Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-11-01Epub Date: 2024-05-14DOI: 10.1111/papr.13382
Sanjay S Aripaka, Sajjad Ahmad Chughtai, Louise M Jørgensen, Rachid Bech-Azeddine, Jens D Mikkelsen
{"title":"Expression of cytokines at baseline correlate/predict in the disc the outcome of surgery after disc degeneration: A 12-month follow-up study.","authors":"Sanjay S Aripaka, Sajjad Ahmad Chughtai, Louise M Jørgensen, Rachid Bech-Azeddine, Jens D Mikkelsen","doi":"10.1111/papr.13382","DOIUrl":"10.1111/papr.13382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent condition that comprise a large portion of outpatient practice, challenging the diagnosis and treatment. However, the diagnostic tools are limited to clinical history, physical examination and imaging. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a significant cause of LBP, and emerging literature confirms the elevated levels of biomarkers in the discs. These biomarkers may serve as a tool for diagnosis, but may also be useful in predicting the treatment outcome. Here, we examine the expression of various cytokines on 1-year recovery from patients with LBP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patient-reported outcome (PRO) in terms of pain intensity (VAS), disability (ODI), and quality of life (Eq-5D) is collected from 44 patients at baseline and 12 months after surgery to study the influence of baseline TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA expression in both annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between baseline and follow-up, our cohort showed improvement in VAS back pain (p < 0.001), VAS leg pain (p < 0.001), ODI (p = 0.02), and Eq-5D (p = 0.01). Baseline levels of IL-1 β was positively correlated with VAS back pain scores in AF (p = 0.05) and NP (p = 0.01) at 1-year follow-up. TNF-α expression at baseline was also positively correlated to ODI scores (p = 0.01) at follow-up and inversely correlated to improvements in ODI score between baseline and follow-up, suggesting that high TNF-α expression at baseline is associated with poor outcomes from surgery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results from our study support that TNF-α expression at baseline can serve as a very important predictor of treatment response from lumbar fusion surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":"983-988"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140922776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-11-01Epub Date: 2024-07-01DOI: 10.1111/papr.13397
Ying-Wei Yang, Chia-Shiang Lin, Hsuan-Chih Lao, Ying-Chun Lin
{"title":"Enhancing contrast distribution with the far lateral approach in lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections: A retrospective analysis.","authors":"Ying-Wei Yang, Chia-Shiang Lin, Hsuan-Chih Lao, Ying-Chun Lin","doi":"10.1111/papr.13397","DOIUrl":"10.1111/papr.13397","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) with radiculopathy is a common degenerative spine disorder. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is one of the pain relief treatments for lumbar radiculopathy recommended by evidence-based guidelines. Adequate contrast distribution is correlated with better pain control, but the best approach has not been confirmed yet.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To confirm the distribution of contrast medium injected with a new approach of TFESI, that is, far lateral lateral recess approach (FLLR-TFESI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients receiving TFESI due to HIVD with radiculopathy between 2010 January and 2020 August were retrospectively enrolled. While the FLLR-TFESI was taken as the experimental group, the conventional approach was viewed as the control group. The baseline characteristics, the pattern of contrast enhancement under fluoroscopic guidance, and the complications of these patients were collected and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 380 patients were analyzed (143 in control group and 237 in experimental group). The two groups were balanced in most baseline characteristics, except disc extrusion (p = 0.01) and scoliosis (p = 0.04). The FLLR-TFESI have a better contrast distribution (p < 0.01), even after adjustment (p < 0.001). No intrathecal injection was noted, but higher rate of intra-disc injection was noted in FLLR-TFESI group (10% vs. 3%, p = 0.008).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The FLLR-TFESI has a superior contrast enhancement and distribution in comparison to conventional approach. Prospective study to confirm the study result as well as the clinical benefits is suggested in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1024-1034"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141477204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-11-01Epub Date: 2024-06-05DOI: 10.1111/papr.13394
Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Christopher Gilligan
{"title":"Reduction in opioid consumption and improvement in function with spinal cord stimulation.","authors":"Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Christopher Gilligan","doi":"10.1111/papr.13394","DOIUrl":"10.1111/papr.13394","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1080-1081"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141261265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-11-01Epub Date: 2024-07-02DOI: 10.1111/papr.13399
