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The adulteration of whiskey with analgesics and sedation drugs has been a common practice to prevent hangover the following day and promote loss of consciousness. In both situations, the portable and low cost detection platforms are of paramount importance for forensic investigations. This report describes the use of electrochemical paper‐based analytical devices (ePADs) fabricated by pencil drawing for detecting metamizole, paracetamol and midazolam maleate in whiskey. Different types of paper substrates and graphite pencils were initially characterized with ferrocyanide. The best results were achieved using vegetal paper and Aquarelle/6B pencils. ePADs revealed a decrease in current signal indicating a short lifetime, thus limiting their use to disposable sensors. Despite the short lifetime, the graphite pencil ePADs revealed good electrochemical reproducibility (RSD=3.3 %). The forensic feasibility of the proposed ePADs was demonstrated through the analysis of metamizole and paracetamol in whiskey. The limit of detection (LOD) achieved for paracetamol and metamizole were 45 and 20 mg L−1, respectively. ePADs were also tested to detect midazolam maleate in whiskey. The signal recorded exhibited linear correlation in a wide concentration range (25–1000 mg L−1) and a LOD of ca. 5 mg L−1. Considering the disposability and operational simplicity, ePADs offer a good strategy for detecting adulterations in alcoholic beverages at the point‐of‐need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic mechanical low back pain (cLBP) is a leading cause of disability and a major socio-economic burden internationally. The lifetime prevalence of non-specific LBP is approximately 84%, with the prevalence of cLBP at about 23%. Clinically available analgesic/adjuvant medications often provide inadequate pain relief in patients experiencing cLBP. Hence, the urgency for discovery of effective and better tolerated medications. Fourteen days after the induction of five shallow annular punctures (5X) in the lumbar intervertebral discs at L4/L5 and L5/L6 in male Sprague-Dawley rats, mechanical hyperalgesia was fully developed in the lumbar axial deep tissues at L4/L5 (primary) and L1 (secondary). Importantly, mechanical allodynia in the hindpaws was absent. From day 28, we assessed the face validity of our mild to moderate LBP-5X rat model using four clinically available analgesic/adjuvant drugs, namely gabapentin, morphine, meloxicam and amitriptyline relative to vehicle. Additionally, the anti-hyperalgesic effects of J-2156, a highly selective small molecule somatostatin type 4 receptor agonist was assessed. Single i.p. bolus doses of gabapentin and meloxicam at the highest doses tested (100 and 30 mg/kg, respectively) alleviated secondary hyperalgesia (L1) but not primary hyperalgesia (L4/5). Morphine at 1 mg/kg alleviated both primary and secondary hyperalgesia in these tissues, whereas amitriptyline at the doses tested, lacked efficacy. These findings attest to the face validity of our model. J-2156 at 10 and 30 mg/kg alleviated secondary hyperalgesia in the lumbar axial deep tissues at L1 with a non-significant trend for relief of primary hyperalgesia in the corresponding tissues at L4/L5 in these animals., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background and Objective: Pain is a common symptom in patients who survive cancer and in those who live with progressive advanced disease. Evidence from meta-analyses suggests that pain remains poorly controlled for a large proportion of patients; barriers to good management include poor assessment of pain, inadequate support for patient self-management and late or inadequate access to strong opioid analgesia in those with advanced disease.Methods: The European Pain Federation (EFIC) established a Task Force in 2017 which convened a European group of experts, drawn from a diverse range of relevant clinical disciplines, to prepare a position paper on appropriate standards for the management of cancer-related pain. The expert panel reviewed the available literature and made recommendations using the GRADE system to combine quality of evidence with strength of recommendation. The panel took into account the desirable and undesirable effects of the management recommendation, including the cost and inconvenience of each when deciding the recommendation.Results and Conclusions: The 10 standards presented are aimed to improve cancer pain management and reduce variation in practice across Europe. The Task Force believes that adoption of these standards by all 37 countries will promote the quality of care of patients with cancer-related pain and reduce unnecessary suffering.Significance: Pain affects up to 40% of cancer survivors and affects at least 66% of patients with advanced progressive disease, many of whom experience poor pain control. These 10 standards are aimed to improve cancer pain management, promote the quality of care of patients and reduce variation across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The use of non‐human primates (NHPs) in research remains a major societal concern with public expectations that appropriate anaesthetics and analgesics are used to minimize any pain or distress caused to animals undergoing invasive procedures. A literature review was conducted to examine the reporting of anaesthesia and analgesia methods used in non‐human primates undergoing surgical procedures, with recovery from anaesthesia. Methods: A total of 397 papers from peer‐review journals published between 2010 and 2015 were examined. Results: Only 25.9% of papers reported the analgesic regimen used, with carprofen and buprenorphine the 2 most widely used agents. Reporting of the anaesthetic regimens was included in 49.9% of papers. Ketamine and isoflurane were the most frequently used anaesthetic agents. Conclusions: Anaesthetic and analgesic regimens administered to NHPs remain poorly reported. This lack of detailed descriptions of protocols does little to reassure the public or regulatory authorities that appropriate high standards of perioperative care are employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poorly controlled pain is a global public health issue. The personal, familial and societal costs are immeasurable. Only a minority of European patients have access to a comprehensive specialist pain clinic. More commonly the responsibility for chronic pain management and initiating opioid therapy rests with the primary care physician and other non-specialist opioid prescribers. There is much confusing and conflicting information available to non-specialist prescribers regarding opioid therapy and a great deal of unjustified fear is generated. Opioid therapy should only be initiated by competent clinicians as part of a multi-faceted treatment programme in circumstances where more simple measures have failed. Throughout, all patients must be kept under close clinical surveillance. As with any other medical therapy, if the treatment fails to yield the desired results and/or the patient is additionally burdened by an unacceptable level of adverse effects, the overall management strategy must be reviewed and revised. No responsible clinician will wish to pursue a failed treatment strategy or persist with an ineffective and burdensome treatment. In a considered attempt to empower and inform non-specialist opioid prescribers, EFIC convened a European group of experts, drawn from a diverse range of basic science and relevant clinical disciplines, to prepare a position paper on appropriate opioid use in chronic pain. The expert panel reviewed the available literature and harnessed the experience of many years of clinical practice to produce these series of recommendations. Its success will be judged on the extent to which it contributes to an improved pain management experience for chronic pain patients across Europe.Significance: This position paper provides expert recommendations for primary care physicians and other non- specialist healthcare professionals in Europe, particularly those who do not have ready access to specialists in pain medicine, on the safe and appropriate use of opioid medications as part of a multi-faceted approach to pain