Validation of the Dutch version of the DN4 diagnostic questionnaire for neuropathic pain.

Difficulties in diagnosing neuropathic pain in routine clinical practice support the need for validated and easy-to-use diagnostic tools. The DN4 neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire aims to discriminate neuropathic pain from nociceptive pain, but needs clinical validation. A total of 269 patients with chronic pain in three pain clinics were included in the study of which 248 had analyzable data.

Relationships between changes in pain severity and other patient-reported outcomes: an analysis in patients with posttraumatic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Background: The objective of this study is to use the pain numeric rating scale (NRS) to evaluate associations between change in pain severity and changes in sleep, function, and mood assessed via patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with posttraumatic pain.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a clinical trial evaluating pregabalin in patients with posttraumatic peripheral neuropathic pain (N = 254). Regression models were used to determine associations between changes in pain (0-10 NRS) as the predictor and scores on the following PRO measures as the outcome: Pain Interference Index; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety and depression subscales; Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale 9-item Sleep Problems Index and Sleep Disturbance subscale; and Daily Sleep Interference Scale (0-10 NRS).

The effect of pregabalin on pain-related sleep interference in diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia: a review of nine clinical trials.

Objective: Postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy are common chronic neuropathic pain conditions associated with sleep disturbances. Pregabalin is indicated in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The objective of this review is to summarize the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia and the effect of pregabalin on sleep interference in these patients.

Continuous positive airway pressure breathing increases cranial spread of sensory blockade after cervicothoracic epidural injection of lidocaine.

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) increases the caudad spread of sensory blockade after low-thoracic epidural injection of lidocaine. We hypothesized that CPAP would increase cephalad spread of blockade after cervicothoracic epidural injection.

Methods: Twenty patients with an epidural catheter at the C6-7 or C7-T1 interspace received an epidural dose of lidocaine while breathing at ambient pressure (control group), or while breathing with 7.

Efficacy and tolerability of twice-daily pregabalin for treating pain and related sleep interference in postherpetic neuralgia: a 13-week, randomized trial.

Objective: This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of pregabalin dosed twice daily (BID) for relief of neuro-pathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Research Design And Methods: The 13-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomized 370 patients with PHN to pregabalin (150, 300, or 600 mg/day BID) or placebo.

Main Outcome Measures: Primary efficacy measure was endpoint mean pain score from daily pain diaries.

A cross-sectional survey of health state impairment and treatment patterns in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) develops in 8-24% of patients with herpes zoster. Few studies have evaluated the patient burden and treatment of PHN in general practice.

Objectives: To determine the patient burden of PHN with respect to pain intensity and impact on patient functioning and to characterise treatment patterns and health resource utilisation in general practice.