Eugene R Viscusi, Oscar de Leon-Casasola, Jesús Cebrecos, Adam Jacobs, Adelaida Morte, Esther Ortiz, Mariano Sust, Anna Vaqué, Ira Gottlieb, Stephen Daniels, Derek Muse, Michael E Kuss, Sebastián Videla, Neus Gascón, Carlos Plata-Salamán
{"title":"Celecoxib-tramadol co-crystal in patients with moderate-to-severe pain following bunionectomy with osteotomy: Secondary analyses by baseline pain intensity and use of rescue medication of a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, factorial, active- and placebo-controlled trial.","authors":"Eugene R Viscusi, Oscar de Leon-Casasola, Jesús Cebrecos, Adam Jacobs, Adelaida Morte, Esther Ortiz, Mariano Sust, Anna Vaqué, Ira Gottlieb, Stephen Daniels, Derek Muse, Michael E Kuss, Sebastián Videla, Neus Gascón, Carlos Plata-Salamán","doi":"10.1111/papr.13399","DOIUrl":"10.1111/papr.13399","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the randomized, phase 3, SUSA-301 trial, celecoxib-tramadol co-crystal (CTC) provided significantly greater analgesia compared with celecoxib, tramadol, or placebo in adults with acute, moderate-to-severe, postoperative pain. This post hoc, secondary analysis further evaluated the use of rescue medication and the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients (N = 637) were randomized 2:2:2:1 to receive oral CTC 200 mg twice daily (BID; n = 184), tramadol 50 mg four times daily (QID; n = 183), celecoxib 100 mg BID (n = 181), or placebo QID (n = 89). Post hoc analyses were conducted on the use of rescue medications up to 4 and 48 h post-study drug dose, stratified by baseline pain intensity (moderate/severe), and on the incidence of TEAEs, stratified by rescue medication use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significantly lower proportion of patients received any rescue medication within 4 h post-study dose with CTC (49.5%) versus tramadol (61.7%, p = 0.0178), celecoxib (65.2%, p = 0.0024), and placebo (75.3%, p = 0.0001); this was also seen for oxycodone use. Fewer patients in the CTC group received ≥3 doses of rescue medication compared with the other groups, irrespective of baseline pain intensity. In patients who did not receive opioid rescue medication, CTC was associated with a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting TEAEs versus tramadol alone. In patients who received rescue oxycodone, the incidence of nausea was similar in the CTC and tramadol groups, and higher versus celecoxib and placebo.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Celecoxib-tramadol co-crystal was associated with reduced rescue medication use and an acceptable tolerability profile compared with tramadol or celecoxib alone in adults with acute, moderate-to-severe, postoperative pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1042-1050"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141492988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-11-01Epub Date: 2024-08-02DOI: 10.1111/papr.13401
Seung Hee Yoo, Min Jin Lee, Mi Jin Jue, Yoonsun Won, Won-Joong Kim
{"title":"Comparative analysis of contrast distribution in cervical epidural steroid injections utilizing a modified paramedian interlaminar approach with varied needle tip positions: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Seung Hee Yoo, Min Jin Lee, Mi Jin Jue, Yoonsun Won, Won-Joong Kim","doi":"10.1111/papr.13401","DOIUrl":"10.1111/papr.13401","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recent advancements in cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections have given rise to the modified paramedian interlaminar (mPIL) approach. The objective of this study was to perform an analysis of the contrast spread pattern within the cervical epidural space, taking into account different needle tip positions in the mPIL approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 48 patients were included in the study and randomly assigned to either the medial or lateral group based on the needle tip's position in the anterior-posterior view. The primary outcome measured was the contrast flow under fluoroscopic visualization. As a secondary outcome, we analyzed the location of the needle tip position in both lateral and contralateral oblique views. Clinical effectiveness was assessed by measuring pain intensity and functional disability post-procedure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant disparities were noted in the ventral distribution of contrast between the medial and lateral groups. In the lateral images, needle tips in the lateral group were positioned more ventrally compared to those in the medial group. Both groups exhibited statistically significant improvements in neck and radicular pain, as well as functional status, 4 weeks after treatment, with no significant differences between them.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results suggest that the ventral dispersion of contrast material during cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections using the mPIL approach may vary depending on the needle tip location.</p>","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1059-1067"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141875601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-11-01Epub Date: 2024-07-31DOI: 10.1111/papr.13402
Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Lukas J Henjum, Barnabas T Shiferaw, Andrew Y Matta, James N Nitz, Zoie L Weber, Jalon M Jones, Kenneth J Fiala
