Studies on the epidemiology of pain are a
relatively new phenomenon and appear in publications ranging over a wide
variety of specialty areas. This volume represents a systematic,
interdisciplinary approach to the issue. Its contributors have examined
the literature critically and thoroughly, applying the highest criteria
for distinguishing major, high-quality studies from other studies.
"This authoritative text examines the epidemiology of pain in several
important conditions. It begins with an introduction to the potential of
epidemiology, epidemiological methods and the requirements for such
studies.
"... The book then goes on to consider pain in a number of different
conditions. The choice is interesting, although somewhat eclectic,
including fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain, chronic
post-surgical pain, phantom limb pain, central post-stroke pain,
migraine and headache, facial pain, temporomandibular disorder pain,
neck pain, shoulder pain, low back pain and knee pain ... These chapters
would be of enormous value to anyone with a particular interest in those
topics. The authors have made an enormous effort to prepare systematic
reviews and are to be commended for the amount of work and consideration
given to these individual chapters.
"... In summary, the book is a useful introduction to epidemiological
approaches in the management of pain and provides excellent resource
material for the individual topics considered. It does not include all
pain - no textbook ever could - but it is a worthy addition to the
bookshelves of individuals studying pain and epidemiology."
International Journal of Epidemiology
"There is no doubt that the authors have achieved a very full
collation of present knowledge on pain and predisposing risk factors,
which must be essential reading for any physician involved in the
treatment of chronic painful conditions.
"Epidemiological methods are described clearly, together with the
shortcomings and difficulties that can be encountered. The importance of
both preventive and clinical studies is stressed, being the very core of
clinical epidemiology.
"The chapter on psychological factors gives an excellent review of
the various psychosocial factors that impact on the development of
chronic pain, both causative and resultant ... Other conditions reviewed
include [chronic post-surgical pain], central post-stroke pain, migraine
and headache, facial pain, temporomandibular disorder pain, neck pain,
shoulder pain, low back pain and knee pain ...
"This book is an excellent text that reviews the problem of pain in
society and for the individual, highlighting known pre-disposing risk
factors, and the paucity of knowledge as to the real impact or lack of
impact of medical and surgical treatment. All physicians, indeed health
care workers, who deal with chronic painful conditions should read at
least the general chapters, if not the entire book. It is well presented
and thought provoking."
British Journal of Anaesthesia
"This monograph is another 'must read' (for individuals) and 'must
have' (departments) from the IASP's continuing production of first-class
monographs on varied aspects of the progressive understanding of
pain.
"The book addresses the areas of how many people suffer from pain,
what proportion receive adequate therapy and what should be done to
further prevent and relieve pain.
"Aspects of pain epidemiology, previously spread widely in many
journals, have been assembled in this single volume in 19 chapters
[dealing with general aspects of epidemiology, ideas about pain
epidemiology, and] specific types of pain such as chronic pain in
children, phantom limb pain and low back pain; a whole chapter is
devoted to each specific type.
"There is a gold mine of 2,000 references. Two percent of these are
dated 1999-98; 20% are dated 1997-95. These recent publication dates of
more than one-fifth of the references indicate the increased research
activity into pain during the last few years.
"This book is relevant not only to those involved directly with pain,
but also hospital administrators and those involved with allocations of
research funds."
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
"For decades, the treatment of pain in general and chronic pain in
particular has been based on anecdote and conjecture. Now that the era
of evidence-based medicine is firmly upon us, many clinicians would like
to be able to base what they do on the available science. This book does
a first-rate job of collecting and analyzing that information. The
authorship is international and interdisciplinary. The chapters are
organized in a way that makes intuitive sense to clinicians .... This
core is enhanced by readable chapters on epidemiological basics,
psychological factors and gender considerations. The references are
comprehensive and up to date.
"... this is an important piece of scholarship and at its very
reasonable price, should find its way into the collection of pain
medicine practitioners everywhere."
Canadian Journal of Anesthesia
"This volume has no competitors and is a reference 'must' for doctors
and dentists treating patients with chronic pain as well as for
epidemiologists dealing with chronic pain and musculoskeletal disease.
The book is easy to read, insightful, and illustrative of how knowledge
within a medical field should be conveyed in written form."
Tidsskrift for Den norske lægeforening
"Epidemiology is one of the critical sciences basic to an
understanding of disease and illness. Studies of the epidemiology of
pain are a relatively new phenomenon with many studies flawed to the
point that meaningful extrapolations to the population at large are
unable to be made. The contributors to this volume have succeeded in
examining the currently available literature in a critical and thorough
manner by applying the highest criteria for distinguishing major,
high-quality studies from others. This valuable book is the first to
have systematically compiled a wealth of statistical information
regarding the epidemiology of pain. It is up to students to grasp this
and apply it appropriately in clinical practice."
South African Medical Journal
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