management, in properly selected and supervised patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover picture illustrates the fabrication process of electrochemical paper‐based analytical devices (ePADs) fabricated by pencil drawing for detecting analgesics and sedation drugs in whiskey. Analgesics are commonly used to adulterate alcoholic beverages to prevent the hangover. On other hand, sedative drugs are occasionally added to alcoholic beverages to promote loss of consciousness, amnesia and hallucination in the victim. The ePADs fabricated with graphite pencil were successfully tested to detect metamizole, paracetamol and midazolam maleate, as model drugs, in whiskey samples. Due to the inherent portability, disposability, low cost, operational simplicity and speed, ePADs can emerge as an attractive strategy for point‐of‐need by crime scene or police agents. More details are discussed in the article by Anderson A. Dias, Thiago M. G. Cardoso, Cyro L. S. Chagas, Virgílio X. G. Oliveira, Rodrigo A. A. Munoz, Charles S. Henry, Mário H. P. Santana, Thiago R. L. C. Paixão and Wendell K. T. Coltro. DOI: 10.1002/elan.201800308 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Quality of life has become an increasingly important measurement in the substance use field. The main aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between non-medical use of prescription analgesics and sedatives and poor quality of life in the general population., Methods: Data were drawn from a Swedish national household survey conducted in 2008-2009. A stratified sample of 58,000 individuals aged 15-64 was randomly selected, with a response rate of 38.3% (n = 22,095). We examined the relationships between non-medical prescription drug use and quality of life in a logistic regression analysis, controlling for other substance use and sociodemographic variables., Results: In the final logistic regression model, both non-medical use of prescription analgesics and sedatives were independently associated with poor quality of life. Non-medical use of prescription sedatives was the strongest correlate of poor quality of life among the substance use variables., Discussion and Conclusions: The associations between non-medical prescription drug use and poor quality of life might imply a need to better identify and provide treatment for this group, especially individuals with non-medical prescription sedative use, which seems to be a particularly strong correlate of poor quality of life., Scientific Significance: Using a large, general population sample, the present paper is one of few to examine the relationships between non-medical prescription drug use and quality of life., (© American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.)

The article presents a case study of equine mammary tumours and states that though they are rare, they are aggressively invasive and that STAT3 transcription factor is more frequently expressed in luminal type tumours. The article also presents a prospective clinical trial of the analgesic and physiological properties of perioperative buprenorphine with butorphanol. It also includes a study of the efficacy of weight loss and exercise plan for treatment of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

Background: Daith piercing is a special ear‐piercing method that punctures the crus of the helix. The penetrated site at the ear's innermost point is assumed to stimulate a pressure point associated with the vagus nerve. It has been reported that the pierced spot relieves migraine and tension‐type headaches by activating vagal afferents, leading to the inhibition of neurons in the caudal trigeminal nucleus via the nucleus tractus solitarii. Objective: The objective of this narrative literature review is to summarize the current state of knowledge concerning daith piercing for the treatment of migraine and tension‐type headaches from the perspectives of the Chinese and Western auricular systems. Methods: PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched using the keywords "daith piercing," "auricular points," "headache," and "acupuncture" from database inception to September 1, 2023. Only studies on humans were eligible; otherwise, no further restrictions were applied to the study designs, type of headache, or patient population of the identified articles. Bibliographies of all eligible studies were screened for further eligible studies. The main outcome of interest was a quantitative measure of pain relief by daith piercing. Secondary outcomes were relapse time of headache and further outcomes related to daith piercing, if available. Results: From a total of 186 identified articles, one retrospective study and three case reports fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No clinical trial was identified. The obtained studies describe patients experiencing chronic headaches undergoing daith piercing without changing or reducing their usual medication. In all case studies and the retrospective study, patients reported substantial reductions in pain immediately after daith piercing; however, headache symptoms recurred several weeks to months thereafter. From the perspective of the Chinese and Western auricular systems, no sufficient explanation for the described treatment effect of daith piercing was found. Conclusion: The available literature, combined with the reported recurrence of pain as well as the associated side effects of daith piercing, indicate that current evidence does not support daith piercing for the treatment of migraine, tension‐type headaches, or other headache disorders. Plain Language Summary: This paper summarizes what we know about Daith piercing (DP) for chronic migraine and tension‐type headache and discusses how DP might work. Current evidence does not support DP as an effective treatment of chronic migraine and tension‐type headache. These findings might assist clinicians in discussing this subject with patients as well as guide future research. Plain Language Summary: This paper summarizes what we know about Daith piercing (DP) for migraine and tension‐type headache and discusses how DP might work. Current evidence does not support DP as an effective treatment of migraine and tension‐type headache. These findings might assist clinicians in discussing this subject with patients as well as guide future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study evaluated medication poisoning in paediatric patients through a systematic review and a retrospective documentary analysis in a Brazilian toxicological centre. Methods: The data were systematically collected on PubMed, Scopus and SciELO databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis guidelines. We included epidemiologic and prevalence studies that were published in English or Portuguese from 2013 to 2017 and covered paediatric patients. The retrospective incidence study was carried out in a Brazilian toxicological centre and was a documentary analysis of paediatric medication poisoning cases from 2005 to 2015. Results: The systematic review comprised 13 papers covering 895 206 poisoning cases from six different countries. The main agents of intoxication were analgesics and antihistamines. The eight papers that explored the reasons for the poisonings showed that 93% of those 762 863 cases were accidental. The Brazilian toxicological centre recorded 443 paediatric patients poisoned by medication such as benzodiazepines, analgesics and antibiotics and found that 63.2% were accidental. However, it agreed with the global findings in many other aspects. Conclusion: The systematic review showed a sustained number of paediatric medication toxicity cases worldwide and the key findings were broadly reflected by the retrospective study carried out in the Brazilian toxicological centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To undertake a literature search and critical appraisal of best available evidence to answer the clinical question: Does the addition of clonidine (I) to standard treatment with an opioid (C) improve outcomes (O) in infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome? A search of both comprehensive (MedLine and Embase) and pre-filtered databases (Dynamed, UpToDate and TRIP), utilising Boolean Operators