Seasonal impact on the outcome of multidisciplinary pain therapy.

Multidisciplinary pain treatment programs (MPTP) have been considered to be the most effective treatment of chronic pain. In this study, we analyzed the influence of seasons on the outcome of chronic pain patients undergoing MPTP. Therefore, a prospective, observational trial was conducted in patients with chronic pain undergoing a 5-week interdisciplinary treatment program.

Personality disorders and outcome after multidisciplinary pain therapy.

Objectives: Interdisciplinary treatment programmes are the gold standard for patients suffering from chronic pain. However, several patient-related factors seem to influence the patients' outcome. The aim of our study was to inquire whether patients with personality disorders (PD) might benefit less from an interdisciplinary treatment programme compared to patients without PD.

[Diffuse fasciitis after Borrelia infection--a case report].

Diffuse fasciitis (DF) [diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia-Shulman's syndrome] has occasionally been linked to a precedent infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Here, we report on another case of DF in a 25 year old male, in whom Borrelia burgdorferi infection as possible inciting agent could be identified based on the patient's history and laboratory data. Efforts to microscopically demonstrate spirochetes or to amplify Borrelia-DNA by nested PCR in lesional tissue failed after antibiotic treatment had already been initiated.

Pediatric equestrian injuries: assessing the impact of helmet use.

Objective: To assess the impact of helmet use on the pattern, and severity of pediatric equestrian injuries.

Design: A prospective observational study of all children less than 15 years of age who were brought to the University of Virginia children's Emergency Department with horse-related injuries.

Results: During the two-year period of the study, 32 children were evaluated.