Peter D Vu, Noushad Mamun, Lei Feng, Kathryn J Krause, Billy Huh, Ryan S D'Souza, Saba Javed
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background/importance: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established therapy for chronic pain conditions when conventional treatments fail. However, global research implementation varies significantly due to patient demographics, healthcare infrastructure, and economic factors, creating disparities in access that directly impact patient care and public health outcomes.
Objective: To evaluate the global landscape of SCS research by analyzing patient demographics, geographic distribution, funding sources, and pain conditions treated across chronic pain populations aged 18 years and older, with primary focus on associations between geographic regions and patient age demographics.
Evidence review: We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, searching five major databases through October 2024. Studies from 2000 onward reporting SCS in adults with chronic pain lasting 3 months or longer were included. We included randomized trials, comparative studies, and case series with at least 10 patients, excluding commentaries, reviews, and insurance databases.
Findings: Analysis of 187 studies revealed heterogeneity in age distributions across geographic regions, with Asian studies showing higher mean ages compared to North America, while European showed lower mean ages. Research concentration was predominantly in high-income regions, with 57% of studies receiving industry funding and significant associations between funding source and geographic origin. Post-surgical pain syndrome-thoracolumbar emerged as the most prevalent condition globally, representing 44.9% of cases.
Conclusions: Significant associations exist between geographic regions and patient demographics in SCS research, with notable disparities in research concentration highlighting the need for broader investigation in underrepresented areas to optimize global application of this chronic pain management therapy.
期刊介绍：
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, the official publication of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA), is a monthly journal that publishes peer-reviewed scientific and clinical studies to advance the understanding and clinical application of regional techniques for surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. Coverage includes intraoperative regional techniques, perioperative pain, chronic pain, obstetric anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, outcome studies, and complications.
Published for over thirty years, this respected journal also serves as the official publication of the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA), the Asian and Oceanic Society of Regional Anesthesia (AOSRA), the Latin American Society of Regional Anesthesia (LASRA), the African Society for Regional Anesthesia (AFSRA), and the Academy of Regional Anaesthesia of India (AORA).
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