| 1. |
- Butler, Stephen, et al.
(författare)
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The utility/futility of medications for neuropathic pain : an observational study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Pain. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1877-8860 .- 1877-8879. ; 19:2, s. 327-335
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aimsThe RELIEF (Real Life) study by AstraZeneca was designed as an observational study to validate a series of Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) questionnaires in a mixed population of subjects with neuropathic pain (NP) coming from diabetes, neurology and primary care clinics. This article is an analysis of a subset of the information to include the medications used and the effects of pharmacological treatment over 6 months. The RELIEF study was performed during 2010–2013.MethodsSubjects were recruited from various specialty clinics and one general practice clinic across Canada. The subjects were followed for a total of 2 years with repeated documentation of their status using 10 PROs. A total of 210 of the recruited subjects were entered into the data base and analyzed. Of these, 123 had examination-verified painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) and 87 had examination-verified post-traumatic neuropathy (PTN). To evaluate the responsiveness of the PROs to change, several time points were included and this study focusses primarily on the first 6 months. Subjects also maintained a diary to document all medications, both for pain and other medical conditions, including all doses, start dates and stop dates, that could be correlated to changes in the PRO parameters.ResultsRELIEF was successful in being able to correlate the validity of the PROs and this data was used for further AstraZeneca Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials of NP. To our surprise, there was very little change in pain and low levels of patient satisfaction with treatment during the trial. Approximately 15% of the subjects reported improvement, 8% worsening of pain, the remainder reported pain unchanged despite the use of multiple medications at multiple doses, alone or in combination with frequent changes of medications and doses over the study. Those taking predominantly NSAIDs (COX-inhibitors) did no worse than those taking the standard recommended medications against NP.ConclusionsSince this is a real-life study, it reflects the clinical utility of a variety of internationally recommended medications for the treatment of NP. In positive clinical trials of these medications in selected "ideal" subjects, the effects are not overwhelming – 30% are 50% improved on average. This study shows that in the real world the results are not nearly as positive and reflects information from non-published negative clinical trials.ImplicationsWe still do not have very successful medications for NP. Patients probably differ in many respects from those subjects in clinical trials. This is not to negate the use of recommended medications for NP but an indication that success rates of treatment are likely to be worse than the data coming from those trials published by the pharmaceutical industry.
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| 2. |
- Crema, M. D., et al.
(författare)
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Comparison between semiquantitative and quantitative methods for the assessment of knee synovitis in osteoarthritis using non-enhanced and gadolinium-enhanced MRI
- 2017
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 1063-4584 .- 1522-9653. ; 25:2, s. 267-271
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To compare different semiquantitative and quantitative methods using both non-enhanced and gadolinium-enhanced MRI techniques for the assessment of synovitis in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Knees with end-stage clinical OA in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery were included in this cross-sectional study. MRI was performed on all knees. Standard non-enhanced and gadolinium-enhanced sequences were acquired. Using non-enhanced MRI, we semiquantitatively assessed two features widely used as surrogates for synovitis: effusion-synovitis and Hoffa-synovitis. Using gadolinium-enhanced sequences, we semiquantitatively assessed synovial thickness. We quantitatively evaluated the total synovial volume on the gadolinium-enhanced sequences as well. We assessed the correlations of effusion-synovitis and Hoffa-synovitis with synovial thickness and volume, applying Spearman correlation analysis. The diagnostic performance of both synovitis features on non-enhanced MRI was assessed using synovial thickness on gadolinium-enhanced MRI as the reference. Results: A total of 104 subjects (one knee per subject) were included. Correlations of effusion-synovitis with synovial thickness and volume were r = 0.41 and r = 0.43 (P < .001) r = 0.32 and r = 0.39 (P < .0001). Conclusion: Using synovial thickness assessed on gadolinium-enhanced sequences as the reference, effusion-synovitis showed superior correlations and sensitivity. Effusion-synovitis should be preferred over Hoffa-synovitis as a surrogate marker for synovial thickening, in studies of knee OA for which gadolinium-enhanced sequences are not available.
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| 3. |
- Engdahl, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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[In Process Citation].
- 2015
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Ingår i: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205 .- 1652-7518. ; 112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 4. |
- Hardig, Bjarne Madsen, et al.
