Korean Journal of Pain最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating efficacy of pregabalin in diabetic peripheral neuropathy pain management.","authors":"Tony Joseph, Kush Modi, Mark Genkin, Alexander Genkin, Ruhi Shah, Lawrence Markel","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25069","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to define the efficacy of pregabalin in treating neuropathic pain in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), both as a monotherapy and in combination with other drugs that are commonly used to treat DPN in a clinical setting. Thus, physicians are able to make more informed decisions when choosing drugs to relieve DPN. Studies found on PubMed and Embase were evaluated for the role of pregabalin in DPN pain management, as well as its efficacy in comparison to other treatments. Search terms included \"pregabalin,\" \"diabetic,\" \"peripheral,\" \"neuropathy,\" and \"pain.\" Experimental groups varied from amitriptyline, duloxetine, carbamazepine, venlafaxine, and Xiaoketongbi Formula (XF). Pregabalin was shown to have no difference when compared to amitriptyline; however, longer treatment regimens should be performed. Duloxetine is more effective at lower dosages, but pregabalin is more effective at higher dosages. Additionally, pregabalin was found to be more effective than carbamazepine and venlafaxine. Surprisingly, XF was found to be as effective as pregabalin, demonstrating a potential role of herbal treatments. Combination therapies did not have a significant advantage over pregabalin monotherapy in treating DPN. In terms of adverse effects, pregabalin was more tolerated among patients, though side effects were generally mild. Pregabalin remains an effective option for DPN pain management and is considered noninferior to current monotherapies and combination therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"156-170"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058928/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145991847","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}

{"title":"Toward a global paradigm shift: integrating neuroplasticity, cultural sensitivity, and scalable interventions in chronic pain.","authors":"Jose Eric Mella Lacsa","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25244","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25244","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":"39 2","pages":"287-288"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058933/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147596421","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}

{"title":"Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.8 contributes to hyperalgesia induced by the coexistence of anxiety and remifentanil exposure.","authors":"Jinxia Cai, Linyao Chen, Yanan Wang, Jianwen Ye, Zixuan Xu, Linglin Gao, Zijun Zhou, Jiehao Sun","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25273","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia (RIH) is directly mediated by altered mitochondrial dynamics. Moreover, anxiety is proven to worsen hyperalgesia. Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.8 (NaV1.8) is involved in both nociceptive initiation and anxiety. However, its role in modulating RIH, particularly in the coexistence of anxiety and RIH (CARIH), remains unexplored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 148 Sprague-Dawley male rats were used to explore whether silencing NaV1.8 activation could alleviate CARIH. The behavioral effects were assessed using the open field, novelty suppressed feeding, and paw withdrawal tests. The mechanisms of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) targeting NaV1.8 (AS-NaV1.8) were investigated through western blot, RT-qPCR, electron microscopy, mitochondrial superoxide imaging, glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and malondialdehyde measurement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>NaV1.8 was upregulated at the mRNA level in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) (<i>P</i> < 0.001) after CARIH. Meanwhile, spinal NR₂B and Drp1 began to increase at 4 hours (<i>P</i> = 0.021) and 24 hours (<i>P</i> < 0.001), respectively. AS-NaV1.8 decreased spinal NR₂B and Drp1 levels (<i>P</i> < 0.01), while increasing Mfn2 and OPA1 expression (<i>P</i> < 0.01). The MitoSox-positive cells in Group AS (AS-NaV1.8 injected into rats with CARIH) were fewer than those in Group AR (CARIH group) (<i>P</i> = 0.013) and Group MM (mismatch-ODN of NaV1.8 injected into rats with CARIH) (<i>P</i> = 0.018). Abnormal fission of spinal mitochondria was reduced in Group AS compared to Group AR (<i>P</i> = 0.023) and Group MM (<i>P</i> = 0.018).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Anxiety exacerbates RIH, while NaV1.8 knockdown in DRG effectively attenuates CARIH by suppressing abnormal mitochondrial dynamics. Oral NaV1.8 inhibitors show promise in preclinical trials, suggesting NaV1.8 targeting as a novel approach to mitigate CARIH.</p>","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"207-220"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058944/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147391511","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}

