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Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Apr 2022To systematically review the literature on the relationship between markers of inflammation and pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the literature on the relationship between markers of inflammation and pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE databases from inception until June 2021. Eligible articles had to report on the association between inflammation (as measured by effusion, synovitis, baker's cysts, cytokines and C-reactive protein) and pain in patients with radiographic knee OA. Two reviewers independently performed a screening on title and abstracts, data extraction and risk of bias assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A best evidence synthesis was conducted for each inflammatory sign included in this review.
RESULTS
37 studies were included. Articles reported on the following measures: effusion or synovitis assessed via ultrasound (n = 9) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 17); baker's cyst (n = 3); cytokine concentrations (n = 11); and C-reactive protein levels (n = 4). The strength of the association between inflammation and pain does not exceed the moderate level (i.e., correlation coefficient values ranging from 0.19 to 0.61). Moderate levels of evidence were found for the association between synovitis (measured with ultrasound or contrast enhanced MRI) and pain. The levels of evidence between effusion (assessed via ultrasound), effusion/synovitis (assessed via non-contrast enhanced MRI), Baker's cyst, cytokines, C-reactive protein and pain were conflicting.
CONCLUSIONS
Different inflammatory markers are associated with pain but the correlation ranges from weak to moderate, and the quality of evidence from conflicting to moderate. Further research is needed to strengthen the level of evidence and to establish mechanisms.
Topics: C-Reactive Protein; Cytokines; Humans; Inflammation; Knee Joint; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain; Popliteal Cyst; Synovitis
PubMed: 34968719
DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.12.003 -
BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care Sep 2021Pain is one of the most common and problematic symptoms encountered by patients with cancer. Due to the multifactorial aetiology, pain management of these patients... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pain is one of the most common and problematic symptoms encountered by patients with cancer. Due to the multifactorial aetiology, pain management of these patients frequently requires multidisciplinary interventions including conventional support and specialty palliative care. Acupuncture has been identified as a possible adjunctive therapy for symptom management in cancer pain, and there is currently no systematic review focused solely on the evidence of acupuncture on cancer pain in palliative care.
OBJECTIVE
To critically analyse currently available publications regarding the use of acupuncture for pain management among patients with cancer in palliative care settings.
METHODS
Multiple academic databases were searched from inception to 29 October 2020. Randomised controlled trials involving acupuncture in palliative care for treatment of cancer-related pain were synthesised. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers, and methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) 2011 Levels of Evidence.
RESULTS
Five studies (n=189) were included in this systematic review. Results indicated a favourable effect of acupuncture on pain relief in palliative care for patients with cancer. According to OCEBM 2011 Levels of Evidence, they were level 2 in one case (20%), level 3 in two cases (40%) and level 4 in the remaining (40%). Low-level evidence adversely affects the reliability of findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture may be an effective and safe treatment associated with pain reduction in the palliative care of patients with cancer. Further high-quality, adequately powered studies are needed in the future.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Cancer Pain; Humans; Neoplasms; Pain Management; Palliative Care; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 33441387
DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002638 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Jun 2016Cancer pain has a severe impact on quality of life and is associated with numerous psychosocial responses. Recent studies suggest that treatment of cancer pain has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT
Cancer pain has a severe impact on quality of life and is associated with numerous psychosocial responses. Recent studies suggest that treatment of cancer pain has improved during the last decade.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to examine the present status of pain prevalence and pain severity in patients with cancer.
METHODS
A systematic search of the literature published between September 2005 and January 2014 was performed using the databases PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane. Articles in English or Dutch that reported on the prevalence of cancer pain in an adult population were included. Titles and abstracts were screened by two authors independently, after which full texts were evaluated and assessed on methodological quality. Study details and pain characteristics were extracted from the articles with adequate study quality. Prevalence rates were pooled with meta-analysis; meta-regression was performed to explore determinants of pain prevalence.
RESULTS
Of 4117 titles, 122 studies were selected for the meta-analyses on pain (117 studies, n = 63,533) and pain severity (52 studies, n = 32,261). Pain prevalence rates were 39.3% after curative treatment; 55.0% during anticancer treatment; and 66.4% in advanced, metastatic, or terminal disease. Moderate to severe pain (numerical rating scale score ≥5) was reported by 38.0% of all patients.
