Metformin and fibromyalgia pathophysiology: current insights and promising future therapeutic strategies.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive disturbances. Despite its prevalence, the pathophysiology of FM remains poorly understood, with current treatments often providing limited relief. Recent studies have suggested that metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, may have potential therapeutic benefits for chronic pain conditions, including FM.

Female Pelvic Conditions: Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a likely underdiagnosed chronic pain syndrome consisting of pelvic pain lasting longer than 6 weeks plus lower urinary tract symptoms in the absence of infection or other identifiable cause. It is more common after 40 years of age. The etiology is unclear, but some patients have inflammatory findings in the bladder known as Hunner lesions.

[Effects of overweight and obesity on symptoms, overall condition and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome].

Objective: To explore the effects of overweight and obesity (overweight/obesity) on symptom severity and quality of life in Chinese patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect general data on height, weight, gender and age of 435 FMS patients who visited the rheumatology clinic of Guang 'anmen Hospital from October 2018 to December 2021. The numbers of tender points, widespread pain index and symptom severity scale were used as diagnostic indicators of the disease.

[Control of neuropathic pain in lumbosacral dorsalgia].

The literature sources devoted to the problem of the formation of neuropathic pain in lumbosacral dorsalgia and the effective treatment regimens used are analyzed. The clinical and pathogenetic justification of the appointment of complex drug treatment is presented, taking into account the most significant causes of acute and chronic nonspecific back pain - radicular, facet, musculotonic syndromes. It has been shown that the most effective drugs are antiepileptic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants of central prologued action.

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Managing Pain: A Scoping Review.

Objectives: To examine the pain conditions that have been studied using transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), the various methods and dosage configurations used, as well as identify current gaps in the literature.

Design: Scoping review with the literature search and reporting guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement-extension for scoping reviews.

Review Methods: A systematic search was conducted across four databases-Pubmed/Medline (n = 24), PsycInfo (n = 218), CINAHL (n = 114), and Scopus (n = 52)-comprising a total of 408 publications from peer-reviewed journals.

A Second Opinion: Expert Commentary on "Persistent Mild Increase of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in a Male Patient with Testicular Pain".

Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) of unknown etiology is often a diagnostic dilemma. Determination of its source is vital in order to provide proper medical treatment and prevent possible unneeded therapeutic interventions. The differential diagnosis for elevated hCG is broad and includes pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, heterophile antibody, macro-hCG, exogenous hCG administration, pituitary secretion, tumor-associated secretion, etc.

Pain determinants and quality of life in Guillain-Barre syndrome: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Pain is a serious manifestation in both the acute and chronic stages of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). We evaluated the frequency, characteristics and associated factors of pain and its impact on quality of life (QoL) among patients with GBS.

Methods: We enrolled 644 patients with GBS from prospective cohort studies in Bangladesh conducted between 2010 and 2024.

An appraisal and comparative analysis of superb microvascular imaging with conventional ultrasound and MRI for greater trochanteric pain syndrome management.

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common cause of hip pain and is often associated with chronic lower back pain and lower extremity osteoarthritis. Its diagnosis is clinical; however, imaging has been shown to aid in the differential diagnosis of challenging cases. Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) is a new technique that may be more effective than power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) in the detection of inflammation-related vascularity in patients.

Immediate effects of Kinesio taping on pain, proprioception, and posture in round shoulder individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomized, double-blinded controlled trial.

Background: Round shoulder posture (RSP), characterized by forward shoulder positioning from weakened and tense muscles, disrupts normal biomechanics and can cause Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), resulting in pain during specific movements or positions. This study examines the immediate effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on pain, proprioception, and posture in individuals in round shoulder individuals with SIS.

Methods: The study involved 114 patients diagnosed with RSP and SIS.

Does Muscle Pain Induce Alterations in the Pelvic Floor Motor Unit Activity Properties in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome? A High-Density sEMG-Based Study.

Several studies have shown interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a chronic condition that poses challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, is associated with painful pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and altered neural drive to these muscles. However, its pathophysiology could also involve other alterations in the electrical activity of PFM motor units (MUs). Studying these alterations could provide novel insights into IC/BPS and help its clinical management.

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study assessed Transcutaneous Pulse Radiofrequency Therapy's (TCPRF) effectiveness in reducing shoulder pain and improving shoulder function. A double-blind randomized controlled trial involved 50 SAIS patients with chronic shoulder pain. Participants were randomized into two groups: the study group (n = 27) received TCPRF, while the control (n = 23) received sham treatment.

How Does Conditioned Pain Modulation Influence Motor Imagery Processes in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome? A Cross-Sectional Study Secondary Analysis.