to combine search terms appropriately. Three relevant studies were identified. One paper describing the outcomes of a randomised controlled trial by Agthe et al. (2009) most accurately answered the clinical question posed. This paper was critically appraised, and evidence applied to the clinical scenario. The use of clonidine as an adjunct to opioid in the management of infants with NAS reduces the total number of treatment days and dose of opioid required to control symptoms. However, there is a higher risk of rebound in symptoms post-cessation of opioid and clinicians need to account for this in their discharge planning. More large scale, multi-centre high-quality research is needed to clarify the role of clonidine in the treatment of NAS: as monotherapy versus adjunct, the optimal dose and longer-term impact on neurodevelopment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: This living and systematic review aimed to provide an updated summary of the available evidence on pain undertreatment prevalence in patients with cancer; correlations with some potential determinants and confounders were also carried out. Materials and methods: We updated a systematic review published on 2014, including observational and experimental studies reporting the use of the pain management index (PMI) in adults with cancer and pain, from 2014 to 2020. We conducted searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar. We performed univariate and multivariable regression analyses to describe the relationship between PMI and a list of potential explanatory variables. Results: Twenty new papers were identified, yielding a total sample size of 66 studies. The proportion of patients classified as undertreated according to the year of study publication shows a higher decrease from 1994 to 2013 (−13% as relative change) than the most recent years 2014–2020 (−11%). The quality of the included studies has increased over the years (from 80% to 93%). At the multivariable analysis, a statistically significant relationship was confirmed between undertreatment and the year of the publication of the study and with a low–medium economic level of the countries, where the studies were conducted. Discussion: Despite the improvement when compared to the period 1994–2000, still about 40% of the cases identified received an analgesic treatment inadequate to the intensity of pain, according to the PMI. Despite its intrinsic limitations, PMI continues to be widely used, and it could allow a continuous monitoring of pain management across a different mix of studies and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Gabapentin, a widely prescribed medication for various neuropathic pain conditions, has demonstrated efficacy in managing diverse neurological disorders. While conventional side effects are well‐documented, a growing body of evidence suggests the existence of atypical side effects, necessitating comprehensive exploration. This paper aims to systematically review and summarize the literature on the atypical side effects of gabapentin, shedding light on manifestations beyond the conventional spectrum.A systematic review was conducted, encompassing peer‐reviewed articles published up to the knowledge cutoff date in November 2023. Databases, specifically PubMed, were searched for relevant studies, focusing on atypical side effects such as myoclonus, ataxia, pediatric aggression, respiratory depression, pneumonia, pregnancy complications, sleep interference, encephalopathy, peripheral edema, suicidal ideation, dyskinesia, anorgasmia, and myopathy. Inclusion criteria comprised studies with a focus on gabapentin‐related atypical side effects, published in recognized journals and involving human subjects.The review identified a spectrum of atypical side effects associated with gabapentin use, ranging from neurological manifestations like myoclonus and ataxia to behavioral changes such as pediatric aggression and suicidal ideation. Additionally, respiratory complications, pregnancy‐related issues, sleep disturbances, and rare complications like encephalopathy and myopathy were observed. Literature synthesis provided insights into the incidence, clinical presentation, and potential mechanisms underlying these atypical side effects.This comprehensive review highlights the diverse range of atypical side effects associated with gabapentin use, expanding beyond conventional knowledge. Healthcare practitioners must be cognizant of these manifestations, recognizing their potential impact on patient well‐being. As clinical decision‐making relies on a thorough understanding of a medication's side effect profile, this review contributes to enhancing awareness and fostering informed practices in the prescription and management of gabapentin. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and risk factors associated with these atypical side effects, refining our understanding of gabapentin's safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug overdose has become a leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Between 2000 and 2015, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses increased 137%, including a 200% increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (including opioid pain relievers and heroin). Unnecessary opioid prescribing is one of the factors driving this epidemic. Objectives: The primary objective of this paper is to share lessons learned while conducting a randomized trial to de‐implement opioids for post‐extraction pain management utilizing clinical decision support (CDS) with and without patient education. The lessons learned from conducting this trial in a real‐world setting can be applied to future dissemination and implementation oral health research. Methods: The sources informing lessons learned were generated from qualitative interviews conducted with 20 of the forty‐nine dental providers involved in the study following the implementation phase of the trial. Ongoing policy, social and environmental factors were tracked throughout the study. Results: Dental providers in the trial identified the impact of training that involved health professionals sharing information about the personal impact of pain and opioid use. Additionally, they found utility in being presented with a dashboard detailing their prescribing patterns related to other dentists. For the 30 general dentists with access to the CDS, use of its portal varied widely, with most using it 10%–49% of the time related to extractions. Conclusions: In the context of a downward trend in opioid prescribing and considering the influence of the COVID pandemic during the trial, dental providers indicated benefit in training about negative personal impacts of prescribing opioids, and personally relevant feedback about their prescribing patterns. Only modest use of the CDS was realized. Implementation of this trial was impacted by governmental and health system policies and the COVID pandemic, prompt the consideration of implications regarding continuing ways to limit opioid prescribing among dental providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical pain was chosen as it was likely to be a more stable pain experience than acute experimental pain. This opinion that measurement of pain is useful holds true today as, although we strive to achieve good peri-operative pain management, almost one fifth of our patients continue to experience severe pain in the first 24 h after surgery [13]. Keywords: pain; pain measurement; visual analogue pain scale EN pain pain measurement visual analogue pain scale 559 562 4 03/04/21 20210401 NES 210401 Michael Rosen's 1976 paper on the reliability of the linear analogue for evaluating pain - now more commonly called a visual analogue scale (VAS) - starts with the words: " I pain is difficult to measure i " [1]. From these recommendations, the modern inpatient pain service evolved, with pain assessment in hospitals today continuing to focus on pain intensity evaluated with the numerical rating, visual analogue or verbal rating scales. [Extracted from the article]

