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Tumours of the head and neck induce severe pain in patients, compromising their quality of life and impeding basic life functions. Treating this pain with currently available methods poses a significant therapeutic challenge. Current efforts are focused on identifying solutions that directly target the mechanisms responsible for the pain. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the development of this phenomenon are not fully understood. Among the pain-inducing factors in head and neck cancer, cytokines play a crucial role. These include TNF-a, interleukins, endothelin, and neurotrophic factors such as NGF. Secreted by the tumour and surrounding tissue, these substances activate and sensitise receptors on afferent neurons. Receptors for these molecules belong to the TRP family and their specific receptors. Additionally, the microenvironment of the tumour, comprising elements like proteases and hydrogen ions, contributes to pain through the activation and regulation of other pain receptors, particularly those in the PAR family. This article presents the current state of knowledge regarding the most widely studied pathomechanisms involved in the development of pain in head and neck tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Post-endodontic pain (PEP) is associated with the presence of any uncomfortable feeling or sensitivity that occurs within a few hours or a few days after the endodontic t reatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between psychological factors and the frequency and perception of PEP. Methods. The study sample consisted of 140 patients with incisors, canines, or premolars indicated for root canal treatment (RCT) without periapical pathology. A single experienced endodontist was involved in the procedure, and the same clinical protocol was used for all the patients. Participants psychometric evaluation was done using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). PEP levels were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale at different intervals (24, 48, and 72-hour intervals and after a week). Results. The presence of postoperative pain was reported in 63.6% of the respondents. The vast majority rated the pain intensity as mild, and the pain significantly decreased over evaluated time intervals. Participants who exhibited higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress reported significantly higher pain intensity. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tooth type (p = 0.001) and high anxiety score (p = 0.035) were directly associated with the occurrence of pain after therapy. Conclusion. Psychological factors, such as depression, stress, and anxiety, influenced pain perception after RCT treatment, and a high anxiety score was directly associated with the frequency of post-obturation pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sport & Tourism Central European Journal / Sport i Turystyka Srodkowoeuropejskie Czasopismo Naukowe is the property of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Nursing Journal / Sestrinski Glasnik is the property of Croatian Nurses Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background/Aim. Swelling, trismus, and pain (STP) are the most common complications that occur after the surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars (LTM). Buccal triangular and envelope flaps are the two most commonly used mucoperiosteal flaps in LTM surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the possible impact of these two types of flaps on the occurrence and intensity of postoperative STP after the surgical extraction of impacted LTMs. Methods. The study included 30 adult patients of both genders, with fully impacted LTMs in vertical position according to Winter classification and class I or II, and position A or B, according to Pell and Gregory classification. All patients were randomly divided into two groups depending on the type of the applied mucoperiosteal flap (triangular or envelope type). The degree of edema, interincisal distance (trismus), and the level of pain were evaluated preoperatively and at each follow-up (on the first, second, and seventh day postoperatively). Results. No statistically significant difference was found among the examined groups in terms of STP reduction in the postoperative period (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The choice of mucoperiosteal flap design, buccal triangular or envelope, during the surgical extraction of impacted LTMs has no impact on the intensity of postoperative STP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Since finding a safe and efficient strategy of multimodal postoperative analgesia and sedation is particularly critical, it is important that dexmedetomidine (DM) combined with opioid anesthetics can enhance that through a synergistic action. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of butorphanol tartrate (BT) combined with DM on postoperative analgesia. Methods. A total of 100 elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia surgery from January 2019 to June 2022 were selected. The patients were divided into two equal groups -- research group (RG) and control group (CG), using the random number table method. All patients were given postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) plus background infusion. CG patients were given 10 mg of BT, and RG patients were given 10 mg of BT and 300 μg of DM. The analgesics were diluted in 100 mL of 0.9% normal saline. The doses of rescue analgesic tramadol within 48 hrs after surgery, the number of PCIA boluses 48 hrs after surgery, and postoperative hospitalization time were recorded. