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Background/Objectives: Although increased nociceptive excitability and deficient endogenous pain modulation are considered key features of pronociception and central sensitization, their contribution to neuropathic pain (NP) characteristics in SCI is unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize tonic cold perception and endogenous pain modulation in individuals with and without SCI-NP, considering the stage and severity of SCI and, secondarily, NP phenotype. Methods: Temporal summation of pain (TSP) and neuropathic features were assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Douleur Neuropathique 4 screening questionnaire (DN4) during the tonic cold pressor test (CPT, 12 °C 60 s) applied to the dominant hand and foot. CPT-induced pronociception was assessed as change in algometer pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) measured at the V2, C6, and L4 dermatomes. Results: A total of 72 individuals were recruited (age-sex-matched noninjured, n = 24; SCI-NP, n = 24; SCI-noNP, n = 24 [AIS A: n = 12, AIS B-D: n = 12; subacute SCI: n = 12, chronic SCI: n = 12]). TSP in response to the foot CPT was higher in subacute compared to chronic incomplete SCI-NP, while TSP to the hand CPT was significantly higher in chronic compared to the subacute complete SCI-NP group. Evoked pain intensity during the hand CPT correlated with duration of below-level SCI-NP. The hand CPT induced widespread pronociception (lower PPT), which correlated with 7-day non-evoked (spontaneous) pain intensity in individuals with incomplete SCI-NP. Individuals with below-level NP, but not at-level NP, showed higher TSP during the foot CPT and greater hand CPT-induced L4 dermatome pronociception. Conclusions: Collectively, measurements of above and below-level temporal summation of pain and translesional-induced pronociception in the SCI-NP group highlight the role of these mechanisms in widespread central sensitization, spontaneous pain intensity, and spinothalamic tract hyperexcitability, especially in individuals diagnosed with below-level NP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to investigate association between peri-implant maintenance therapy (PIMT) and the frequency of peri-implant diseases and to further identify factors that contribute to failure of PIMT compliance.Methods: A cross-sectional study on patients who were healthy and partially edentulous was conducted. They were grouped in the following categories according to PIMT compliance: 1) regular compliers (RC) (≥2 PIMT/year); 2) erratic compliers (EC) (<2 PIMT/year); and 3) non-compliers (NC) (no PIMT). Radiographic and clinical analyses were carried out including probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), mucosal redness (MR), suppuration (SUP), keratinized mucosa dimension, and marginal bone loss. A multiple logistic regression model was estimated at implant and patient level to obtain adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and to control possible confounding effects among variables.Results: Overall, 206 implants in 115 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. At patient level, it was shown that association between compliance and peri-implant condition was statistically significant (P = 0.04). Compliance was associated with 86% fewer conditions of peri-implantitis. The probability of PIMT compliance was substantially associated with frequency of peri-implantitis (OR = 0.13, P = 0.01). Patients with a history of periodontal disease multiplied their probability of being EC (versus NC) 4.23 times with respect to not having a history of periodontal disease (P = 0.02). Moreover, light smokers significantly resulted to be NC compared with RC (P = 0.04) and EC (P = 0.02). Nevertheless, mucositis was not found to be statistically associated with level of compliance. In addition, PD, PI, BOP, MR, and SUP varied significantly according to PIMT compliance and peri-implant condition.Conclusions: Peri-implant maintenance compliance ≥2 PIMT/year seems to be crucial to prevent peri-implantitis in healthy patients. Furthermore, history of periodontal disease and disease severity, as well as its extent and a smoking habit, appear to be factors that influence the compliance risk profile (NCT02789306). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]