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Osteoarthritis can have a profound effect on patients' quality of life. The Burden of Disease and Management of Osteoarthritis and Chronic Low Back Pain: Health Care Utilization and Sick Leave in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark (BISCUITS) study aimed to describe the impact of osteoarthritis on quality of life and determine the association with factors such as pain severity and pharmacological treatment.
Learn More >Sigma receptors (σ R and σ R) are pharmacologically characterized membrane-bound receptors that bind a wide range of chemical compounds. Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, and neuropathic pain have all been associated with abnormal σ activity. The σ receptor has recently been identified as a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting the formation of amyloid plaques. Numerous laboratories are now investigating the potential of σ ligands. Small molecule discovery is the focus of current research, with the goal of using target-based action to treat a variety of illnesses and ailments. Functionalized γ-butyrolactone and oxazolidinone-based ligands, in particular, are pharmacologically important scaffolds in drug discovery research and have been thoroughly examined for σ receptor efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacophoric features of different σ receptor ligands using techniques. This study used a library of 58 compounds having a γ-butyrolactone and oxazolidinone core. To investigate the binding characteristics of the ligands with the σ receptor, a 3D homology model was developed. To understand the binding pattern of the γ-butyrolactone and oxazolidinone based ligands, molecular docking studies were performed on both σ and σ receptors. Furthermore, MM/GBSA binding energy calculations were used to confirm the binding of ligands on the σ over σ receptor. These findings will aid in the discovery of selective σ ligands with good pharmacophoric properties and potency in the future.
Learn More >The blood-brain barrier (BBB) mediates cellular and molecular passage between the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral circulation. Compromised BBB integrity has been linked to neurocognitive deficits in multiple diseases and various infections, including those associated with HIV-1 infection. Understanding the impact of exposure to pharmaceuticals, such as those utilized for pain management by patients suffering from CNS disease, on BBB regulation and function is clinically important. In this study, we modelled two different BBB systems; a primary human co-culture and a cell line monoculture. These systems were both exposed to three daily repeat doses of morphine and examined for alterations to BBB integrity via permeability, PBMC transmigration, and chemokine gradient changes. We did not find any significant changes to either BBB system with repeat morphine dosing, suggesting that repeat morphine exposure may not play a significant role in BBB changes.
Learn More >Given the often disappointing results of pharmacotherapy, many patients with chronic pain seek to modify their lifestyle. Some lifestyle factors, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or psychostimulants, are deleterious in this context, whereas others, such as physical activity and a balanced diet, are considered beneficial, but these require substantial effort on the part of patients. In all cases, it is important to analyse lifestyle factors in patients with chronic pain, without stigmatisation, as the co-existence of pain and inappropriate behaviour can be seen as double jeopardy in patients with pain.
Learn More >Neuropathic pain is a prevalent and burdensome condition. While oral medical therapies are the first-line treatment for refractory neuropathic pain, in some cases, infusion therapy may be employed. This article is a systematic review of recent publications regarding epidemiologic, pathophysiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic advancements in the treatment of neuropathic pain using intravenous infusion therapy. Special consideration will be given to relevant and practically used agents and available information on outcomes.
Learn More >Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the most common joint diseases leading to chronic pain and disability. Given the chronicity and disabling nature of OA and RA, they are likely to influence full participation of individuals in the society. An activity limitation occurs when a person has difficulty executing an activity; a participation restriction is experienced when a person has difficulty participating in a real-life situation. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between OA and RA and the domains of activity limitation and participation restriction.
Learn More >Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent neurological disorder. As there is a gap in the literature regarding the disease burden attributable to TTH in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the aim of the present study was to report the epidemiological indicators of TTH in MENA, from 1990 to 2019, by sex, age and socio-demographic index (SDI).
Learn More >This study aimed to compare the efficacy between patient-controlled caudal epidural analgesia (PCCA) and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after perianal surgery, to provide a feasible solution to postoperative pain.
Learn More >Poorly controlled postoperative pain is associated with increased morbidity, negatively affects quality of life and functional recovery, and is a risk factor for persistent pain and longer-term opioid use. Up to 10% of opioid-naïve patients have persistent opioid use after many types of surgeries. Opioid-related side-effects and the opioid abuse epidemic emphasise the need for alternative, opioid-minimising, multimodal analgesic strategies, including neuraxial (epidural/intrathecal) techniques, truncal nerve blocks, and lidocaine infusions. The preference for minimally invasive surgical techniques has changed anaesthetic and analgesic requirements in abdominal surgery compared with open laparotomy, leading to a decline in popularity of epidural anaesthesia and an increasing interest in intrathecal morphine and truncal nerve blocks. Limited research exists on patient quality of recovery using specific analgesic techniques after intra-abdominal surgery. Poorly controlled postoperative pain after major abdominal surgery should be a research priority as it affects patient-centred short-term and long-term outcomes (including quality of life scores, return to function measurements, disability-free survival) and has broad community health and economic implications.
Learn More >Describe concerns, advantages, and disadvantages encountered in an evidence-based PT program for persons with chronic low back pain (cLBP) delivered by telehealth.
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