CONCLUSION
Despite increased attention on assessment and management, pain continues to be a prevalent symptom in patients with cancer. In the upcoming decade, we need to overcome barriers toward effective pain treatment and develop and implement interventions to optimally manage pain in patients with cancer.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Pain; Prevalence
PubMed: 27112310
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.340 -
The Journal of Headache and Pain Oct 2017This systematic review summarizes the existing data on headache and pregnancy with a scope on clinical headache phenotypes, treatment of headaches in pregnancy and... (Review)
Review
This systematic review summarizes the existing data on headache and pregnancy with a scope on clinical headache phenotypes, treatment of headaches in pregnancy and effects of headache medications on the child during pregnancy and breastfeeding, headache related complications, and diagnostics of headache in pregnancy. Headache during pregnancy can be both primary and secondary, and in the last case can be a symptom of a life-threatening condition. The most common secondary headaches are stroke, cerebral venous thrombosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, pituitary tumor, choriocarcinoma, eclampsia, preeclampsia, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Migraine is a risk factor for pregnancy complications, particularly vascular events. Data regarding other primary headache conditions are still scarce. Early diagnostics of the disease manifested by headache is important for mother and fetus life. It is especially important to identify "red flag symptoms" suggesting that headache is a symptom of a serious disease. In order to exclude a secondary headache additional studies can be necessary: electroencephalography, ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, brain MRI and MR angiography with contrast ophthalmoscopy and lumbar puncture. During pregnancy and breastfeeding the preferred therapeutic strategy for the treatment of primary headaches should always be a non-pharmacological one. Treatment should not be postponed as an undermanaged headache can lead to stress, sleep deprivation, depression and poor nutritional intake that in turn can have negative consequences for both mother and baby. Therefore, if non-pharmacological interventions seem inadequate, a well-considered choice should be made concerning the use of medication, taking into account all the benefits and possible risks.
Topics: Analgesics; Electroencephalography; Female; Head; Headache; Headache Disorders; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pseudotumor Cerebri; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29052046
DOI: 10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023Over 80% of patients affected by cancer develops cancer-related pain, one of the most feared consequences because of its intractable nature, particularly in the terminal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Over 80% of patients affected by cancer develops cancer-related pain, one of the most feared consequences because of its intractable nature, particularly in the terminal stage of the disease. Recent evidence-based recommendations on integrative medicine for the management of cancer pain underline the role of natural products. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims at appraising for the first time the efficacy of aromatherapy in cancer pain in clinical studies with different design according to the most updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 recommendations. The search retrieves 1002 total records. Twelve studies are included and six are eligible for meta-analysis. The present study demonstrates significant efficacy of the use of essential oils in the reduction of the intensity of pain associated with cancer ( < 0.00001), highlighting the need for earlier, more homogeneous, and appropriately designed clinical trials. Good certainty body of evidence is needed for effective and safe management of cancer-related pain using essential oils by establishment of a step-by-step preclinical-to-clinical pathway to provide a rational basis for clinical use in integrative oncology. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023393182.
Topics: Humans; Cancer Pain; Oils, Volatile; Pain; Aromatherapy; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37108246
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087085 -
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Aug 2022Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, patients still suffer from the various physical and psychological complications of cancer. The aim of this... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, patients still suffer from the various physical and psychological complications of cancer. The aim of this research was to integrate and synthesize relevant scientific evidence about the effect of lavender on cancer complications.
METHODS
A systematic review of the international literature was undertaken. The search process encompassed four databases of PubMed [including MEDLINE], Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane library without time and language limits. All types of interventional studies examining the effects of lavender on cancer complications were included in data analysis and research synthesis. Relevant data were obtained from eligible studies after quality appraisal using appropriate methodological tools. Given that meta-analysis could not performed, the review findings were synthesized narratively.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included in this review with a total of 838 patients. Nine studies used a randomized controlled trial design and the majority of them were conducted on patients with multiple types of cancer. Lavender was often used as inhalation aromatherapy. In the majority of the included studies, lavender was significantly effective in the reduction of anxiety and pain, and improved sleep quality and vital signs.
CONCLUSIONS
This review provides scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of lavender in mitigating cancer complications. Healthcare providers are suggested to use lavender in patient care along with other healthcare interventions to relieve cancer complications.
Topics: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Aromatherapy; Humans; Lavandula; Neoplasms; Oils, Volatile; Pain; Plant Oils; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35462027
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102836 -
Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain... Aug 2021The aim of this review was to update the recommendations for optimal pain management after open and laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy. Optimal pain management is... (Review)
Review
The aim of this review was to update the recommendations for optimal pain management after open and laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy. Optimal pain management is known to influence postoperative recovery, but patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy typically experience moderate dynamic pain in the immediate postoperative day. Robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgery may be associated with decreased pain levels as opposed to open surgery. We performed a systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) with PROcedure SPECific Postoperative Pain ManagemenT (PROSPECT) methodology. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English language, from January 2015 until March 2020, assessing postoperative pain, using analgesic, anaesthetic and surgical interventions, were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases. Of the 1797 studies identified, 35 RCTs and 3 meta-analyses met our inclusion criteria. NSAIDs and COX-2 selective inhibitors proved to lower postoperative pain scores. Continuous intravenous lidocaine reduced postoperative pain scores during open surgery. Local wound infiltration showed positive results in open surgery. Bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was performed at the end of surgery and lowered pain scores in robot-assisted procedures, but results were conflicting for open procedures. Basic analgesia for prostatic surgery should include paracetamol and NSAIDs or COX-2 selective inhibitors. TAP block should be recommended as the first-choice regional analgesic technique for laparoscopic/robotic radical prostatectomy. Intravenous lidocaine should be considered for open surgeries.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Nerve Block; Pain Management; Pain, Postoperative; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prostatectomy
PubMed: 34197976
DOI: 10.1016/j.accpm.2021.100922 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2023Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment, resulting in pain, numbness, instability, and thus affecting quality of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND/AIM
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment, resulting in pain, numbness, instability, and thus affecting quality of life (QoL), occasionally leading to discontinuation of chemotherapy. Pharmacological treatments are not sufficient. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) have also been tried. This study aimed to systematically review the efficacy of NPIs on pain and QoL in patients suffering from CIPN.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The databases searched were Pubmed, Cohrane, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the last 5 years (2017-2022). Studies were considered eligible, if they assessed adult patients suffering from CIPN because of any chemotherapeutic drug for any type and any stage of cancer and if study protocols included non-pharmacological intervention with a structured protocol.