{"title":"Outcomes of cooled radiofrequency ablation of cervical nerves for the treatment of chronic pain.","authors":"Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Lukas J Henjum, Barnabas T Shiferaw, Andrew Y Matta, James N Nitz, Zoie L Weber, Jalon M Jones, Kenneth J Fiala","doi":"10.1111/papr.13402","DOIUrl":"10.1111/papr.13402","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic pain, defined as pain persisting for more than 3-6 months, has a mean one-year prevalence in the United States of 25.8% and is one of the most frequent reasons adults seek medical care. Treatment options include physical therapy, analgesics, anticonvulsants, exercise, and muscle relaxants. Even with conventional treatment modalities, in a subset of patients, pain may persist. Cooled radiofrequency ablation (c-RFA), a minimally invasive therapy, employs thermal energy generated by electrical currents to disrupt the transmission of pain stimuli along nociceptive pathways. This leads to an attenuation of pain impulses, primarily through nerve tissue necrosis. The potential of c-RFA to alleviate chronic pain for patients who struggle to find relief elsewhere accentuates the importance of rigorously investigating its outcomes. This study investigates whether patients receiving c-RFA for relief of chronic neck pain caused by cervical facet joint arthropathy experience a reduction in pain scores, the length of this reduction in pain scores, and the magnitude of this reduction in pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was a retrospective analysis of data extracted from UW-Health Electronic Medical Health records (EMR), encompassing cervical c-RFA procedures performed from 2015 through 2022. Patient data were obtained, including diagnosis, pre-operative pain score, post-operative pain score, duration of relief, patient age, sex, and BMI. A two-tailed paired t-test was used to statistically analyze the pre-operative and post-operative pain scores, in which a p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 450 cervical c-RFA procedures were reviewed, 152 were excluded due to absent pre- or post-op pain scores. 298 were included in the analysis, comprising 203 unique patients: 129 females and 74 males with an average age of 56.03 ± 12.76 and a BMI of 28.76 ± 6.05. Improvement of pain symptoms was reported in 85.23% (n = 263), 6% (n = 19) reported complete pain remission, 8.72% (n = 26) reported no change, and 3.02% (n = 9) reported worsening symptoms. Patients reported an average pre-operative pain score of 6.15 (M = 6.15, SD = 1.55) and an average post-operative pain score of 3.64 (M = 3.64, SD = 2.09) this achieved significance (p < 0.0001). Of the 85.23% (n = 263) charts that noted improvement, there is an average of 48.04% ± 26.53 reduction from their pre-operative pain scores. The average duration of relief lasted 6.67 ± 4.84 months.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study supports the potential efficacy of c-RFA as a minimally invasive treatment for chronic neck pain secondary to cervical facet joint arthropathy refractory to conventional treatment measures, demonstrating significant relief for a substantial length of time. Due to chronic pain's detrimental effect on one's quality of life, finding effective treatment options is essential, especially for those r","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1068-1073"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141856180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-10-14DOI: 10.1111/papr.13417
Camilla F Mendes, Luciene S Oliveira, Priscila A Garcez, Isabela F Azevedo-Santos, Josimari M DeSantana
{"title":"Effect of different electric stimulation modalities on pain and functionality of patients with pelvic pain: Systematic review with META-analysis.","authors":"Camilla F Mendes, Luciene S Oliveira, Priscila A Garcez, Isabela F Azevedo-Santos, Josimari M DeSantana","doi":"10.1111/papr.13417","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13417","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pelvic pain is located in the anterior abdominal wall, below the umbilical scar. Its treatment includes pharmacological therapy, which can cause adverse effects and is not always sufficient to control symptoms. Thus, the use of adjunct therapies such as electric stimulation has been suggested. Therefore, this review intends to appraise the literature on the effectiveness of electrostimulation in the treatment of pelvic pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The search for studies was conducted until April 2024 in PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, SciELO, PEDro, CINAHL, BVS, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using a combination of Mesh terms \"Electric Stimulation\" and \"Pelvic Pain.\" Risk of bias assessment and meta-analysis were performed with The Cochrane Collaboration tool (RevMan 5.4). Quality of the evidence was assessed with GRADE tool.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the 3247 studies found, 19 were included. In the qualitative analysis, seven studies showed TENS, electroacupuncture, PTNS, and tDCS reduced pain intensity, one study on PTNS showed increased quality of life, and one on tDCS showed improved functional performance. However, in the meta-analysis, only TENS showed efficacy for the reduction of acute pelvic pain and primary dysmenorrhea.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results indicate that there is moderate-quality evidence for TENS to reduce pain intensity in primary dysmenorrhea and low-quality evidence for the same outcome in acute pelvic pain. Randomized controlled clinical trials with larger sample size and with better methodological quality are needed to establish the effectiveness of other forms of electrical stimulation in pelvic pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142472320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-10-14DOI: 10.1111/papr.13425