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Ramsay sedation score (RSS), inflammatory and stress responses [interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, and angiotensin II (Ang-II)], and anesthesia-related adverse reactions (ARAR) were compared at different time points. Results. The dose of tramadol within 48 hrs after surgery, the number of PCIA boluses 48 hrs after surgery, and the postoperative hospitalization time of RG were lower than those of CG (p < 0.05). VAS scores at rest and during activity and serum IL-6, IFN-γ, and Ang-II levels of both groups increased at 4 and 12 hrs after surgery, then decreased at 24 hrs after surgery. The above indicators of RG were lower than those of CG at each time point (p < 0.05). The RSSs of the two groups increased at 4, 12, and 24 hrs after surgery, then dropped at 48 hrs after surgery. The scores of RG were lower than those of CG at each time point (p < 0.05). The incidence rates of ARAR had no significant difference between RG and CG (p > 0.05). Conclusion. BT combined with DM is effective for analgesia and sedation after general anesthesia surgery in elderly patients, which can reduce inflammatory and stress responses without increasing ARAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Colonoscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, however it causes considerable discomfort in patients. Their psychological functioning is sometimes not sufficiently taken into account by the medical staff, preoccupied with somatic conditions. The aim of this study was to reveal affective and cognitive aspects of how patients undergoing colonoscopy function in order to better understand periprocedural discomfort and pain and suggest interventions to reduce them. Material and methods: A total number of 101 patients, undergoing colonoscopy during their stay at the internal ward, were asked to participate in this prospective, observational study. Three measurements were made: the day before the examination, on the colonoscopy day (after bowel cleansing, before the procedure) and the following day. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory II, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, short version of The Illness Perceptions Questionnaire, as well as analog scales (measuring pain, sadness, anxiety, irritability, general discomfort and distress) were used. Ultimately, 50 people completed the study. Results: It has been shown that pain and discomfort on the colonoscopy day correlate positively with all measured aspects of negative affect. On the colonoscopy day 18% of the subjects revealed depressive symptoms matching a depressive episode, while 56.6% of the subjects displayed a high level of state anxiety. The worse the patient's understanding of the disease, the more periprocedural pain he/she experiences. Their cognitive functioning is worse on the colonoscopy day. Conclusions: The results suggest that it is advisable to educate patients early enough (not on the day of the procedure) about their ailments and planned colonoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain is the most dreaded symptom of breast cancer that significantly affects the patient's quality of life. The aim of this article was to present non-pharmacological interventions used to effectively manage pain in breast cancer patients. This is a review article; studies were researched in the PubMed database. Using the keywords: non-pharmacological AND intervention AND pain AND breast cancer OR breast neoplasms, 6 relevant studies were selected that met the specified criteria on non-pharmacological interventions for pain relief in women with breast cancer. Yoga, acupuncture and electroacupuncture in women with breast cancer appear to be promising non-pharmacological interventions in pain reduction. Other studies on cognitive-behavioral therapy and massage therapies have similarly demonstrated significant reductions in pain in women with breast cancer, whether induced by systemic therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery. Non-pharmacological interventions have been shown to be an appropriate adjunctive alternative in the management of pain in cancer patients, but can be applied alongside standard pharmacological treatment under professional supervision to improve the patient's quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pain is one of the most common symptoms that lead people to seek medical attention. In standard medical practice, a patient's well-being depends on pain relief. There is still a need for innovative approaches to pain management, since numerous drugs currently used to manage it have significant adverse effects. Narcotic herbal remedies (e.g. THC) have gained popularity in recent years as a potential treatment with minimal negative effects and analgesic impact. Others, like morphine, are widely used in medicine, and are placed in the analgesic ladder of WHO. Cocaine derivatives are sometimes used in otolaryngologist practice. This publication aims to provide an overview of the the analgesic effect of narcotic herbal treatments in a range of situations where pain management is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caesarean section is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world. In recent years, more and more births have been completed by caesarean section. In Poland, the percentage of deliveries by this method is over 40%. Unfortunately, according to studies, up to one in five women rate the post-operative pain as 8/10 on the Visual Anologue Scale (VAS). It is important to provide the young mother with the opportunity to build a bond with her newborn from the first days of life. Therefore, pain