressing issues. Pain is considered chronic if it lasts or recurs for more than 3-6 months. This contributes to disability, depression, sleep disorders, poor quality of life, and what is important in this situation, the cost of treatment. According to statistics, the average prevalence of chronic pain in the adult population is 20%. Practitioners everywhere are in search of new methods of pain relief. Purpose of research. The quality of life of patients with chronic pain syndrome has traditionally remained a topical issue. Given the permanent nature of pain and the completeness of approaches to its relief, the modern Clinician is constantly looking for new treatment methods that meet the principles of evidence-based medicine and safety. Material and methods. This paper presents the results of using Neurouridine® in 30 patients with peripheral neuropathy. 30 patients were randomized for a 3-week treatment period. Average age: 47.5±1.5 years. All patients received standard symptomatic therapy, and an oral combination drug containing b vitamins, folic acid, choline, and Uridine was added to the treatment in the 150 mg mode once a day. Patients made three visits to the outpatient neurological office: visit 1-to evaluate pre-treatment, visit 2-after 10 days of treatment, and visit 3-after 20 days of treatment. Each patient was presented with two performance evaluations at each study visit: pain assessment on the CRS NRS scale, and the fps Face scale. Results and discussion. Analysis of the results of the treatment showed improvement in the form of reduced pain, improved quality of life in 65.90%, rapid recovery of performance in 32.10%, reduced need for analgesics in 59.90% and complete disappearance of symptoms in 25.30% of patients. Pain was assessed using the HI NRG scale, the AZA Face scale, and the frequency of analgesics at the patient's first, second, and third visits. Conclusion. The use of Neurouridine® for analgesic purposes has shown a positive effect on reducing symptoms in patients with peripheral neuropathy. The results confirm that this therapy provides a clear regeneration of the nerves, relieving pain, and reducing the soreness characteristic of nerve damage. Keyword: peripheral neuropathy, Neurouridine®, pain assessment, quality of life.

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Systematic Pain Assessment and Management

Palliative Care in Nephrology ◽

10.1093/med/9780190945527.003.0015 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 148-166

Author(s):

Sara N. Davison

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Pain Assessment ◽

Prescribing Patterns ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Chronic Disorder ◽

Psychosocial Consequences ◽

Clinically Significant

Patients with chronic kidney disease suffer from high rates of pain. Pain is a highly complex, multidimensional, and personal phenomenon with far reaching physical and psychosocial consequences if the pain progresses to become a chronic disorder. Systematic integration of global symptom screening needs to be incorporated into routine kidney care, followed by a comprehensive pain assessment for those with clinically significant pain, keeping in mind the overall goal is to promote functionality and quality of life and not to necessarily completely resolve the pain. There is tremendous variability within and between countries in the management of pain, including the prescribing patterns of analgesics. This chapter outlines a systematic approach to the assessment and management of acute and chronic pain with both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions.

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Recent advances in managing fecal incontinence

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.15270.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 1291

Author(s):

Giovanna Da Silva ◽

Anne Sirany

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Fecal Incontinence ◽

Medical Management ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Surgical Interventions ◽

Recent Advances

Fecal incontinence (FI) is the uncontrolled passage of feces or gas in an individual who previously had control. The prevalence of the problem varies but can be as high as 50% of institutionalized individuals. The severity varies among individuals, but the negative impact on self-esteem and quality of life can have devastating effects. The goals of treatment are to decrease the frequency and severity of episodes as well as to improve quality of life. At present, several therapies, ranging from medical management to more invasive surgical interventions, are offered for the management of FI. In this article, we review the most recent advances in the management of FI.

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Effects of COVID-19 Social Distancing Measures in Individuals with Chronic Pain Living in Spain in the Late Stages of the Lockdown

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182211732 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 11732

Author(s):

Jordi Miró ◽

Elisabet Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽

Alexandra Ferreira-Valente ◽

José Pais-Ribeiro ◽

Antonella Ciaramella

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Online Survey ◽

Family Income ◽

Pain Treatment ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Good Health ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Late Stages

Social distancing measures during the lockdown have had a negative impact on chronic pain patients’ function. Research, however, has only focused on the early stages of the first lockdowns. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the effects of COVID-19 social distancing measures on individuals with chronic pain living in Spain during the late stages of the lockdown. A group of 361 adults with pain participated in this study. They responded to an online survey and provided information on sociodemographic issues, pain, fatigue, perceived health, and quality of life. The data showed that most participants suffered moderate to severe pain and interferences with pain treatment and an increase in pain intensity during the lockdown. Most participants also informed us that fatigue had worsened during the lockdown (62%). Importantly, females with lower monthly family income and lower education have been found to be associated with greater levels of pain and fatigue. Despite this, participants perceived themselves as having good health and good quality of life. The findings from this study can be used to inform policy and specific responses for future COVID-19 waves and future pandemics where social distancing measures must be implemented.

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Veterinary management of feline osteoarthritis

The Veterinary Nurse ◽

10.12968/vetn.2021.12.9.402 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 402-407

Author(s):

Cheryl Corral

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Medical Management ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Poor Correlation ◽

Environmental Adaptations ◽

Multimodal Management

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative condition, which causes mobility issues and behavioural changes in affected cats as a result of chronic pain. Despite reports in the literature suggesting a vast prevalence of the condition among the domestic cat population, the condition appears to be underdiagnosed. This is likely due to a combination of subtle clinical signs, lack of owner awareness and poor correlation between radiographical changes and severity of clinical signs. Multimodal management of feline osteoarthritis is likely to be most successful in alleviating pain and improving quality of life. This may include some or all of the following: medical management, rehabilitation therapies, weight loss, environmental adaptations, joint supplements and surgery.

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Recent advances in managing fecal incontinence

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.15270.2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 1291

Author(s):

Giovanna Da Silva ◽

Anne Sirany

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Fecal Incontinence ◽

Medical Management ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Surgical Interventions ◽

Recent Advances

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More than Nail Deep: The Effect of Efinaconazole 10% Treatment on the Quality of Life in Patients with Onychomycosis: A post hoc Study

Skin Appendage Disorders ◽

10.1159/000514361 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Aditya K. Gupta ◽

Maanasa Venkataraman ◽

Emma M. Quinlan ◽

Madhulika A. Gupta ◽

Naveen Anbalagan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Younger Patients ◽

Female Patients ◽

Nail Discoloration ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Post Hoc

Introduction: Onychomycosis is a common, difficult-to-treat fungal nail infection. Clinical signs include nail discoloration and thickening, which patients often find embarrassing, causing a negative impact on their quality of life (QOL). Methods: In this post hoc study, we analyze the effect of efinaconazole 10% solution on a patient’s QOL using patient-reported scores from the OnyCOE-t™ questionnaire (appearance, stigma, physical problems, symptom frequency, symptom bothersomeness, treatment satisfaction, and overall problem). Higher scores corresponded to better functioning, thus higher QOL. Results: Efinaconazole 10% treatment and clinical efficacy were positively correlated with improved QOL in all domains for all groups, except with symptom bothersomeness (how much the onychomycosis symptoms worried or concerned the patient) for female patients <40 years. While still showing improvement in most domains during efficacious treatment, female and younger patients reported lower QOL scores than their male and older counterparts, despite having better clinical outcomes at follow-ups. Discussion: Female and younger patients appear to be more emotionally bothered by their symptoms, regardless of treatment success or improvement of their nail’s appearance, suggesting that onychomycosis is more than nail deep and has a greater psychological effect on these patients. Therefore, younger female patients may require more assurance and mental support.

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