Comparison of stratification techniques for optimal management of patients with chronic low back pain in spine clinics.

Background Context: Identifying optimal stratification techniques for subgrouping patients with low back pain (LBP) into treatment groups for the purpose of identifying optimal management and improving clinical outcomes is an important area for further research.

Purpose: Our study aimed to compare performance of the STarT Back Tool (SBT) and 3 stratification techniques involving PROMIS domain scores for use in patients presenting to a spine clinic for chronic LBP.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Stratification of spine patients based on self-reported clinical symptom classes: Evaluation of long-term outcomes and subsequent interventions.

Background: Prior work by our group developed a stratification tool based on four PROMIS domains for patients with low back pain (LBP). Our study aimed to evaluate the ability of our previously developed symptom classes to predict long-term outcomes, and determine whether there were differential treatment effects by intervention.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with LBP seen in spine clinics in a large health system between November 14, 2018 and May 14, 2019 who completed patient-reported outcomes as part of routine care at baseline and again at 12-months follow-up.

Transforming Standard of Care for Spine Surgery: Integration of an Online Single-Session Behavioral Pain Management Class for Perioperative Optimization.

Estimates suggest that 10-40% of lumbar spine surgery patients experience persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP). PPSP is associated with 50% greater healthcare costs, along with risks of emotional distress and impaired quality of life. In 2019, U.

Stratification of spine patients based on self-reported clinical symptom classes.

Background Context: Improving prognostic stratification for patients with low back pain (LBP) outside of a primary care setting has been identified as an important area for further research.

Purpose: Our study aimed to identify clinical symptom classes of patients presenting to a spine clinic based on 4 Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domains and evaluate demographic and clinical differences across classes.

Study Design: An observational cross-sectional study of patients seen in spine centers at a large health system.

Comparative Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Pain Program for Chronic Low Back Pain, Compared to Physical Therapy Alone.

Study Design: This is an observational cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of PT to an interdisciplinary treatment approach in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Summary Of Background Data: CLBP is a costly and potentially disabling condition.

The Impact of Preoperative Chronic Opioid Therapy in Patients Undergoing Decompression Laminectomy of the Lumbar Spine.

Study Design: Retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMR).

Objective: This study aims to (1) characterize the pattern of opioid utilization in patients undergoing spine surgery and (2) compare the postoperative course between patients with and without chronic preoperative opioid prescriptions.

Summary Of Background Data: Postoperative pain management for patients with a history of opioid usage remains a challenge for spine surgeons.

Validation of PROMIS CATs and PROMIS Global Health in an Interdisciplinary Pain Program for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To (1) confirm validity of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function and pain interference computer-adaptive tests (CATs) and (2) assess the validity of PROMIS Global Health (GH) and five additional PROMIS CATs: social role satisfaction, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance in a population of patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) who completed a 3-month Interdisciplinary Pain Program (IPP).

Summary Of Background Data: Recent recommendations for assessing outcomes in patients with cLBP have included PROMIS scales; however, there is a need for further evaluation, and PROMIS GH has not been studied in this population.

The psychosocial burden of psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: To assess the psychosocial impact of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), describe how health-related quality of life (QoL) is affected in patients with PsA, discuss measures used to evaluate the psychosocial impact of PsA, and review studies examining the effect of therapy on QoL.

Methods: A targeted review on the impact of PsA on QoL and the role of tailored psychosocial management in reducing the psychosocial burden of the disease was performed. PubMed literature searches were conducted using the terms PsA, psychosocial burden, QoL, and mood/behavioral changes.

Pain Psychology: A Global Needs Assessment and National Call to Action.

Objective: The Institute of Medicine and the draft National Pain Strategy recently called for better training for health care clinicians. This was the first high-level needs assessment for pain psychology services and resources in the United States.

Design: Prospective, observational, cross-sectional.

A multilevel path model analysis of the relations between sleep, pain, and pain catastrophizing in chronic pain rehabilitation patients.

Background And Aim: Pain catastrophizing is linked to heightened pain and poorer coping among individuals with chronic pain, yet little is known about how pain catastrophizing associates with sleep and pain over the course of treatment for chronic pain. Previous research employing a cross-sectional design suggests that sleep mediates the association between pain catstrophizing and pain, but there have been no longitudinal studies examining the directionality of these associations. Thus, the aim of this study was to test two competing theoretical models.

Chronic pain rehabilitation.

The article discusses chronic pain rehabilitation and describes its components and some of the core operating principles. Outcomes in chronic pain are best when multiple treatment strategies with a focus on functional restoration are employed, and this is often best done in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program.

Variability in the relationship between sleep and pain in patients undergoing interdisciplinary rehabilitation for chronic pain.

Objective: Chronic pain and sleep disturbance frequently coexist and often complicate the course of treatment. Despite the well-established comorbidity, there are no studies that have investigated concurrent changes in sleep and pain among patients participating in an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program (ICPRP). The goal of this study was to investigate the daily changes in sleep and pain among patients participating in an ICPRP.

The role of exercise and types of exercise in the rehabilitation of chronic pain: specific or nonspecific benefits.

Chronic pain is one of the most common complaints seen in general practitioners' offices, and it contributes to social, emotional, physical, and economical losses. The management of this problem poses challenges for health care providers when the current treatment of choice for chronic pain is pharmacological management, which may not be a sufficient and/or holistic approach to the management of chronic pain. Our goal is to increase awareness of the significance of physical activity, as well as examine additional cost-effective, integrated approaches to help manage the complex and debilitating effects of this condition.

Comprehensive review of obesity and psychological considerations for treatment.

Although obesity is considered to be a medical condition, psychosocial variables influence its development, course, and treatment. To date, obesity research focuses heavily on the associated physical problems and the identification of effective treatments. While an array of behavioral, pharmacological and surgical treatments has been developed, their ability to demonstrate long-term weight losses is not convincing.