{"title":"Caring is Healing: Finding Life Amid Pain and Suffering.","authors":"Dalmacito A Cordero","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2346389","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2346389","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142468185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Music for Healing: A Careful Application of Music Therapy for the Sick.","authors":"Dalmacito A Cordero","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2389866","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2389866","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142468190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Increasing Access to Naloxone in Veterans Receiving Opioids Through Community Care.","authors":"Kaylee Nichols, Brittany Faley, Lauren Gonser","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2404590","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2404590","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The United States is battling an opioid overdose epidemic, and Veterans are at almost double the risk compared to the general population. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) recognizes the critical role naloxone plays as a risk mitigation strategy in opioid prescribing; however, there was not a standardized process within the Kansas City VA Medical Center's (KCVAMC) community care program. This quality improvement project included Veterans that received opioids through community care from 2022 to 2023. The Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Mitigation and chart review were used along with descriptive statistics. Results found 11% (22 of 206) of Veterans were dispensed naloxone within one year prior to receiving their opioid prescription. This data indicated the importance of expanding access to naloxone in Veterans receiving opioids from community care providers. As a result of this data, the KCVAMC implemented an outpatient pharmacy protocol to dispense naloxone to appropriate Veterans that receive an opioid through the community care program. The protocol was initiated on March 29, 2023. From the end of March through 2023, naloxone dispensing for these Veterans increased from 11% to 67%.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142468189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Topical Formulation of Tramadol 5% in the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Prospective, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.","authors":"Shahram Ala, Parisa Pakzadeh, Mahila Monajati, Reza Enayatifard, Afshin Shiva, Adeleh Sahebnasagh","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2384968","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2384968","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical tramadol in the management of knee osteoarthritis pain. Sixty patients with moderate to severe pain of knee osteoarthritis were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive tramadol 5% or placebo along with oral diclofenac 100 mg/day. They were instructed to apply the ointment every 12 h on the knee for three weeks. To control breakthrough pain, the patients were allowed to take acetaminophen up to 650 mg per day. The measured variables were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Sixty patients completed the study. At the end of follow-up period, VAS decreased by 21% (from 7.2 ± 2.1 to 5.7 ± 2.4, <i>p</i>-value < 0.05) and WOMAC score decreased by 23% (from 49.6 ± 17.4 to 38.4 ± 18.1, <i>p</i>-value < 0.05) in intervention group. Topical tramadol was significantly effective in reducing the intensity of pain and osteoarthritis symptoms in comparison to placebo considering VAS (5.7 ± 2.4 vs. 8.0 ± 2.9, <i>p</i>-value = 0.001) and WOMAC score (38.4 ± 18.1 vs. 46.0 ± 18.6, <i>p</i>-value = 0.007). Topical tramadol 5% appears to be effective in moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142468191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An in-Depth Exploration of Consumer and Consumer Representative Views on Chronic Pain Management in Australia: A Key Informant Interview Study.","authors":"Ingrid Bindicsova, Leanne M Hides, Melissa A Day","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2407461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2407461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic pain affects millions of Australians. Despite guidelines recommending non-pharmacological approaches as the first line treatment, opioid medications remain among the most common treatments. This study interviewed consumers and consumer representatives (i.e., representatives of peak pain advocacy organizations in Australia) to gain first-hand perspectives on chronic pain treatment in Australia. Individual semi-structured Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with three consumers and three representatives were undertaken. Interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis applied. Results showed that consumers and consumer representatives identified critical treatment access barriers. Another shared theme related to overarching principles of care, with sub-themes pertaining to the need for an interdisciplinary approach and pain education. A further shared theme focused on typical medical interventions, with one shared subtheme regarding the benefits and drawbacks of pain medications. Both groups highlighted the importance of a biopsychosocial approach with consideration of mental health, particularly related to perceived stigma and comorbidities. These findings highlight that chronic pain remains both undertreated and inadequately treated in Australia. There is a critical need to use novel approaches to overcome access barriers and stigma, and to advance precision medicine to match patients to the treatment most likely to be of benefit as early as possible in their journey.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142365569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2406708","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2406708","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Miranda Hetrick, Emily Casey, Jacob Radcliff, Tanya Uritsky
