'Omics' biomarkers associated with chronic low back pain: protocol of a retrospective longitudinal study.

Introduction: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) produces considerable direct costs as well as indirect burdens for society, industry and health systems. CLBP is characterised by heterogeneity, inclusion of several pain syndromes, different underlying molecular pathologies and interaction with psychosocial factors that leads to a range of clinical manifestations. There is still much to understand in the underlying pathological processes and the non-psychosocial factors which account for differences in outcomes.

Ultrasound-Guided Approach for L5 Dorsal Ramus Block and Fluoroscopic Evaluation in Unpreselected Cadavers.

Background And Objectives: Medial branch blocks are frequently performed to diagnose lumbar facet-joint-mediated pain. Ultrasound guidance can increase practicability and eliminate exposure to ionizing radiation when compared with fluoroscopy. However, ultrasound-guided L5 dorsal ramus block, which, together with L4 medial branch block is necessary to anesthetize the most commonly affected facet joint L5/S1, has not been described so far.

Pharmacokinetic considerations for therapies used to treat interstitial cystitis.

Introduction: Interstitial cystitis (IC) or bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is defined as supra-pubic pain related to bladder filling. IC is characterized by a particular symptom complex with no identifiable causes; as with bladder hypersensitivity it is usually associated with urinary frequency and urgency with bladder pain. No current treatments have a significant impact on symptoms over time.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of morphine and its metabolites during morphine dose titration for chronic cancer pain.

Background: Pain is one of the most prevalent and distressing symptoms in patients with cancer. There is evidence from observational studies that many patients do not get adequate relief. Although data in the literature confirm the effectiveness of most opioid drugs for the treatment of chronic pain, there is limited information about opioid titration.

Population-based study of central post-stroke pain in Rimini district, Italy.

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is still an underestimated complication of stroke, resulting in impaired quality of life and, in addition to the functional and cognitive consequences of stroke, the presence of CPSP may be associated with mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. This type of pain may also impair activities of daily living and further worsen quality of life, negatively influencing the rehabilitation process. The prevalence of CSPS in the literature is highly variable (1%-12%) according to different studies, and this variability could be influenced by selection criteria and the different ethnic populations being investigated.

Genetic variability at COMT but not at OPRM1 and UGT2B7 loci modulates morphine analgesic response in acute postoperative pain.

Purpose: To investigate interindividual variability in response to pain treatment, we characterized postoperative patients for morphine metabolism and for COMT, OPRM1 and UGT2B7 polymorphisms.

Methods: A total of 109 patients treated with morphine were genotyped by DNA sequencing for 12 DNA polymorphisms of the COMT, OPRM1 and UGT2B7 genes. The plasma concentration of morphine and of M3G/M6G metabolites were evaluated by means of reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Morphine metabolism, transport and brain disposition.

The chemical structures of morphine and its metabolites are closely related to the clinical effects of drugs (analgesia and side-effects) and to their capability to cross the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). Morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) and Morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) are both highly hydrophilic, but only M6G can penetrate the BBB; accordingly, M6G is considered a more attractive analgesic than the parent drug and the M3G. Several hypotheses have been made to explain these differences.