: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a multifactorial pain syndrome not only characterized by widespread pain as the primary symptom but also accompanied by physical, psychological, and cognitive manifestations. Impairments in conditioned pain modulation (CPM) are common in this population; however, there is significant heterogeneity in the CPM response among women with FMS. The Left/Right Judgment Task (LRJT) is a validated method for studying motor imagery in chronic pain patients.

Association Between Temporomandibular Disorders and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Scoping Review.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) encompass various clinical conditions associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masticatory muscles. TMD symptoms include pain in the orofacial region, restricted or altered mandibular movement, and sounds associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This condition adversely affects quality of life, social functioning, and daily activities, and may also contribute to widespread pain syndromes and comorbidities, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Clinical Characteristics of Persistent Hypophosphatasemia Uncovered in Adult Patients: A Retrospective Study at a Japanese Tertiary Hospital.

Hypophosphatasemia is often overlooked despite its potential to indicate underlying pathologies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of persistent hypophosphatasemia in a large, urban, multi-specialty hospital population and characterize the clinical and laboratory findings in adult patients with this condition. In this retrospective observational study, the results of 424,434 alkaline phosphatase (ALP) tests in 50,136 patients aged ≥18 years that were performed at Okayama University Hospital between July 2020 and October 2023 were analyzed.

The Evil Twins of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome and Endometriosis.

Background: Chronic pelvic pain is a debilitating condition affecting quality of life. Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of CPP, but recent studies highlighted the role of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/PBS) in causing CPP. Only some studies addressed the coexistence of these two conditions, which seems more frequent than what is supposed, leading to diagnostic delays and unnecessary surgeries.

Self-Perception of Physical Problems in Patients with Non-Vascular Type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Qualitative Study.

Background/objectives: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is associated with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including chronic pain, severe fatigue, and a range of physical and psychological complications. This study aims to identify, in patients with non-vascular type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the most common physical symptoms, the impact of these symptoms on daily life, and individuals' perceptions of their health.

The Mechanism of Relieving Diarrheal Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using Polyphenols from L. Based on a Network Pharmacology Analysis and 16S rRNA Sequencing.

Diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a chronic bowel condition that leads to intestinal dysfunction and is typically accompanied by diarrhea, stomach pain, and abdominal distension. L. polyphenols (RNPs), which are natural plant polyphenols, are the subject of this study, which aims to assess their potential in improving IBS-D and to explore the underlying mechanisms through a network pharmacology analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing.

Perceived and endocrine acute and chronic stress indicators in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and tenderness and closely associated with high levels of stress. FMS is therefore often considered a stress-related disease. A comparative study was conducted with 99 individuals diagnosed with FMS and a control group of 50 pain-free individuals.

Effects of high and low level lasers on soreness following dry needling in patients with chronic myofascial neck pain. A randomized-controlled trial.

This research was designed to study effects of high versus low-level laser therapy (HILT and LLLT) on post-dry needling soreness (PNS) at patients with chronic neck pain. We also studied effects of HLLT or LLLT application plus dry needling (DN) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) at the identified patients. This is a clinical trial in 48 women with chronic neck pain aged 18-35 who were divided into three groups: HLLT, LLLT, and placebo group.

[Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: functional impairments of critical illness survivors].

With a decrease in mortality of critically ill patients in recent years, intensive care medicine research has shifted its focus on functional impairments of intensive care units (ICU) survivors. ICU survivorship is characterized by long-term impairments of cognition, mental health, and physical health. Since 2012, these impairments have been summarized with the umbrella term Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS).

Altered blood and keratinocyte microRNA/transfer RNA fragment profiles related to fibromyalgia syndrome and its severity.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a debilitating widespread chronic pain condition of unclear pathophysiology. We studied small noncoding RNAs as potential classifiers and mediators of FMS. Blood and keratinocyte microRNAs (miRs) and transfer RNA fragments (tRFs) were profiled by small RNA-sequencing within a comprehensively phenotyped female cohort of 53 patients with FMS vs 34 healthy controls (hCOs) and 15 patients with major depression and chronic physical pain (disease controls).

Does transforaminal epidural steroid injection added to dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment increase efficacy?

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and DRG PRF plus transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with chronic lumbosacral radicular pain.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-one patients (39 males, 42 females; mean age: 57.5±11.

The Effect of Hybrid Blood Purification Combined with Ulinastatin for the Treatment of Severe Sepsis on APACHE II Score and Levels of miR-146a and miR-155.

Background: Severe sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection, and the Acute Physiological Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scoring system is widely used to assess the severity of severe patients. Hybrid blood purification treatment (HBPT) and ulinastatin (UTI) have shown good efficacy in a variety of inflammatory diseases, and miR-146a and miR-155 were found to be closely related to inflammatory reaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of HBPT combined with UTI in the treatment of patients with severe sepsis, especially the effects on APACHE II score and miR-146a and miR-155 levels.