{"title":"Corrigendum: Paradoxes weaken the International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain.","authors":"Milton L Cohen, Asaf Weisman, John L Quintner","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25268c","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25268c","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":"39 2","pages":"291-292"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058934/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147596353","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}

{"title":"Effectiveness of ropivacaine-loaded ReproGel drug delivery system in a rat model of postoperative pain.","authors":"Hyo Jin Kim, Geun Joo Choi, Kyoung-Woon Joung, Hyun Kang","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25373","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.25373","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Effective postoperative pain management is challenging because of adverse effects associated with traditional analgesic methods. Multimodal analgesia, targeting multiple pain pathways, offers improved pain relief while reducing side effects. The authors evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the ReproGel drug delivery system (DDS) combined with ropivacaine in a rat model of postoperative pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham treatment, ReproGel DDS, ropivacaine 0.375%, and ReproGel DDS + ropivacaine 0.375%. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) tests and rotarod assessments were conducted at baseline; at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes; at 24 and 48 hours; and at 1 week postoperatively. Blood samples were collected at 24, 48 hours, and 1 week to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 before euthanasia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The ReproGel DDS + ropivacaine group demonstrated significantly higher MWT values, demonstrating enhanced analgesia from 30 to 240 minutes postoperatively. Combination treatment with ReproGel demonstrated superior effectiveness at 240 minutes, outperforming ropivacaine alone, indicating a sustained analgesic effect. IL-1β and IL-6 levels were significantly reduced in groups receiving ropivacaine, particularly in the ReproGel DDS + ropivacaine group, at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. No motor impairment was observed, confirming the safety of ReproGel DDS + ropivacaine in preserving motor function.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The combination of ReproGel DDS and ropivacaine 0.375% in a postoperative rat model offers prolonged analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects without motor impairment, positioning it as a safe and effective option for postoperative pain management.</p>","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147445666","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}

{"title":"Comparison of the postoperative opioid-sparing effect between preemptive and preventive intravenous acetaminophen/ibuprofen fixed-dose combination in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Soo-Hyuk Yoon, Sooah Cho, Ho-Jin Lee, Susie Yoon, Jaehyon Bahk","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25308","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Inadequate pain control after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) can impair recovery and quality of life. The acetaminophen/ibuprofen combination is a useful component of opioid-sparing analgesia, but the optimal timing of administration remains unclear. This study aimed to compare preemptive and preventive administration of this combination in RALP patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult patients undergoing RALP under general anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive acetaminophen 1,000 mg and ibuprofen 300 mg in 100 mL solution either before incision (preemptive group) or at the end of surgery (preventive group). The primary outcome was cumulative fentanyl consumption via intravenous patient-controlled analgesia within 24 postoperative hours. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the 11-point numeric rating scale, and the Korean version of the Quality of Recovery-15 questionnaire (QoR-15K), liver function tests, and renal function tests were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 154 patients enrolled, 152 were included in the final analysis. Cumulative fentanyl consumption within 24 hours did not differ significantly between the preemptive and preventive groups (260 μg vs. 320 μg; median difference -60 μg (95% confidence interval [CI] -140 to 60), <i>P</i> = 0.409). Pain scores were generally comparable, but at 48 hours postoperatively the preemptive group showed lower scores (median difference -1.0 [95% CI -1.0 to 0.0], <i>P</i> = 0.040). Opioid use at other time points, QoR-15K scores, and laboratory tests showed no significant differences between the groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Postoperative opioid consumption was not significantly different between preemptive and preventive administration of acetaminophen/ibuprofen in patients undergoing RALP.</p>","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":"39 1","pages":"125-135"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12765643/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145866450","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}