therapy must be effective and systematic, as well as enabling safe breastfeeding. Pain therapy is already implemented preoperatively and such an action makes it possible to maintain a longer analgesic effect after caesarean section surgery. The intensity of postoperative pain often requires the supply of opioid analgesics. The most common drug is morphine. However, it should be noted that opioids administered systemically to patients are associated with a number of adverse effects. These include respiratory depression, sedation, or nausea and vomiting. The best-evaluated technique for opioid drug delivery is the use of perianal blockade, which very rarely causes respiratory depression in the neonate and also does not significantly affect maternal functioning. The supply of non-opioid analgesics effectively reduces the need for opioid use and is an excellent adjunct to a multimodal analgesia regimen after caesarean section. Intraoperative administration of dexamethasone is a popular practice. In addition to preventing nausea and vomiting, it has also been shown to have a positive effect on postoperative pain sensation. It is also worth bearing in mind the possibility of other regional anaesthetic techniques such as continuous wound infiltration or blocking the transverse abdominal muscle space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

One of the most prevalent symptoms that prompt people to seek assistance is pain. In regular medical practice, alleviating pain is essential for a patient’s well-being. Many different medications are used to control it, but many of them have major side effects, so there is still a demand for novel ways to treat pain. In recent years, herbal medicines have increasingly been seen as a promising solution with few side effects and analgesic activity. The aim of this publication is to summarise the information about the analgesic effect of non-narcotic herbal remedies in a variety of situations in which pain management is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Pain is the most common cause of complaints in hospitalized pediatric patients. Pain continues to be underestimated and undertreated in childhood. The European Society of Pediatric Anesthetists has published guidelines for pain management in children. Pain assessment. Pain assessment is very important in the treatment of pain in children. Basic pain management. Administration of basic analgesics is crucial for pain management. Paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Generally, basic or simple analgesia includes the use of paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Systemic opioids. Opioids are reserved for early postoperative and intraoperative use when adequate monitoring and specially trained personnel are available around the clock. Regional anesthesia and local anesthetics. Regional anesthesia in children has been increasingly used in recent decades, particularly against the background of multimodal analgesia. Conclusion. Basic analgesics are crucial, and opioids are added only when needed. Regional anesthesia and local anesthetics play a superior role in pain management compared to systemic analgesics in such cases in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Knowledge: International Journal is the property of Institute for Knowledge Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of physical procedures on the functional status of patients with gonarthrosis. Material and Methods. 30 patients with knee osteoarthrosis were examined (9 male patients, 21 female patients) in the prospective study. All patients were treated on an outpatient basis in the Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Novi Sad during 2022. Functional status and quality of life were assessed with use of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index questionnaire and a specific questionnaire for patients with knee osteoarthrosis. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index is a standardized questionnaire used in the assessment of osteoarthrosis of the hip and knee. The specific questionnaire for patients with osteoarthrosis of the knee joint was created by the researchers and contains: general information, a visual-analog pain scale before and after therapy, and a table that monitors the range of motion of the lower extremities during treatment. The results obtained from this kind of research were processed with use of statistical methods. Statistical significance is defined at the probability level of the alternative hypothesis from p≤0.05 to p<0.001. Results. Correlation between the treatment outcome and patients’ individual characteristics (gender, age, type of work, time diagnosis) is shown. Conclusion. All patients had positive results and improved quality of life, as well as reduced soreness, after two weeks, regardless of their individual characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The treatment of patients with lumbar disc herniation can be conservative or surgical, depending on the patient’s characteristics, the disease, and treatment possibilities. This study aims to compare the intensity of pain, the presence of Lasègue’s sign, and the degree of neurological deficits in patients with lumbar disc herniation before and after the operation. Additionally, the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration, evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging findings on the outcome will be determined. Material and Methods. A retrospective study involved 50 patients aged 18 to 45 who underwent microdiscectomy procedure. Parameters including pain intensity on the visual-analog scale, Lasègue’s nerve stretching test, sensory deficits, motor