Aims: The aim of this paper is to assess recent developments in non‐medical tramadol use, tramadol use disorder, illegal procurement and deaths. Methods: This study used repeated cross‐sectional analysis of data collected nationwide from 2013 to 2018. Analysis was conducted through multisource monitoring of the French Addictovigilance Network of: (1) validated reports of high‐risk tramadol use, (2) record systems collecting information from toxicology experts investigating analgesic‐related deaths (DTA) and deaths related to substance abuse (DRAMES), and pharmacists for forged prescriptions (OSIAP), and (3) survey of drug users, with investigation of patterns of use while visiting addiction‐specialised institutions (OPPIDUM). Results: Despite a plateauing level of tramadol exposure in the French population, the proportion of tramadol reports increased 1.7‐fold (187 cases in 2018, 3.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.74–3.63%), versus 1.9% (95% CI: 1.49–2.42% in 2013). Trends were similar in OSIAP: 11.9% of forged prescriptions in 2018 (95% CI: 10.56–13.45%); 1.7‐fold increase; in OPPIDUM: 0.76% (95% CI: 0.55–1.02); 2.2‐fold increase; and DRAMES: 3.2% of drug abuse‐related deaths in 2018 (95% CI: 1.89–5.16) versus 1.7% in 2013 (95% CI: 0.65–3.84). Tramadol was the primary opioid in analgesic‐related deaths in DTA (45% in 2018). Two profiles of high‐risk tramadol users were identified: (1) patients treated for pain or with tramadol persistence when pain disappeared (mainly women; mean age 44 years), and (2) individuals with non‐medical use for psychoactive effects (mainly men; mean age 36 years). Conclusion: The triangulation of the data obtained through addictovigilance monitoring evidenced a recent increase in high‐risk tramadol use. These findings have a practical impact on the limitation of the maximal duration of tramadol prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, Aims and Objectives: Portenoy and Foley's 1986 landmark case series 'Chronic use of opioid analgesics in non‐malignant pain: report of 38 cases' has been reproached for opening the floodgates of opioid prescribing for chronic non‐cancer pain and the attendant harms. This influential article has been cited over 500 times in the scientific literature over the last four decades. This study seeks to understand the impact of Portenoy and Foley's article on subsequent discussions and research about opioids. Methods: We conducted a multi‐method bibliometric analysis of all citations of this article from 1986 through 2019 using quantitative relational and qualitative content analysis to determine how uses and interpretations of this case series and associated prescribing guidance have changed over time, in relationship to the evolution of the North American opioid crises. Results: Using time series analysis, we identified three periods with distinct interpretations and uses of the index article. In the first 'exploration' period (1986–1996), the index article was well‐received by the scientific community and motivated further study of the effects of opioids. In the second 'implementation' period (1997–2003, coinciding with the release of OxyContin®), this case series was used as evidence to support widespread prescribing of opioid analgesics, even while it was recognized that long‐term effects had not yet been evaluated. The third 'reassessment' period (2004–2019) focused on how opioid‐related harms had been overlooked, and in many cases, these harms were directly attributed to this article. Conclusion: These changes in interpretation demonstrate shifting currents of the use and mobilization of evidence regarding pain and opioids, and how these currents both impact and are impacted by clinical practices and major sociohistorical phenomena such as the opioid crisis. Researchers and clinicians must account for these shifting dynamics when developing and interpreting scientific knowledge, including in the form of clinical practice guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness and adverse reactions of ketorolac in comparison with other drugs when administered postoperatively after third molar surgery. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were utilized to search for articles comparing the efficacy and safety of ketorolac and other analgesic agents after third molar surgery. Data from papers with a lower risk of bias were recorded. The overall evaluation of analgesia onset, general and subgroup evaluation of the number of patients requiring rescue analgesic medication, general and subgroup assessment of the study medication (satisfaction on the study drugs), and the overall estimation of adverse effects were performed using the Review Manager Software 5.3 to analyse the data and obtain the meta‐analysis plot. Results: The subgroup evaluation of the study medication showed that patients who received ketorolac 30 mg were more satisfied than those who were given parecoxib 1 mg (odds ratio [OR] = 8.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.66–20.08, P =.00001), parecoxib 2 mg (OR = 7.17, 95% CI = 2.88–17.86, P =.0001), parecoxib 5 mg (OR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.69–5.41, P =.0002), and parecoxib 10 mg (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.36–4.32, P =.003). Moreover, patients who received ketorolac reported fewer adverse reactions compared with those who had received opioid analgesics (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.32–1.76, P =.0001). Conclusions: The data from this study demonstrates that the postoperative administration of ketorolac 30 mg presents better results on patient satisfaction when compared to parecoxib 1 mg to 10 mg, and presents a similar satisfaction to parecoxib 20 mg following third molar removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context In patients with cancer, pain is one of the most feared and burdensome symptoms. Adjuvant analgesics are an important cornerstone on which treatment of pain in patients with cancer is based. Objectives To update our guidelines for the treatment of pain in patients with cancer, we performed a systematic review on the use of adjuvant analgesics in pain in cancer. Methods A systematic search of the literature was performed searching for articles that studied the effect of (1) antidepressants, (2) anti-epileptics, (3) N-methyl- d-aspartate ( NMDA) receptor antagonists, and (4) other adjuvant analgesics in patients with cancer pain and described their effects on pain intensity and/or side effects. Results Based on the keywords and after reading the full papers, we could include 12 papers on anticonvulsants, 10 papers on antidepressants, four on NMDA receptor antagonists, and 10 papers on other adjuvant analgesics. The methodological quality of the included papers was graded as low to very low. Overall, there was a low quality of evidence that gabapentin, pregabalin, amitriptyline, and venlafaxine were effective in reducing pain intensity in patients with cancer pain. There was insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of lamotrigine, levetiracetam, NMDA antagonists, cannabinoids, corticosteroids, and local anesthetics on reducing pain intensity in patients with cancer pain. Conclusion The quality of currently available evidence on the effectiveness of adjuvant analgesics in the treatment of cancer pain is low. The treatment of pain associated with cancer should be tailored to the patient's personal preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this manuscript is to summarize research on how experimental pain is experienced by adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to translate results into implications for nurses. Design: This discursive review synthesizes the results of three previous research studies exploring experimental pain in adults with AD. Methods: Using a series of fictional clinical vignettes, the authors discuss how the results from three previous papers using acute experimental pain can potentially be translated into clinical practice. The authors also introduce the reader to the concept of research‐related psychophysics using introductory definitions and concepts with the impetus to encourage other nurses to consider this research methodology. Results: Pain characteristics in AD that differ from cognitively intact controls must be explored to properly address pain in this population. Nurses are well positioned to address