Lamotrigine reduces painful diabetic neuropathy: a randomized, controlled study

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of lamotrigine in relieving the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: The authors randomly assigned 59 patients to receive either lamotrigine (titrated from 25 to 400 mg/day) or placebo over a 6-week period. Primary outcome measure was self-recording of pain intensity twice daily with a 0 to 10 numerical pain scale (NPS). Secondary efficacy measures included daily consumption of rescue analgesics, the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Pain Disability Index (PDI), and global assessment of efficacy and tolerability. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 29 patients (83%) receiving lamotrigine and 22 of 30 (73%) patients receiving placebo completed the study. Daily NPS in the lamotrigine-treated group was reduced from 6.4 +/- 0.1 to 4.2 +/- 0.1 and in the control group from 6.5 +/- 0.1 to 5.3 +/- 0.1 (p < 0.001 for lamotrigine doses of 200, 300, and 400 mg). The results of the MPQ, PDI, and BDI remained unchanged in both groups. The global assessment of efficacy favored lamotrigine treatment over placebo, and the adverse events profile was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lamotrigine is effective and safe in relieving the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.     

Effects of lamotrigine compared with levetiracetam on anger, hostility, and total mood in patients with partial epilepsy

Purpose:   To assess anger/hostility during treatment with lamotrigine adjunctive therapy versus levetiracetam adjunctive therapy in patients with partial seizures.
Methods:   This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study in adults with partial seizures included an 8-week escalation phase, during which adjunctive lamotrigine (n = 132) or adjunctive levetiracetam (n = 136) was titrated to a target dose, and a 12-week, double-blind maintenance phase, during which dosages of study medication and concomitant antiepileptic drugs were maintained. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to the end of the maintenance phase (week 20) in the Anger-Hostility subscale score of the Profile of Mood States (POMS).
Results:   Improvement with lamotrigine relative to levetiracetam was observed for mean ± SD (standard deviation) change from baseline to the end of the maintenance phase (week 20) on the Anger-Hostility subscale (lamotrigine −2.0 ± 8.2, levetiracetam −0.3 ± 8.4; p = 0.024) (the primary endpoint); the Anger-Hostility subscale on weeks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19; and the Total Mood Disturbance score on weeks 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 17, 19, and 20. Improvement (p < 0.05) with lamotrigine relative to levetiracetam was also observed on the POMS subscales Depression-Dejection, Vigor-Activity, Fatigue-Inertia, and Confusion-Bewilderment. No difference in seizure frequency was observed between groups. The most common adverse events with both medications were headache and dizziness.
Discussion:   Adjunctive lamotrigine significantly improved Anger-Hostility subscale scores relative to adjunctive levetiracetam in patients with partial seizures at the end of 20 weeks. This difference was consistently observed throughout the treatment period. Similar improvement with lamotrigine versus levetiracetam was observed for other mood symptoms.     

Pain and autonomic dysfunction in patients with sarcoidosis and small fibre neuropathy

Small fibre neuropathy (SFN) has been demonstrated in sarcoidosis. However, a systematic analysis of neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms, key features of SFN, has not been performed. Clinimetric evaluation of pain and autonomic symptoms using the neuropathic pain scale (NPS) and the modified Composite Autonomic Symptoms Scale (mCOMPASS) was used in sarcoidosis patients for this study. A total of 91 sarcoidosis patients (n = 23 without SFN symptoms, n = 43 with SFN symptoms but normal intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD), n = 25 with SFN symptoms and reduced IENFD) were examined. NPS and mCOMPASS were assessed twice (reliability studies). Severity of pain was compared between the subgroups. Correlation between NPS and a visual analogue pain scale (VAS) was assessed (validity studies). Healthy controls (n = 105) completed the mCOMPASS for comparison with patients’ scores. Patients with sarcoidosis, SFN complaints, and reduced IENFD demonstrated more severe pain scores on the NPS. The mCOMPASS differentiated between subjects with and without SFN symptoms. A significant correlation was obtained between the NPS and VAS, indicating good construct validity. Good reliability values were obtained for all scales. The use of the NPS to evaluate SFN symptoms is suggested, as it shows differences between patients with SFN symptoms with normal or reduced IENFD values. The mCOMPASS might be used to select patients for further testing.     