deficits, and the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration according to the Pfirrmann grading system were assessed preoperatively and in the early postoperative period. Results. Intervertebral disc herniation most commonly occurred at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels in our patients. Pain intensity significantly decreased from a preoperative score of 7.6 to 2.4 postoperatively. There was also a significant decrease in the number of patients with positive Lasègue’s sign. According to the Pfirrmann grading system, 38% of patients had mild degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc, while 62% had severe degenerative changes. Conclusion. Microdiscectomy is the gold standard in surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation. In the early postoperative period, patients experience a significant reduction in pain intensity with subsequent improvement of sensory and motor deficits. Surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation, when indicated appropriately, carries a high success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article deals with chronic fatigue, one of the characteristic features of contemporary illness narratives written by women authors. First, it focuses on Małgorzata Baranowska's To jest wasze życie. Być sobą w chorobie przewlekłej [This Is Your Life: How to Cope with a Chronic Illness], a story of her own life impaired by SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). The descriptions of her experiences (the disruption of her daily life caused by chronic pain and her attempts make sense of it) provides a frame for the reading of other narratives, Anne Boyer's The Undying and two journalistic texts on endometriosis, one by Dr Katarzyna Szopa and the other by Dr Karolina Wigura. The article defines chronic fatigue as a social condition which combines a resistance to regenerative therapies with the stress of having to act in demanding situations of real life. The precarious condition of exhausted bodies hovering between a life fully lived and a debilitating morbidity is compared with Byung-Chul Han's philosophy developed in The Burnout Society and The Palliative Society: Pain Today (originally published in German in 2010 and 2020 respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapeutic method that uses a sterile thin needle technique to puncture the skin at specific strategic points on the body. World Health Organisation has acknowledged acupuncture as a complementary treatment method for over 300 diseases. Nowadays, many available studies conducted in China, the United States, and Europe confirm the efficacy of acupuncture, its analgesic effect, while providing direct health benefits without or with minimal side-effects. There are many scientific evidence mechanisms of acupuncture’s analgesic effects. One of the mechanisms is described in the oldest and best-known Gate Control Theory which explains how pain pathways are modulated through normal anti-nociceptive pathways in the spinal cord. The second mechanism of analgesia shows that there are changes in descendent inhibition of pain pathway and secretion of neurotransmitters when the acupuncture needle is placed at the specific acupuncture point. In addition, it has been proved that there is an increased secretion of endogenous opioids during acupuncture procedures, which help reduce the pain sensations. Analgesic effects of acupuncture on cerebral function have been confirmed with use of functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scans. Although there is an increased number of relevant studies that confirm the effects and benefits of acupuncture therapy in the perioperative period, some important factors are still missing: the standardization process of acupuncture technique, the determination of types of surgery where the acupuncture method shows the best therapeutic effect, the determination of the best technique and time interval for the most effective analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delirium is a serious problem in critically ill patients. Its pathomechanism has been poorly recognized, and treatment is mainly based on clinical symptoms. This article presents a problem of delirium as well as its epidemiology, risk factors, pathomechanisms and frequently used diagnostic methods. The authors postulate to prevent delirium at the beginning of treatment including prevention of the most important risk factors. The non-pharmacological methods seem to be the best choice for treatment in critically ill patients with delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Stomatologica Croatica is the property of Acta Stomatologica Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Anodyspareunia (anal dyspareunia) is a phenomenon related to the passive side's feeling of pain or discomfort in anal sex when attempting or completely penetrating the anus. This dysfunction was first described in 1998 by Rosser's team investigating its biopsychosocial correlates in a sample of men who had sex with men. The work is theoretical in nature and is an attempt to integrate the current knowledge on the phenomenon of anodyspareunia. It presents attempts to define the phenomenon and data on its prevalence, possible reasons for its occurrence and further research directions. The analyzed studies show that although the occurrence of anodyspareunia is influenced by both physiological factors (e.g., lack of lubrication, oral or manual stimulation of the anus prior to penetration) and psychological factors, the latter seem to play a decisive role in the experience of pain. Not all people who practice anal sex report pain associated with it, which may lead to the perception of anal dyspareunia as a sexual dysfunction similar in treatment to vaginismus and vaginal dyspareunia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Children with burns are submitted to multiple painful and anxiety-related procedures during the change of wound dressing, treatment, and rehabilitation. The objective of analgesic treatments for procedural pain is the safe and efficient management of pain and emotional stress, which requires a careful, balanced, and systematic approach. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of analgesic and/or local anesthetic in relieving the intensity of procedural pain. Methods. The study included 120 pediatric patients with second-degree burns who were allocated into four groups of 30 children (control group, groups I, II, and III). During the change of wound dressings, children in the control group did not receive any analgesics, while in the remaining three groups, 30 minutes prior to the change of wound dressing, oral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (group I), local anesthetic (group II), or both medications (group III) were administered. Results. The average visual analog scale (VAS) score for assessing pain was statistically significantly higher in the control group on all tested days compared with children in the other three treated groups. On the first test day (24 hrs after sustaining the burn injuries), all children had high VAS scores, and according to the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the boundary value was 89.50/100. There was a remarkable difference in the VAS score between the groups on the fifth day of dressing change with the boundary value of 57.50/100 and on the seventh day when the boundary value was 43.50/100. Children who experienced the lowest intensity pain during dressing changes of burn wounds for all test days were those from the group who received both systemic analgesic and local anesthetic. Conclusion. The study confirmed the importance of introducing the complex polymodal protocol in treating procedural pain in seconddegree burns. The protocol should include analgesics as well as anesthetics since they both contribute to achieving the best results in pain reduction and treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Long-Term Care Nursing / Pielegniarstwo w Opiece Dlugoterminowej is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. Ankylosing spondylitis is a common, chronic musculoskeletal condition associated with substantial functional limitations. Inflammation in later phases of the disease may lead to fibrosis and calcification of the spine, causing poor quality of life. This case report emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis as one of the major factors in further course of the disease. Case report. A 27-yearold man was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2019. He was first time examined in 2005 because of joint pain which was then characterized as growing pains. Symptoms of joint pain reappeared approximately 10 years later, and were present in lumbar and thoracic spine accompanied by morning stiffness. New pain spots also appeared, as well as positive laboratory results regarding inflammation. Despite the lasting diarrhea, additional tests such as anti-smooth muscle and anti-mitochondrial antibody, Hepatitis B surface Antigen and anti-Hepatitis C virus antibody test as well as stool test results all turned out to be negative. The magnetic resonance imaging showed edema of lower edges of the lumbosacral corpus, most likely as part of spondylitis, changes to the sacroiliac joints in terms of chronic phase of sacroiliitis with discrete activity, and right shoulder active synovitis. The human lymphocyte antigen B27 testing showed positive results. Despite the prescribed medical therapy, the disease activity remained high with positive clinical presentation. This patient may be a candidate for biological therapy. Conclusion. Early diagnosis and effective treatment provide reduction of pain, fatigue and disease activity and also prevent functional limitations, therefore improving the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intensive care and reanimation unit (ICU) is a hospital ward that provides optimal care and treatment for critically ill patients. The reanimation unit is a very stressful environment for patients. Aims of the study were to evaluate and identify the pain experience of ICU patients and adequate assessment of pain. This study was conducted as a prospective, observational study involving 121 patients treated in the Reanimation Department, Emergency Center, Clinical Center of Vojvodina. All the examined patients over 18 years of age hospitalized in this Department who met inclusion criteria were interviewed at the bedside. Data were collected by using the questionnaire filled in by a doctor during their conversation with a patient. Thirty-two point two percent of patients were hospitalized from 3 to 7 days, the same percentage of patients were hospitalized for more than 7 days, while 21.5% were hospitalized 1-3 days and 14.1% for one day. Sixty-one point eight percent of the patients reported inability of speech, 14.5% of patients stated their inability of speech and not knowing who to refer to as a problem. Sixty-four point four six percent of patients received analgesic therapy soon after complaining of pain, while 4.13% of patients reported not having analgesics after complaining of pain. Eighty-four point one percent of patients received therapy intravenously. Fifty-six percent of patients answered positively and 3.5% of patients were not satisfied with prescribed analgesics. Fifty-five point three seven percent of