{"title":"Paradoxes weaken the International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain.","authors":"Milton L Cohen, Asaf Weisman, John L Quintner","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25268","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25268","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A compound paradox has been identified in the revised (2020) International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) definition of pain, such that it simultaneously prescribes a connection between pain and tissue damage and allows that prescription to be violated. In a narrative form, the objective of this paper is to reveal these paradoxes and to offer a pathway to their resolution, thus clarifying the definition of pain for the purposes of scientific study and clinical application. The first paradox is that contradictory true positions can be held, when the experiencer claims to be \"in pain\" and the observer cannot find the required association with tissue damage or, preferably as is argued, nociception. The second paradox is revealed by the construct of \"nociplastic\" pain, which contradicts the IASP definition to the extent that nociceptors have not been activated, yet at the same time is consistent with that definition to the extent that it \"resembles\" an experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. In the interests of all concerned parties, the IASP definition of pain can be strengthened by removing the current ambiguity of interpretation, grounding the experience in a reconceptualisation of nociception as activation of a nociceptive apparatus, and clearly distinguishing it from suffering.</p>","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"51-58"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12765633/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145508119","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}

{"title":"Short-term peripheral nerve stimulation or pulsed radiofrequency in elderly patients with acute herpes zoster ophthalmicus: multi-center retrospective study.","authors":"Yi Yan, Zhiwei Wu, Quan Wan, Xuexue Zhang, Daying Zhang, Fan Yang, Xintian Cao, Changxi Li, Yong Zhang","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25297","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25297","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Elderly patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) have a high risk to progress to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Thus, early implementation of optimal treatment could lower the prevalence of PHN.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We collected 50 elderly acute HZO patients treated with short-term peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) or supraorbital nerve pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) from three hospitals from October 2022 to October 2023. All patients completed 12-month follow-up. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) score and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess the pain intensity and sleep quality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pain intensity and sleep quality of all patients was significantly relieved after surgery. Following surgery, the PNS group's VAS and PSQI scores were statistically lower than those of the PRF group, and they also took less medication. At 3 months after surgery, the incidence of clinically significant PHN in the PNS group was lower than the PNS group. At 12 months after surgery, the BNI scores of the PNS group were better than the PRF group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Early application of short-term PNS or PRF for acute-phase HZO in the elderly can relieve pain. Compared to PRF, PNS may offer superior pain management, enhance quality of life, and contribute to a downward trend in the incidence of PHN.</p>","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"116-124"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12765636/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145716919","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}

{"title":"Brachioradialis muscle pain: a common source of underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed forearm pain.","authors":"Kyung-Hoon Kim","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25139","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The brachioradialis (BR) muscle is a long, large, fusiform muscle on the lateral side of the forearm. It originates from the lateral distal humerus and inserts to the base of the styloid process of the radius. The function of the BR muscle is to flex the elbow, especially with the hand in a neutral position, to pronate and supinate the forearm, and to support wrist extension, especially gripping or picking up something. BR muscle pain arises from repetitive overuse, sudden overloading, and direct blow. Common painful daily activities include putting a cup back down after drinking, opening doors, shaking hands, and using a screwdriver or hammer. The two most common symptoms of BR muscle pain are a sharp and shooting pain during activity and an aching pain at rest from the lateral elbow through the forearm, back of the hand, and thumb and index finger, as well as tightness. Differential diagnosis considers lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), radial tunnel syndrome, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger thumb, writer's cramp, and cervical radiculopathy. BR muscle pain is common in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Basic conservative treatment includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), as well as medication. Stretching exercise for the BR muscle is helpful. Injection techniques, such as myofascial injection or botulinum muscle injection, are also recommended. BR muscle pain is one of the common sources of underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed forearm pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"36-50"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12765637/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145806393","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}

{"title":"A paradigm shift in analgesic discovery: from rodent to human models.","authors":"Rafael Taeho Han","doi":"10.3344/kjp.25430","DOIUrl":"10.3344/kjp.25430","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56252,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Pain","volume":"39 1","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12765642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145866415","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}