A placebo-controlled trial of lamotrigine for painful HIV-associated neuropathy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the analgesic efficacy of lamotrigine in the treatment of painful HIV-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP). BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of HIV-associated DSP is unknown and there is no effective treatment. A novel anticonvulsant, lamotrigine, blocks voltage-sensitive sodium channels and inhibits the release of glutamate and aspartate. There have been anecdotal reports of efficacy of lamotrigine in the treatment of painful neuropathy and trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, lamotrigine was initiated at 25 mg per day and slowly titrated over 7 weeks to 300 mg per day. Study duration was 14 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in pain on the modified Gracely scale with secondary outcome measures including change in neurologic examination, use of concomitant analgesic medications, and global pain relief. RESULTS: Of 42 enrolled subjects, 13 did not complete the 14-week study endpoint. In five of these, rash was the cause for dropout. In the remaining 29 evaluable subjects, 20 patients received placebo and 9 received lamotrigine. The pain scores at baseline were not significantly different. The reduction in average pain from baseline to week 14 was greater (p = 0.03) in the lamotrigine group (-0.55) than in the placebo group (-0.18), adjusting for baseline levels of pain. There was no difference between the groups on the change in peak worst pain. CONCLUSIONS: In this small trial, lamotrigine showed promise in the treatment of pain associated with HIV-related DSP. The frequency of rash was greater than in lamotrigine studies in epilepsy. A larger controlled study of lamotrigine is warranted.     

Quantitative sensory testing in patients with polyneuropathy and healthy individuals

Aims –  Elderly individuals and patients with polyneuropathy often feel heat pain or burning sensation on quantitative sensory testing (QST) of warm perception distally in the lower limbs. We therefore studied heat pain threshold (HPT), warm perception threshold (WPT) and the difference between heat pain and warm perception thresholds in 48 patients with symptoms and signs of polyneuropathy matched according to age and gender with 48 healthy persons.
Methods –  QST (using method of limits) was performed on the distal calf and the dorsal foot.
Results –  Particularly in the neuropathy group several individuals (58%) had an unpleasant feeling, often burning, when the thresholds according to the WPT algorithm were recorded. Difference between heat pain and warm perception thresholds in the lower calf of the patients was 3.9 ± 3.5 and 5.8 ± 3.4°C in the controls ( P  = 0.012), and on the foot 3.8 ± 2.8 vs 5.3 ± 3.6°C ( P  = 0.02).
Conclusions –  When performing QST it is important to assess also quality features of warm perception, such as burning and heat pain sensation.     