(författare)
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Outcome among VF/VT patients in the LINC (LUCAS IN cardiac arrest) trial-A randomised, controlled trial.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Resuscitation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0300-9572 .- 1873-1570. ; 115, s. 155-162
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: The LINC trial evaluated two ALS-CPR algorithms for OHCA patients, consisting of 3min' mechanical chest compression (LUCAS) cycles with defibrillation attempt through compressions vs. 2min' manual compressions with compression pause for defibrillation. The PARAMEDIC trial, using 2min' algorithm found worse outcome for patients with initial VF/VT in the LUCAS group and they received more adrenalin compared to the manual group. We wanted to evaluate if these algorithms had any outcome effect for patients still in VF/VT after the initial defibrillation and how adrenalin timing impacted it.METHOD: Both groups received manual chest compressions first. Based on non-electronic CPR process documentation, outcome, neurologic status and its relation to CPR duration prior to the first detected return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), time to defibrillation and adrenalin given were analysed in the subgroup of VF/VT patients.RESULTS: Seven hundred and fifty-seven patients had still VF/VT after initial chest compressions combined with a defibrillation attempt (374 received mechanical CPR) or not (383 received manual CPR). No differences were found for ROSC (mechanical CPR 58.3% vs. manual CPR 58.6%, p=0.94), or 6-month survival with good neurologic outcome (mechanical CPR 25.1% vs. manual CPR 23.0%, p=0.50). A significant difference was found regarding the time from start of manual chest compression to the first defibrillation (mechanical CPR: 4 (2-5) min vs manual CPR 3 (2-4) min, P<0.001). The time from the start of manual chest compressions to ROSC was longer in the mechanical CPR group.CONCLUSIONS: No difference in short- or long-term outcomes was found between the 2 algorithms for patients still in VF/VT after the initial defibrillation. The time to the 1st defibrillation and the interval between defibrillations were longer in the mechanical CPR group without impacting the overall outcome. The number of defibrillations required to achieve ROSC or adrenalin doses did not differ between the groups.
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| 5. |
- Hysing, Eva-Britt, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of systemic inflammation in severely impaired chronic pain patients and effects of a multimodal pain rehabilitation program
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Pain. - : WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH. - 1877-8860 .- 1877-8879. ; 19:2, s. 235-244
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aims: Recent research indicates a previously unknown low-grade systemic or neurogenic inflammation in groups of chronic pain (CP) patients. Low-grade inflammation may have an important role in symptoms that have previously not been well depicted: widespread pain, tiredness and cognitive dysfunctions frequently seen in severely impaired CP patients. This study aimed to investigate the plasma inflammatory profile in a group of very complex CP patients at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up after participation in a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)-based multimodal pain rehabilitation program (PRP).Methods: Blood samples were collected from 52 well-characterized CP patients. Age- and sex-matched healthy blood donors served as controls. The samples were analyzed with a multiple Proximal Extension Analysis allowing a simultaneous analysis of 92 inflammation-related proteins consisting mainly of cytokines, chemokines and growth-factors. At follow-up, 1-year after participation in the RPR samples from 28 patients were analyzed. The results were confirmed by a multi-array technology that allows quantitative estimation.Results: Clear signs of increased inflammatory activity were detected in the CP patients. Accepting a false discovery rate (FDR) of 5%, there were significant differences in 43/92 inflammatory biomarkers compared with the controls. In three biomarkers (CXCL5, SIRT2, AXIN1) the expression levels were elevated more than eight times. One year after the PRP, with the patients serving as their own controls, a significant decrease in overall inflammatory activity was found.Conclusions: Our results indicate that the most impaired CP patients suffer from low-grade chronic systemic inflammation not described earlier with this level of detail. The results may have implications for a better understanding of the cluster of co-morbid symptoms described as the "sickness-syndrome" and the wide-spread pain seen in this group of patients. The decrease in inflammatory biomarkers noted at the follow-up after participation in the PRP may reflect the positive effects obtained on somatic and psycho-social mechanisms involved in the inflammatory process by a rehabilitation program. Besides the PRP, no major changes in medication or lifestyle factors were implemented during the same period. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting that a PRP may induce inflammatory-reducing effects. Further studies are needed to verify the objective findings in CP patients and address the question of causality that remains to be solved.
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| 6. |
- Hysing, Eva-Britt, et al.