these issues in order to provide a high quality of care to adults with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vital signs, such as heart rate and oxygen saturation, are continuously monitored for infants in neonatal care units. Pharmacological interventions can alter an infant's vital signs, either as an intended effect or as a side effect, and consequently could provide an approach to explore the wide variability in pharmacodynamics across infants and could be used to develop models to predict outcome (efficacy or adverse effects) in an individual infant. This will enable doses to be tailored according to the individual, shifting the balance toward efficacy and away from the adverse effects of a drug. Pharmacological analgesics are frequently not given in part due to the risk of adverse effects, yet this exposes infants to the short‐ and long‐term effects of painful procedures. Personalized analgesic dosing will be an important step forward in providing safer effective pain relief in infants. The aim of this paper was to describe a framework to develop predictive models of drug outcome from analysis of vital signs data, focusing on analgesics as a representative example. This framework investigates changes in vital signs in response to the analgesic (prior to the painful procedure) and proposes using machine learning to examine if these changes are predictive of outcome—either efficacy (with pain response measured using a multimodal approach, as changes in vital signs alone have limited sensitivity and specificity) or adverse effects. The framework could be applied to both preterm and term infants in neonatal care units, as well as older children. Sharing vital signs data are proposed as a means to achieve this aim and bring personalized medicine rapidly to the forefront in neonatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several papers have reported that tramadol can induce hypoglycemia. However, in some reports, confounding factors can be found, like coadministration of hypoglycemic drugs. We used the WHO pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase®) to investigate whether tramadol alone could be associated with hyponatremia. All 2010–2019 ICSRs (Individual Case Safety Reports) with the PT term "hyponatremia" and tramadol were included. Two disproportionality analyses were performed: 1/after inclusion of all reports, 2/after exclusion of concomitant hypoglycemic drugs. Results are expressed as Reporting Odds Ratios (ROR; 95% CI). Among 10 038 436 ICSRs, 97 639 were included. In comparison with codeine, a significant association was found between tramadol use and reports of hypoglycemia before [ROR = 1.54 (1.43–1.66)] or after [ROR = 1.43 (1.31–1.56)] exclusion of hypoglycemic drugs. Tramadol use is associated with a higher risk of hypoglycemia reports than codeine, the other step 2 analgesic, in the presence as well as in the absence of other hypoglycemic drugs. We concluded that hypoglycemia is an adverse drug reaction of tramadol, which can be observed in diabetic as well as in non‐diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Opioid prescription for chronic noncancer pain is associated with problematic use. We aimed to review and summarize the evidence on the prevalence of problematic use of opioids in adults with chronic noncancer pain and investigate whether the prevalence rates were changing over time. Databases and Data Treatment: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement. We systematically searched the literature in the electronic databases MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science and studies with adult participants with chronic noncancer pain using opioids with indication of one or more of the following terms about problematic opioid use: abuse, misuse, addiction, dependence, problematic use, and aberrant behavior/use were eligible for data extraction. Meta‐analysis was performed to estimate the pooled prevalence rates using a random‐effects model, and subanalysis was conducted. Results: Our search identified a total of 784 potentially relevant studies. After a thorough evaluation, 19 papers, mostly from the United States, were included in our qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The majority of the data came from speciality pain clinics. The estimated prevalence of problematic use of opioids in adults with chronic noncancer pain was 36.3% (95% confidence interval: 27.4 to 45.2%; I2 = 99.64%). Problematic opioid use was mostly identified using the questionnaire method. Thirteen studies (68%) presented a low risk of bias. Conclusions: Our study presents an alarming estimate regarding the prevalence of problematic use of opioids among patients with noncancer pain. These results deserve special attention from health care professionals and health authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr (AT) is a medicinal and edible plant with high nutritional value. The biological activity of A. trifoliatus (L.) Merr and its basis for injury treatment are explored in this paper. AT was ethanol‐extracted then refined separately with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n‐butanol. Active ingredients were analyzed, and anti‐bacterial, anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, and hemostatic effects were explored. Petroleum ether layer (PEL) extract produced the strongest antibacterial effect. Ethyl acetate layer (EAL) extract had the highest active substance content, with strong hemostatic and analgesic activities. Chloroform layer (CL) extract had the strongest anti‐inflammatory effect and significantly reduced IL‐1β protein expression. Active ingredients were analyzed using HPLC and UPLC‐MS to determine saponin, polyphenol, flavonoid, and characteristic ingredient contents. EAL extract had the highest polyphenol and flavonoid levels, including rutin, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid C, which may contribute to its nutritional activities. The study provides a reliable theoretical and practical basis for the applications of AT nutraceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper will discuss the process of mapping opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment resources for pregnant women and discuss the intersection between treatment resources and rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Design: A resource manual was developed through a systematic process with stakeholders across Illinois. Resources were mapped by county and overlaid with county rates of NAS, using hospital discharge data. Results: Across Illinois, 89 treatment resources were identified for pregnant women insured by Medicaid. Resources were concentrated in 36% of Illinois' counties. Counties with limited treatment resources generally had high rates of NAS. Sixty‐six percent of NAS cases among rural Illinois residents had no OUD treatment resources in their county. Rural counties had less access to medication‐assisted treatment (MAT), the standard of care for treatment of OUD, compared with other counties across the state. Conclusions: Efforts to increase OUD treatment options for pregnant women insured by Medicaid should concentrate on geographic areas with limited access and high need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxaliplatin is a third-generation, platinum-based derivative used to treat advanced colorectal cancer. Within the patient population on oxaliplatin therapy, a lower incidence of hematological adverse effects and gastrointestinal toxicity is noted, but severe neuropathic pain episodes characterized by increased cold and tactile hypersensitivity are present in ~95% of patients. This drug is also used to induce a rodent model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)-related neuropathic pain which is widely used in the search for novel therapies for CIPN prevention and treatment. This paper provides a step-by-step, detailed description of the prevention and intervention protocols used in our laboratory for the assessment of oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia in mice. To establish cold sensitivity in mice, the cold plate test was used. Latencies to pain reaction in response to cold stimulus (2.5°C) for vehicle-treated non-neuropathic