patients had the strongest daytime pain. Many factors contributed to increased pain intensity: the extent of performed surgical treatment, surgical wound, injuries and fractures, numerous medical procedures, prolonged immobility in bed and back pain as a consequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Patients in developing countries do not always receive adequate pain-relieving treatment. Monitoring analgesics consumption is of great importance since this can help assess the quality of painful condition management. The aim of this paper was to present a five-year consumption and costs of drugs with analgesic effects in developing countries, exemplified by Serbia and Montenegro, and indicate the main reasons for their (in)adequate prescribing. Methods. The observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in order to analyze the consumption of all analgesics, both opioid and non-opioid, in Serbia and Montenegro, as developing countries. The data concerning analgesic consumption and drug prices were obtained from annual editions of the publications of the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia and Montenegro. The World Health Organization methodology with defined daily dose (DDD) as a unit of measure (defined by the number of DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day) was used in these publications. Results. Over the course of five years (from 2015 to 2019) in Serbia, the total allocations for analgesic therapy had a rising trend, from about 43.6 million to 63.3 million euros, while in Montenegro, expenditures showed annual variations with the highest value in 2018. Most of the money in both countries was invested in the M01A group of drugs, for which the highest consumption was also recorded. Significantly higher consumption of opioid analgesics in Montenegro compared with Serbia was observed in the same period, and it predominantly reflected the difference in fentanyl (N02AB03, transdermal patch) prescribing. In Montenegro, consumption of the M01AB group of drugs was prominently higher in comparison to the M01AE drugs group during the whole five-year period, like in Serbia, in which this was not the case just in 2018. Conclusion. Taking into account the importance of analgesics for everyday medical practice, more rational prescribing of these drugs is necessary both in Serbia and Montenegro in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Health Bulletin / Zdravstveni Glasnik is the property of Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Croatica is the property of Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background/Aim. Among the various factors that can influence continued postoperative back pain and/or leg pain, and functional disability after lumbar microdiscectomy are gender, depression, and pessimism. The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between these factors. Methods. The research was conducted after microdiscectomy on 198 patients (95 men and 103 women), with a mean age of 50.20 ± 10.26 years. The following questionnaires were used for examinations: for assessment of pain and its intensity and character - PainDETECT Test; for functional disability - Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire; for the presence and degree of depression - Beck Depression Inventory-II; and questionnaire for the assessment of personal expectations (pessimistic/optimistic) about the treatment results. These assessments were carried out after microdiscectomy - just before rehabilitation treatment, one month later, and then 3 and 6 months after a microdiscectomy. Results. Depression (p < 0.01) and pessimism (p < 0.01) had significant negative influences on the pain and functional disability. The subjective sensation of pain was significantly higher in women than in men (p < 0.01), while men had a greater degree of functional disability (p < 0.01) than women. Conclusion. Pain and functional disability of the patients after lumbar microdiscectomy are significantly interconnected with gender, depression, and pessimism. The sensation of pain was higher in women, while men had a greater degree of functional disability. Globally, the intensity of pain and functional disability were significantly greater in patients with a higher degree of depression and pessimism, and, by registering mentioned factors, it is possible to predict the postoperative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medical Rehabilitation / Rehabilitacja Medyczna is the property of Medical Rehabilitation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Health Bulletin / Zdravstveni Glasnik is the property of Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background:Young adults complain of neck pain almost every year. In recent years the ability of motor imagery (kinesthetic and visual imagery) in many musculoskeletal system problems other than neck pain in young adults has been investigated in the literature. The Cross-Sectional study aimed to question motor imagery ability in young adults with chronic neck pain. Methods: Two groups were included in the study: the chronic neck pain group (n = 83) and the control group (n = 91). Motor imagery ability of both groups was evaluated with Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3. Additionally, in the chronic neck pain group, pain was evaluated with the Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire, disability was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index, and kinesiophobia was evaluated with Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Conclusions: Internal visual imagery and kinesthetic imagery were significantly different between chronic neck pain and control groups. There was a negative linear relationship between disability and internal visual imagery, external visual imagery, and kinesthetic imagery. Motor imagery ability is reduced in young adults with chronic neck pain. In addition, as the severity of disability increases, the motor imagery ability decreases. Therefore, it is considered appropriate to include a motor imagery training program when treating chronic neck pain in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Root canal treatment (RCT) is one of the most common endodontic procedures for which patients visit the dentist. Patient's knowledge, awareness, and attitude regarding root canal treatment are an interesting problem in everyday dentistry. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and attitude of patients coming for endodontic treatment. Methods. Questionnaire surveys were carried out in a group of 209 patients, including queries characterizing their knowledge, awareness, and attitude towards the RCT - their experiences, expectations, potential problems, and management expenses. Results. Exploring the knowledge of individuals concerning RCT, it was noticed that 51% of the surveyed patients in the past had experienced endodontics treatment. Fifty-two percent of participants reported that they knew the charges of the RCT, and 50% of them said that the price was sufficient for the difficulty of the process. The study confirmed that 47% of the participants still prefer specialists to perform the RCT. Conclusion. An enhancement of knowledge and awareness of people about the RCT has been observed, as well as a need of providing more information to patients about endodontics and the benefits of saving teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: Vasectomy is considered to be the simplest and most effective method of contraception for men. Despite the preoperative consultation and access to all the information about having a vasectomy, the fear of pain may be one of the reasons for resignation from the procedure. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a group of 200 patients undergoing total vasectomy, using the nonscalpel vasectomy technique, with needle-free local anaesthesia, at the Family Planning Centre. The research used convenience sampling, meaning that only available patients were included in the study. After the patients were made aware of the research objective, they gave their informed consent to participate in the study. Using a visual analogue pain rating scale (VAS), patients were asked to rate their predicted pain intensity before surgery and then to rate their actual pain intensity after surgery. Results: The mean score of predicted pain intensity during the vasectomy procedure in the study group was 3.60, while pain intensity during the procedure was 2.10. Analysis showed that 83% of the men rated the pain intensity experienced during the procedure as less than or exactly the same as the pain intensity predicted before the procedure. Conclusions: The actual pain experienced by the patient during the vasectomy procedure is significantly lower than that predicted before the procedure. This research provides helpful information for pre-surgery counselling, so that, of all the factors preventing men from making the decision to have a vasectomy, fear of pain is not one of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medical Rehabilitation / Rehabilitacja Medyczna is the property of Medical Rehabilitation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative rheumatic disease of the peripheral joints. It mostly affects one joint, usually the hip and knee joints, as well as the distal interphalangeal joints of the wrist and thumb carpometacarpal joint. The clinical symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, crepitus, muscle atrophy, subluxation, as well as reduced joint mobility, greatly affecting the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis and determine whether there is a difference in the quality of life of patients with unilateral and patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Material and Methods. The study was designed as a retrospective study including 60 patients, 30 patients with unilateral gonarthrosis and 30 patients with bilateral gonarthrosis. The EuroQoL five dimensions questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. Results. There is no statistically significant difference in the quality of life between individuals with unilateral and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, but there is a significant positive correlation between the pain intensity and difficulties in the domains of quality of life. Conclusion. People with osteoarthritis of the knee mostly take painkillers and have a good or excellent response to therapy. There is no statistically significant difference in the quality of life among people with unilateral and bilateral knee osteoarthritis. There is a significant positive correlation between the pain intensity and difficulties in the domains of quality of life. There is a significant negative correlation between the perception of general health and all five domains of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Stomatologica Croatica is the property of Acta Stomatologica Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pain Research / Ból is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Sports Science & Health / Sportske Nauke i Zdravlje is the property of Pan-European University Apeiron and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Yearbook of the Faculty of Political Sciences / Godisnjak Fakultet Politickih Nauka Beograd is the property of University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)