{"title":"Characterization of Oral Ketamine Use: A Retrospective Review.","authors":"Miranda Hetrick, Emily Casey, Jacob Radcliff, Tanya Uritsky","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2401979","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2401979","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ketamine is an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist used to treat pain at subanesthetic doses. Ketamine is beneficial for pain control in patients who have a high tolerance to opioids and are experiencing opioid-induced hyperalgesia. This study characterizes oral ketamine use for analgesia at a large academic hospital and reports safety outcomes for hospitalized patients. This study was a retrospective electronic health record (EHR) review of patients ≥ 18 years or older receiving oral ketamine. The primary endpoint was median ketamine starting dose and maximum dose (mg/kg/day) during treatment duration. Secondary outcomes included oral Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MMEs), buprenorphine dose, minimum and maximum pain scores on the first and last day of therapy. Safety endpoints were reported. The median starting dose was 1 mg/kg/day, and the median maximum dose was 1.6 mg/kg/day. Median MMEs decreased from the first day to the last day of oral ketamine therapy. The study population experienced a low incidence of safety events overall. Oral ketamine was administered safely for analgesia, with patients receiving ketamine doses that were on the lower end of the established therapeutic range. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of oral ketamine use for analgesia should be further studied.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Shared Decision-Making and Collaborative Care Models for Pain Management: A Scoping Review of Existing Evidence.","authors":"Elise Omaki, Megan Fitzgerald, Diksha Iyer, Wendy Shields, Renan Castillo","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2400925","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2400925","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article aims to summarize the existing evidence on shared decision-making and collaborative care models for acute and chronic pain management. We searched the PubMed database for articles published between 1980 and 2023 and scanned included articles' references to identify additional sources. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Studies met inclusion criteria if they implemented or evaluated shared decision-making or collaborative care interventions in patients with acute or chronic pain. A total of 690 articles were reviewed, with 32 full text articles meeting inclusion criteria. Most studies assessed changes in prescription opioid quantities and patient-reported pain levels. Secondary measures generally included patient satisfaction, 30-day refill rate, and use of non-opioid analgesics. Shared decision-making and collaborative care models are promising interventions to improve pain management. These interventions are effective at reducing opioid consumption among acute and chronic pain patients without compromising patient-reported pain levels. There is further research needed to evaluate how shared decision-making and collaborative care interventions impact patient-centered outcomes such as patient satisfaction, quality of life, and patient-provider communication.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Navigating the Postoperative Management of Remifentanil-Induced Hyperalgesia: A Case Report.","authors":"Nathan T Smith, Ryan Fernholz, Sanny Juresic","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2400901","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2400901","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Opioid induced hyperalgesia in the postoperative setting presents a significant challenge for clinicians managing postoperative pain in opioid tolerant patients. Remifentanil is a fentanyl analog frequently utilized in anesthesia for its favorable pharmacokinetic profile. However, as described in the case report, it may also increase the risk of postoperative hyperalgesia. Management of postoperative pain in the setting of hyperalgesia should be approached in a stepwise fashion, emphasizing therapy options with analgesic effects achieved outside of the opioidergic system while maintaining a neutral opioid balance.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Successful Management of Severe Low Back Pain with Ayurveda in Lumbar Spondylosis: A Case Report.","authors":"Satyajit Pandurang Kulkarni, Shweta Parwe","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2024.2393844","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2393844","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lumbar spondylosis is a common condition that is quite prevalent, affecting 57% of Indian men. Ayurveda, an indigenous medical system, is highly efficient in treating this ailment when it is in a mild to moderate state. This case report aims to provide a detailed account of a successfully managed case of lumbar spondylosis characterized by severe lumbar pain. A 59-year-old man, who has been suffering from lumbar spondylosis for the last 8 years, was presented with complaints of severe to moderate low back pain, disability, and pain in both legs. According to Ayurvedic principles, the condition was diagnosed as \"Katigraha,\" and a nine-day treatment plan, including three Niruha Basti consecutively, followed by one Anuvasan Basti with the use of Ayurvedic medications was suggested. The lumbar pain severity fell from 8 to 2 points, while the leg pain decreased from 7 to 1 point. The Oswestry Low Back Disability Index (ODI) showed a significant reduction, from 49 to 18. The flexion and extension range of motion grew from 1 to 3 cm, and from 1 to 2 cm, respectively. The case study indicates a reduction in severe low back pain, but further investigation is required to determine the underlying mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142108452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}