mice, vehicle-treated mice injected with oxaliplatin (neuropathic control), and oxaliplatin-treated mice treated additionally with duloxetine are compared. Duloxetine is a serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor which was found to produce significant pain relief in patients with CIPN symptoms. In our present study, duloxetine administered intraperitoneally at the dose of 30 mg/kg served as a model antiallodynic drug which attenuated or partially prevented cold allodynia caused by oxaliplatin., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Background: Opioids are one of the most prescribed treatments for chronic pain (CP). However, their long‐term use (>3 months) has been surrounded by controversy, due to loss of beneficial effects. Objective: To explore the experiences of people with chronic non‐malignant low back pain in Spain undergoing long‐term treatment with opioids. Design: Qualitative study. Setting and participants: We conducted 15 semi‐structured interviews at the Pain Clinic with persons taking opioid treatment. Methods: The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis as described by Graneheim and Lundman, and developed categories and themes discussed in light of a biomedicalization framework. Main results: We developed one overarching theme—Living with opioids: dependence and autonomy while seeking relief—and three categories: The long pathway to opioids due to the invisibility of pain; Opioids: from blind date to a long‐term relationship; and What opioids cannot fix. Discussion: The long and difficult road to find effective treatments was a fundamental part of coping with pain, involving long‐term relationships with the health system. This study reflects the benefits, and drawbacks of opioids, along with struggles to maintain autonomy and make decisions while undergoing long‐term treatment with opioids. The paper also highlights the consequences of pain in the economy, family and social life of patients. Conclusions: Patients' experiences should be considered to a greater extent by health‐care professionals when giving information about opioids and setting treatment goals. Greater consideration of the social determinants of health that affect CP experiences might lead to more effective solutions to CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many opioid control policies target the prescribing behavior of health care providers. In this paper, we study the first comprehensive state-level policy requiring providers to access patients' opioid history before making prescribing decisions. We compare prescribers in Kentucky, which implemented this policy in 2012, to those in a control state, Indiana. Our main difference-in-differences analysis uses the universe of prescriptions filled in the two states to assess how the information provided affected prescribing behavior. We find that a significant share of low-volume providers stopped prescribing opioids altogether after the policy was implemented, though this change accounted for a small share of the reduction in total volume. The most important margin of response was to prescribe opioids to fewer patients. Although providers disproportionately discontinued treating patients whose opioid histories showed the use of multiple providers, there were also economically meaningful reductions for patients without multiple providers and single-use acute patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placebo and nocebo effects are a factor in sports performance. However, the majority of published studies in sport science are descriptive and speculative regarding mechanisms. It is therefore not unreasonable for the sceptic to argue that placebo and nocebo effects in sport are illusory, and might be better explained by variations in phenomena such as motivation. It is likely that, in sport at least, placebo and nocebo effects will remain in this empirical grey area until researchers provide stronger mechanistic evidence. Recent research in neuroscience has identified a number of consistent, discrete and interacting neurobiological and physiological pathways associated with placebo and nocebo effects, with many studies reporting data of potential interest to sport scientists, for example relating to pain, fatigue and motor control. Findings suggest that placebos and nocebos result in activity of the opioid, endocannabinoid and dopamine neurotransmitter systems, brain regions including the motor cortex and striatum, and measureable effects on the autonomic nervous system. Many studies have demonstrated that placebo and nocebo effects associated with a treatment, for example an inert treatment presented as an analgesic or stimulant, exhibit mechanisms similar or identical to the verum or true treatment. Such findings suggest the possibility of a wide range of distinct placebo and nocebo mechanisms that might influence sports performance. In the present paper, we present some of the findings from neuroscience. Focussing on fatigue as an outcome and caffeine as vehicle, we propose three approaches that researchers in sport might incorporate in their studies in order to better elucidate mechanisms of placebo/nocebo effects on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Opioid overdose death rates rose 36% from 2015 to 2016 in Missouri, indicating a worsening of the opioid overdose epidemic. To better understand urban and rural differences in nonfatal opioid overdoses treated in Missouri emergency departments, this paper analyzed hospital billing data from emergency departments due to opioid overdose from 2012 to 2016. Methods: Emergency department records meeting the opioid overdose case definition were aggregated into 6 progressively rural groups using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) urban‐rural county classification from 2013. These data were analyzed to determine significant trends amongst and between the geographic groups. Findings: Generally, the magnitude of opioid overdose morbidity decreased as levels of rurality increased, using annual percentage change as the metric of change. Over the study period, Missouri's most urban counties had significantly higher rates of opioid overdose and saw larger percentage increases in rates compared to more rural areas. Statewide, all rural‐urban classifications experienced increases in heroin overdose morbidity; however, there was extreme variation in the trajectory of those increases. Heroin overdose rates were much higher in urban areas than rural areas. Conversely, rural and urban areas saw relatively similar patterns for non‐heroin opioid overdoses, though overall magnitude of these increases was more modest across all geographic groups. Conclusions: The results from this analysis can help inform prioritization of strategies and resources to implement activities addressing the opioid overdose epidemic. Using a rich hospital discharge database could allow for further analysis of subpopulations to enhance personalization and customization of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) pain has been proposed to be a mixed pain state, because in some patients, central nervous system factors are superimposed upon the more traditional peripheral factors. In addition, a considerable amount of preclinical and clinical evidence has shown that, accompanying the central neuroplasticity changes and partially driven by a peripheral nociceptive input, a real neuropathic component occurs that are particularly linked to disease severity and progression. Hence, innovative strategies targeting neuroprotection and particularly neuroinflammation to prevent and treat OA pain could be introduced. Mangiferin (MG) is a glucosylxanthone that is broadly distributed in higher plants, such as Mangifera indica L. Previous studies have documented its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. In this paper, we propose its potential utility as a multitargeted compound for mixed OA pain, even in the context of multimodal pharmacotherapy. This hypothesis is supported by three main aspects: the cumulus of preclinical evidence around this xanthone, some preliminary clinical results using formulations containing MG in clinical musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain, and by speculations regarding its possible mechanism of action according to recent advances in OA pain knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to report our institution's experience with gabapentin therapy to manage agitation and pain in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. This was a retrospective, single-center study of NICU patients admitted between January 2015 and December 2017, who received gabapentin. Data on neonatal agitation, pain, Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale (N-PASS) scores, neurosedative medications, and adverse events were collected. Gabapentin was initiated in 16 patients at a corrected gestational age of 44 weeks (range 36.2-75wks) for agitation (n=9), pain (n=6), and movement disorders (n=1). A neurological diagnosis was present in 13 patients. Neonatal agitation, pain, and N-PASS scores and the need for other neurosedatives were significantly decreased 14 days after treatment initiation. Gabapentin is well tolerated in neonates and infants; it is associated with decreased pain scores and decreased need for multiple neurosedative medications 2 weeks after initiation. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Gabapentin is well tolerated in neonates and infants. Gabapentin decreases pain scores and the need for other neurosedative medications in neonates and infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, it has been reported that topical irrigations of liquid sevoflurane on the bed of painful wounds produce a rapid, intense, and lasting analgesic effect. In this paper, A cohort of 112 patients with painful pressure ulcers who were refractory to opioids (or who exhibited undesirable adverse events to them) was treated with topical sevoflurane as per local institutional policy. These patients were recruited from an intensive care unit for a period of 3 years. The main aim was to determine the effectiveness of topical sevoflurane in reducing the pain of PUs and reducing the ulcer area. Study findings are reported and discussed herein and suggest that sevoflurane is a viable and promising treatment option for PUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to perform a systematic review of the pathogenesis of medication-induced salivary gland dysfunction ( MISGD). Review of the identified papers was based on the standards regarding the methodology for systematic reviews set forth by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine IV and the PRISMA statement. Eligible papers were assessed for both the degree and strength of relevance to the pathogenesis of MISGD as well as on the appropriateness of the study design and sample size. A total of 99 papers were retained for the final analysis. MISGD in human studies was generally reported as xerostomia (the sensation of oral dryness) without measurements of salivary secretion rate. Medications may act on the central nervous system ( CNS) and/or at the neuroglandular junction on muscarinic, α-and β-adrenergic receptors and certain peptidergic receptors. The types of medications that were most commonly implicated for inducing salivary gland dysfunction were those acting on the nervous, cardiovascular, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and alimentary systems. Although many medications may affect the salivary flow rate and composition, most of the studies considered only xerostomia. Thus, further human studies are necessary to improve our understanding of the association between MISGD and the underlying pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accounts of the nature of unpleasant pain have proliferated over the past decade, but there has been little systematic investigation of which of them can accommodate its badness. This paper is such a study. In its sights are two targets: those who deny the non‐instrumental disvalue of pain's unpleasantness; and those who allow it but deny that it can be accommodated by the view—advanced by me and others—that unpleasant pains are interoceptive experiences with evaluative content. Against the former, I argue that pain's unpleasantness does indeed have noninstrumental disvalue; against the latter I argue both that my critics' own desire‐theoretic accounts of pain's unpleasantness cannot accommodate such disvalue, and that my evaluativist view can—either by appealing to "anti‐unpleasantness" desires or by exploiting pain's perceptuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SHPA thanks its Opioid Advocacy Working Group for their contributions to this paper and the original report: Jane Booth, Thuy Bui, Annabel Calder, Christine Coorey, Michael Dooley, Paul Firman, Kerry Fitzsimons, Marisa Hodgkinson, Jacinta Johnson, Margaret Jordan, Miriam Lawrence, Daniel Lim, Duncan McKenzie, Peter Samios, Benita Suckling, Penelope Tuffin and Jason Waddell, supported by Johanna de Wever, Jerry Yik, Courtney Munro and Maria Khokhar from the SHPA secretariat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from a survey conducted in 1996-1997 suggested a low level of perioperative analgesic administration to cats and dogs in the UK. In order to evaluate current practice and attitudes with regards to perioperative analgesic prescription, a cross-sectional survey of UK practising small animal veterinary surgeons was undertaken in spring 2013. Four thousand one hundred paper questionnaires were distributed and the survey was made available online. Seven hundred and twenty valid responses were received and analysed. All respondents had access to at least one non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and one opioid within their practice. Respondents considered analgesic efficacy, and degree of intraoperative pain, the most important factors governing their selection of NSAID and opioid analgesics. Perioperative NSAIDs were administered by approximately 98 per cent of respondents to dogs and cats undergoing neutering. Multimodal (opioid+NSAID) analgesia was prescribed by the majority of respondents. Neutering was considered more painful in dogs than in cats, and lower rates of opioid and postdischarge NSAID prescription were reported for cats. Orthopaedic, abdominal and dental surgeries were considered equally painful in dogs and cats. Local analgesic techniques were not commonly used. Analgesic prescription has increased since previous surveys, which should translate to improved animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Inappropriate use of analgesic drugs has become increasingly pervasive over the past decade. Currently, drug abuse potential is primarily assessed post-marketing; no validated tools are available to assess this potential in phase II and III clinical trials. This paper describes the development and feasibility testing of a Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion Drug Event Reporting System (MADDERS), which aims to identify potentially abuse-related events and classify them according to a recently developed classification scheme, allowing the quantification of these events in clinical trials., Methods: The system was initially conceived and designed with input from experts and patients, followed by field-testing to assess its feasibility and content validity in both completed and ongoing clinical trials., Results: The results suggest that MADDERS is a feasible system with initial validity. It showed higher rates of the triggering events in subjects taking medications with known abuse potential than in patients taking medications without abuse potential. Additionally, experts agreed on the classification of most abuse-related events in MADDERS., Discussion and Conclusions: MADDERS is a new systematic approach to collect information on potentially abuse-related events in clinical trials and classify them. The system has demonstrated feasibility for implementation. Additional research is ongoing to further evaluate its validity., Scientific Significance: Currently, there are no validated tools to assess drug abuse potential during clinical trials. Because of its ease of implementation, its systematic approach, and its preliminary validation results, MADDERS could provide such a tool for clinical trials. (Am J Addict 2016;25:641-651)., (© 2016 American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.)