Min Cheol Chang, Mathieu Boudier-Revéret, Seoyon Yang
{"title":"Comments on \"Enhancing contrast distribution with the far lateral approach in lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections: A retrospective analysis\".","authors":"Min Cheol Chang, Mathieu Boudier-Revéret, Seoyon Yang","doi":"10.1111/papr.13425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13425","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142472306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-10-11DOI: 10.1111/papr.13424
Do Yun Kwon, Kwang-Ryeol Kim, Dong Hyuck Kim, Sang Gyu Kwak
{"title":"Comparing the effectiveness of pregabalin and gabapentin in patients with lumbar radiculopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Do Yun Kwon, Kwang-Ryeol Kim, Dong Hyuck Kim, Sang Gyu Kwak","doi":"10.1111/papr.13424","DOIUrl":"10.1111/papr.13424","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gabapentinoids are commonly prescribed to control neuropathic pain of lumbar radiculopathy. Few trials have compared the efficacy of gabapentin (GBP) and pregabalin (PGB). Therefore, the authors conducted a meta-analysis to compare the difference in effect between GBP and PGB in lumbar radiculopathy patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Articles which were published between January 1, 1960 and May 31, 2023 were investigated via Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE. This meta-analysis was conducted on patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Gabapentin was used as an intervention, and pregabalin as a comparison. As outcomes, pain rating scales including visual analog scale (VAS) and numeric pain rating scale (NRS), and number of adverse events (dizziness and sedation) were obtained.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PGB showed statistically significant improvement in pain scale (VAS and NRS) in short-term follow-up (6 weeks or less) compared to GBP. (Total mean difference of -0.31) However, in the long-term follow-up (6 weeks to 12 weeks), there was no difference in pain reduction effect between two groups. The incidence of AEs showed no difference between two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on this article, the existing evidence suggests that PGB was more effective in reducing pain of lumbar radiculopathy compared to GBP at the short-term follow-up, but there was no difference in the long-term follow-up. Physicians should consider this finding in prescribing medications for patients with lumbar radiculopathy.</p>","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11683178/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142472319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain PracticePub Date : 2024-10-04DOI: 10.1111/papr.13416
Christopher P Cheng, Vikram Vasan, Alopi M Patel, Paul R Shekane
{"title":"Sentiment analysis of letters of recommendation for a U.S. pain medicine fellowship from 2020 to 2023.","authors":"Christopher P Cheng, Vikram Vasan, Alopi M Patel, Paul R Shekane","doi":"10.1111/papr.13416","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13416","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Letters of recommendation (LORs) are an important part of pain medicine fellowship applications that may be subject to implicit bias by the letter's author. This study evaluated letters of recommendation for applications to pain medicine fellowships in the United States to characterize biases and differences among applicants over four application cycles.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a retrospective single-site cohort study. De-identified LORs were collected from 2020 to 2023 from one institution. The Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner (VADER) natural language processing package scored positive LOR sentiment. In addition, the deep learning tool, Empath, scored LORs for 15 sentiments. Wilcoxon rank-sum and one-way ANOVA tests compared scores between applicant demographics: gender, race, medical school type, residency specialty, and chief resident status, as well as letter writers' academic position.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine hundred and sixty-four applications were studied over four application cycles. Program directors wrote fewer words (p = 0.020) and less positively (p < 0.001) compared to department chairs and letter writers with neither position. Department chairs wrote with less \"negative emotion\" compared to both program directors and writers with neither position (p < 0.001). Anesthesiologist applicants received more letters highlighting \"achievement\" (p < 0.001) while PM&R applicants submitted letters with less \"negative emotion\" (p < 0.001) compared to other specialties. Chief residents' letters scored higher in \"leader\" sentiment (p < 0.001) and lower in \"negative emotion\" (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Linguistic content did not favor certain genders or races over others. However, disparities in LORs do exist depending on an applicant's specialty and chief resident status, as well as the academic status of the letter writer.</p>","PeriodicalId":19974,"journal":{"name":"Pain Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142372519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}