Analysis of acid-base disorders in an ICU cohort using a computer script.

Background/aims: Acid-base status is important for understanding pathophysiology, making a diagnosis, planning effective treatment and monitoring progress of critically ill patients. Manual calculations are cumbersome, easily result in wrong conclusions. We wanted to develop an automated assessment of acid-base status.

Central nervous system monoaminergic activity in hip osteoarthritis patients with disabling pain: associations with pain severity and central sensitization.

Introduction: Monoaminergic activity modulates nociceptive transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Although pain is the most disabling symptom of osteoarthritis (OA), limited knowledge exists regarding the CNS mechanisms that amplify pain and drive sensitization processes in humans.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to evaluate associations between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monoamine metabolites, pain severity, and central sensitization in patients with OA undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Decreased pain sensitivity and alterations of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma inflammatory mediators after total hip arthroplasty in patients with disabling osteoarthritis.

Background: Proinflammatory mechanisms are implicated in pain states. Recent research indicates that patients with osteoarthritis (OA) with signs of central sensitization exhibit elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), Fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1).

Methods: The current prospective cohort study, including 15 patients with OA, primarily aimed to evaluate associations among alterations in CSF IP-10, Flt-1, MCP-1, and pain sensitization following total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Preoperative sleep quality and adverse pain outcomes after total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Sleep disturbance is thought to aggravate acute postoperative pain. The influence of preoperative sleep problems on pain control in the long-term and development of chronic postsurgical pain is largely unknown.

Methods: This prospective, observational study aimed to examine the links between preoperative sleep disturbance (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and pain severity (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI) 6 months postoperative (primary outcome), objective measures of pain and postoperative pain control variables (secondary outcomes).

Mathematical modelling of post-filter ionized calcium during citrate anticoagulated continuous renal replacement therapy.

Background/aims: Post-filter ionized calcium (iCa) measured on a blood gas analyzer (BGA) during regional citrate anticoagulated continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are needed to control the regime. This increases the workload and requires attention including interpretation of blood analyses. Two algorithms were developed to calculate the post-filter iCa instead.