Metastatic disease is a frequent complication of advanced cancer, with bone representing one of the most common sites of metastatic occurrence. Patients with bone metastases receive long-term systemic treatments that have a significant attritional impact on muscle strength, fatigue, and physical functioning. Physical rehabilitation involving exercise and physical activity prescription has a considerable role in counteracting these changes; however, exercise is often perceived as a contraindication in the presence of bone metastases due to concerns about aggravating skeletal related events. This article examines the physical sequelae of bone metastases and outlines the factors for consideration with exercise prescription in metastatic bone disease, including bone health, pain levels, and oncologic treatment. This article includes a comprehensive review of the evidence from trials of exercise prescription in this population, including the efficacy and safety outcomes of exercise interventions. Exercise interventions for patients with bone metastases are associated with positive physical and self-reported outcomes. Studies reviewed reporting adverse events did not find a high fracture incidence with exercise in comparison with control participants, or an association between exercise and fracture risk. The need to individualize exercise prescription and adapt exercises to patient ability were reinforced in all papers reviewed. Exercise prescription to patients with bone metastases does involve complex decision making; however, a number of tools are available that may inform both the assessment of patients and the prescription of exercise.Level Of Evidence: NA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dipyrone has analgesic, spasmolytic, and antipyretic effects and is used to treat pain. Due to a possible risk of agranulocytosis with the use of dipyrone, it has been banned in a number of countries. The most commonly used data for the use of dipyrone are related to adults. Information relating to the use of dipyrone in children is scarce. Given the potential added value of dipyrone in the treatment of pain, a review of the literature was conducted to obtain more insight into the analgesic efficacy of dipyrone in children as well as the safety of dipyrone in terms of adverse events. A literature search was done for original articles (in English, German, or Spanish language) which met the following criteria: the use of dipyrone for pain and children up to the age of 17 years old. All titles and abstracts retrieved were reviewed, independently, by two of the authors, for their suitability for inclusion. The references of the selected articles were also checked for additional relevant papers. The publications were categorized into case reports, observational studies, or randomized controlled trials. To assess the methodological quality of the studies, the Jadad score was used. In the limited available data, the analgesic efficacy of intravenous dipyrone appears similar to that of intravenous paracetamol. Evidence is lacking to support the claim that dipyrone is equivalent or even superior to Non-Steroid-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs in pediatric pain. While the absolute risk of agranulocytosis with dipyrone in children, based on available literature, cannot be determined, case reports suggest that this risk is not negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Since its market release, gabapentin has been presumed to have no abuse potential and subsequently has been prescribed widely off-label, despite increasing reports of gabapentin misuse. This review estimates and describes the prevalence and effects of, motivations behind and risk factors for gabapentin misuse, abuse and diversion., Methods: Databases were searched for peer-reviewed papers demonstrating gabapentin misuse, characterized by taking a larger dosage than prescribed or taking gabapentin without a prescription, and diversion. All types of studies were considered; grey literature was excluded. Thirty-three papers met inclusion criteria, consisting of 23 case studies and 11 epidemiological reports. Published reports came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, India, South Africa and France, and two analyzed websites not specific to a particular country., Results: Prevalence of gabapentin misuse in the general population was reported to be 1%, 40-65% among individuals with prescriptions and between 15 and 22% within populations of people who abuse opioids. An array of subjective experiences reminiscent of opioids, benzodiazepines and psychedelics were reported over a range of doses, including those within clinical recommendations. Gabapentin was misused primarily for recreational purposes, self-medication or intentional self-harm and was misused alone or in combination with other substances, especially opioids, benzodiazepines and/or alcohol. Individuals with histories of drug abuse were most often involved in its misuse., Conclusions: Epidemiological and case report evidence suggests that the anti-epileptic and analgesic medication gabapentin is being misused internationally, with substance abuse populations at special risk for misuse/abuse., (© 2016 Society for the Study of Addiction.)

It is well known that the sample correlation coefficient (Rxy ) is the maximum likelihood estimator of the Pearson correlation (ρxy ) for independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) bivariate normal data. However, this is not true for ophthalmologic data where X (e.g., visual acuity) and Y (e.g., visual field) are available for each eye and there is positive intraclass correlation for both X and Y in fellow eyes. In this paper, we provide a regression-based approach for obtaining the maximum likelihood estimator of ρxy for clustered data, which can be implemented using standard mixed effects model software. This method is also extended to allow for estimation of partial correlation by controlling both X and Y for a vector U_ of other covariates. In addition, these methods can be extended to allow for estimation of rank correlation for clustered data by (i) converting ranks of both X and Y to the probit scale, (ii) estimating the Pearson correlation between probit scores for X and Y, and (iii) using the relationship between Pearson and rank correlation for bivariate normally distributed data. The validity of the methods in finite-sized samples is supported by simulation studies. Finally, two examples from ophthalmology and analgesic abuse are used to illustrate the methods. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this literature review was to develop clinical guidelines for the prevention and control of needle-related pain in newborn infants. The guidelines were developed by the Italian Society of Neonatology, using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach, based on the assessment of 232 papers published between 1986 and 2015. The quality of the evidence was high or moderate for some behavioural and nonpharmacological interventions.Conclusion: There was sufficient evidence to strongly support the use of nonpharmacological interventions for common needle-related procedures in newborn infants. Combined interventions seemed to be more effective in relieving procedural pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims: Opioid overdose fatalities are a significant concern globally. Non-fatal overdoses have been described as a strong predictor for future overdoses, and are often attended by the ambulance services. This paper explores characteristics associated with non-fatal overdoses and aims to identify possible trends among these events in an urban area in Norway.Design and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of non-fatal overdoses from Bergen ambulance services from 2012 to 2013. Demographic, temporal and geographic data were explored.Results: During the two years, 463 non-fatal opioid overdoses were attended by ambulance services. Ambulance call-outs occurred primarily during the late afternoon and evening hours of weekdays. Summer months had more overdoses than other seasons, with a peak in August. Overdoses were nearly twice as likely to occur in a public location in August (risk ratio 1.92, P = 0.042). Ambulance response times were more likely to be longer to private locations, and these victims were more likely to be treated and left at the scene. There was no difference in arrival time for drug-related and non-drug related dispatch.Discussion and Conclusions: The temporal patterns suggest that non-fatal overdoses occur during non-recreational time periods. The longer ambulance response time and disposition for private addresses indicate potential opportunities for peer interventions. Our analysis describes circumstances surrounding non-fatal overdoses and can be useful in guiding relevant, targeted prevention interventions. [Madah-Amiri D, Clausen T, Myrmel L, Brattebø G, Lobmaier P. Circumstances surrounding non-fatal opioid overdoses attended by ambulance services. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:288-294]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]