(författare)
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Identifying characteristics of the most severely impaired chronic pain patients treated at a specialized inpatient pain clinic
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Pain. - : WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH. - 1877-8860 .- 1877-8879. ; 17:1, s. 178-185
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aims: Patients suffering from chronic nonmalignant pain constitute a heterogeneous population in terms of clinical presentation and treatment results. Few data are available about what distinguishes different groups in this huge population of patients with chronic persistent pain (CPP). A subgroup that is poorly studied, consists of the most severely impaired chronic pain patients. At the Uppsala University Hospital Pain Clinic, there is a specialized department accepting the most complex patients for rehabilitation. In the endeavour to improve and evaluate treatment for this subgroup, a better understanding of the complex nature of the illness is essential. This prospective study aimed to describe the characteristics of this subgroup of patients with CPP.Methods: Seventy-two consecutive patients enrolled in the Uppsala programme were evaluated. We collected data on demographics, type of pain and experienced symptoms other than pain using a checklist of 41 possible symptoms. Psychiatric comorbidity was assessed by a psychiatrist using a structured clinical interview. Quality of life (QoL), pain rating and medication/drug/alcohol usage were measured by validated questionnaires: SF-36, NRS, DUDIT and AUDIT. Concerning physical functioning and sick leave, a comparison was made with data from the Swedish Quality Register Registry for pain rehabilitation (SQRP).Results: The cohort consisted of 61% women and the average age was 45 (range 20-70) years. For this cohort, 74% reported being on sick leave or disability-pension. In the SQRP 59% were on sick leave at the time they entered the rehabilitation programmes [1]. On average, the study-population reported 22 symptoms other than pain, to be at a high rate of severity. Patients treated in conventional pain rehabilitation programmes reported a mean of 10 symptoms in average. Symptoms reported with the highest frequency (>80%), were lethargy, tiredness, headache and difficulties concentrating. Seventysix percent were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Sixty-nine fulfilled the criteria for depression or depression/anxiety disorder despite that most (65%) were treated with psychotropic medication. Alcohol/drug abuse was minimal. Seventy-one percent were on opioids but the doses were moderate (<100 mg) MEq. The pain rating was >= 7 (out of a maximum of 10) for 60% of the patients.Conclusion: This study describes what makes the subgroup of pain patients most affected by their pain special according to associated factors and comorbidity We found that they were distinguished by a high degree of psychiatric comorbidity, low physical functioning and extreme levels of symptom preoccupation/hypervigilance. Many severe symptoms additional to pain (e.g. depression/anxiety, tiredness, disturbed sleep, lack of concentration, constipation) were reported. The group seems hypervigilant, overwhelmed with a multitude of different symptoms on a high severity level.Implications: When treating this complex group, the expressions of the illness can act as obstacles to achieve successful treatment outcomes. The study provides evidence based information, for a better understanding of the needs concerning these pain patients. Our result indicates that parallel assessment and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities and sleep disorders combined with traditional rehabilitation, i.e. physical activation and cognitive reorganization are imperative for improved outcomes.
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| 7. |
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| 9. |
- Miclescu, Adriana, 1958-, et al.
(författare)
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Changing face of acute pain services
- 2016
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- AbstractAims To distinguish the risk factors associated with uncontrolled and problematic pain by prospectively assessing the current acute pain service (APS) activity in an academic hospital and the effects of this activity on both surgical and medical pain intensity.Method This prospective cohort study was conducted at Uppsala University Hospital (a Swedish tertiary and quaternary care hospital) during one year. All the patients referred to APS team were enrolled. A standardized data collection template of demographic data, medical history, pain diagnosis, associated diseases, duration of treatment, number of visits by the APS team and type of treatment was employed. The primary outcomes were pain scores before and after treatment. The patients were visited by APS at regular intervals and divided after the number of visits by APS team in several groups: group 1 (one visit and up to 2 follow ups); group 2 (3 to 4 follow-ups); group 3 (5 to 10 times follow-ups); group 4 (10 to 20 follow-ups); group 5 more than 20 follow–ups. The groups and the difference between groups were analyzed.Results Patients (n=730) (mean age 56±4, female 58%, men 42%) were distributed by service to medical (41%) and surgical (58%). Of these, 48% of patients reported a pain score of moderate to severe pain and 27% reported severe pain on the first assessment. On the last examination before discharge, they reported 25–30% less pain (P=0.002). The median NRS (numerical rating scores) decreased significantly from 9.6 (95% confidence interval, 3.4–5.3) to 6.3 (1.0–2.0) for the severe pain (p<0.0001), from 3.8 (3.1–3.8) to 2.4 (2.2–2.4) for the mild pain. Respiratory depression related to pain treatment was reported in 1.6% patients. The APS treated cognitive deficits related to pain treatment, in 30% of the patients, recognized and treated opioid overdose in 14%. The patients who required more than 5 visits by the APS (280 patients representing 38% of all the patients) demonstrated an increased prevalence of psychiatric diseases (from 10% in group 1 to 42% in group 5), opioid dependency (13% in group 1 to 100% in group 5) and chronic pain resulted from both nociceptive (gradually increasing from 38% in group 1 to 85% in group 5) and neuropathic pain (from 13 % in group 1 increasing to 35% in group 5). The diagnoses encountered in the patients with frequent visits by the APS team were cancer related pain (17%), endometriosis (9%), reoperation (12%), burn injury (5%).Conclusions Beside the benefits of APS in reducing of pain intensity, and in treating analgesia side effects, this study demonstrates the uncertain role of APS in the treatment of acute pain. The focus of APS has been shifted from the traditional treatment of acute surgical pain to the clinical challenges of treating hospitalized patients who suffered adverse effects from pain treatment and have a high of comorbidities as psychiatric diseases, opioid dependency and non-surgical chronic pain.Keywords: acute pain services, complications of pain treatment, opioid induced respiratory depression
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