RESULTS
A total of 1,496 records were identified. Finally, 10 RCTs including 495 patients (253 in the intervention group and 242 in the control group) were included for meta-analysis. Intervention protocols included acupuncture (n=6), exercise (n=3), and yoga (n=1). NPIs significantly reduced neuropathic pain. However, the effect on QoL was not significant.
CONCLUSION
NPIs are beneficial in the treatment of pain in patients with CIPN but their impact on QoL is not statistically supported. Larger sample sizes, more homogenous in outcome measures and interventions are needed to further explore NPIs' efficacy on CIPN symptoms.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Antineoplastic Agents; Neoplasms; Polyneuropathies; Neuralgia; Quality of Life
PubMed: 36593011
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13053 -
Archives of Disease in Childhood Oct 2016Leukaemia is the most common cancer of childhood, accounting for a third of cases. In order to assist clinicians in its early detection, we systematically reviewed all... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Leukaemia is the most common cancer of childhood, accounting for a third of cases. In order to assist clinicians in its early detection, we systematically reviewed all existing data on its clinical presentation and estimated the frequency of signs and symptoms presenting at or prior to diagnosis.
DESIGN
We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for all studies describing presenting features of leukaemia in children (0-18 years) without date or language restriction, and, when appropriate, meta-analysed data from the included studies.
RESULTS
We screened 12 303 abstracts for eligibility and included 33 studies (n=3084) in the analysis. All were cohort studies without control groups. 95 presenting signs and symptoms were identified and ranked according to frequency. Five features were present in >50% of children: hepatomegaly (64%), splenomegaly (61%), pallor (54%), fever (53%) and bruising (52%). An additional eight features were present in a third to a half of children: recurrent infections (49%), fatigue (46%), limb pain (43%), hepatosplenomegaly (42%), bruising/petechiae (42%), lymphadenopathy (41%), bleeding tendency (38%) and rash (35%). 6% of children were asymptomatic on diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Over 50% of children with leukaemia have palpable livers, palpable spleens, pallor, fever or bruising on diagnosis. Abdominal symptoms such as anorexia, weight loss, abdominal pain and abdominal distension are common. Musculoskeletal symptoms such as limp and joint pain also feature prominently. Children with unexplained illness require a thorough history and focused clinical examination, which should include abdominal palpation, palpation for lymphadenopathy and careful scrutiny of the skin. Occurrence of multiple symptoms and signs should alert clinicians to possible leukaemia.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Contusions; Early Detection of Cancer; Exanthema; Fever; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Hemorrhage; Hepatomegaly; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Leukemia; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Recurrence; Skin Diseases; Splenomegaly
PubMed: 27647842
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311251 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2020Pain, anxiety, or depression are very prevalent in children and adolescents with cancer, which is a great challenge for health professionals. Several studies pointing...
Pain, anxiety, or depression are very prevalent in children and adolescents with cancer, which is a great challenge for health professionals. Several studies pointing out the positive effect of technology on the management of symptoms have been published in recent years. Considering these studies is important in order to reduce the negative impact on the quality of life of this population. This study aimed to analyze the available evidence and to describe the benefits of the new technologies in the treatment of pain, anxiety, and depression in children and adolescents with cancer. A systematic search using six electronic databases was conducted to identify studies using technological interventions with a focus on pain, anxiety, and depression that were published from 2008 to 2018 including oncology patients from 0-18 years old. Out of the 1261 studies that were identified, five studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Robots were used in two studies, providing amusement and social interventions that showed significant improvements. Virtual reality, a mobile application, and a videogame were used in three studies and obtained beneficial results in pain and anxiety. The studies included in this review suggest that new technologies can be used as an innovative form of non-pharmacological intervention with therapeutic benefits.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Child; Child, Preschool; Depression; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Neoplasms; Pain; Pain Management; Quality of Life
PubMed: 32438762
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103563