定量温度觉阈值检查在糖尿病周围神经病诊断中的应用

目的 探讨定量温度觉阈值检查(QTT)在糖尿病周围神经病诊断中的应用价值.方法 选取有神经系统症状的169例糖尿病患者[根据病程分为≤5年(69例)和>5年(100例)2个亚组;根据神经传导检测(NCS)是否存在异常分为正常组(45例)和异常组(124例)],并选取年龄匹配的53名健康对照,进行手及足背的冷感觉阈值(CT)、热感觉阈值(WT)、冷痛觉阈值(CPT)、热痛觉阈值(WPT)测定.结果 病程≤5年糖尿病组的手及足背CT[分别为(29.6±1.4)、(26.5±4.3)℃]、WT[(35.9±3.0)、(41.3±4.0)℃]高于健康对照组[手背CT(30.2±1.2)℃,足背CT(29.1±1.5)℃;手背WT(35.0±1.9)℃,足背WT(36.5±1.5)℃;t=3.27、6.63、2.80、8.61,均P<0.05],病程>5年糖尿病组[手背CT(28.2±4.0)℃,足背CT(23.1±7.9)℃;手背WT(37.0±4.7)℃,足背WT(42.6±4.2)℃]高于病程≤5年糖尿病组(t=4.09、4.63、2.55、2.68,均P<0.05),NCS正常的糖尿病组[手背CT(29.5±1.8)℃,足背CT(27.0±4.6)℃;手背WT(35.0±1/9)℃,足背WT(40.9±3.8)℃]高于健康对照组(t=3.22、4.17、3.51、9.95,均P<0.01),差异具有统计学意义.糖尿病组QTT的异常率比NCS的异常率更高,病程>5年糖尿病组NCS、QTr的异常率较病程≤5年糖尿病组高;糖尿病组WT异常率(86.4%,146/169)高于CT异常率(68.1%,115/169,x2=15.49,P<0.01),足背刺激QTT的异常率高于手背刺激QTT的异常率.与健康对照组相比,糖尿病患者的痛觉阈值较高.结论 QTT较常规NCS在糖尿病周围神经病诊断中具有更高的灵敏度,可作为常规NCS的必要补充.下肢热感觉阈值检查是诊断糖尿病周围神经病的敏感指标.     

Short‐ and intermediate‐term efficacy of buprenorphine TDS in chronic painful neuropathies

Abstract Buprenorphine is a potent opioid available as a transdermal delivery system (TDS) formulation. This open‐label study investigated its safety, tolerability, and efficacy in 30 patients with chronic painful neuropathy. Subjects with visual analogue scale (VAS) score ≥5 under stable analgesic treatment were entered. The starting dosage of 35 μg/h was increased up to 70.0 μg/h in case of unsatisfactory pain control as assessed by fortnightly visits. The primary endpoint was the number of patients achieving at least 30% pain relief at day 42 visit. Treatment was safe over the study period. Nine patients dropped out for side effects, mostly nausea and daily sleepiness. Buprenorphine TDS was well tolerated in 21 patients. Thirteen patients achieved >30% of pain relief at day 42 visit. Five patients needed to increase the dosage to 52.5 μg/h. Eight patients did not meet the primary outcome, but none allowed increasing the dosage to 70 μg/h, and four patients withdrew consent to continue the study before day 42 visit because of a ‘fear to become addicted,’ although 40% had obtained VAS reduction. In our study, which needs to be confirmed by a controlled trial, buprenorphine TDS induced clinically meaningful pain relief in about 40% of patients with chronic painful neuropathy, suggesting its use as a third‐line treatment.     

Reduction of central poststroke pain with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine

To investigate the effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluvoxamine on central poststroke pain (CPSP), fluvoxamine (25 to 125 mg daily) was given to 31 patients. Although 3 patients dropped out within 1 week, 28 patients who received fluvoxamine for 2 to 4 weeks showed a significant reduction in the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain from 7.7 +/- 2.2 to 6.0 +/- 3.4 (p < .01). This improvement in VAS was significant in patients within less than 1 year after stroke, but not in those with a duration of more than 1 year. Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was also significantly improved after treatment, but there was no significant correlation between the changes in VAS and SDS. Although this is not a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, these results suggest that fluvoxarnine is useful for the control of CPSP regardless of depression when used relatively early after stroke.     

Brief Clinical Report REDUCTION OF CENTRAL POSTSTROKE PAIN WITH THE SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITOR FLUVOXAMINE

To investigate the effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluvoxamine on central poststroke pain (CPSP), fluvoxamine (25 to 125 mg daily) was given to 31 patients. Although 3 patients dropped out within 1 week, 28 patients who received fluvoxamine for 2 to 4 weeks showed a significant reduction in the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain from 7.7 &#45 2.2 to 6.0 &#45 3.4 (p <. 01). This improvement in VAS was significant in patients within less than 1 year after stroke, but not in those with a duration of more than 1 year. Zung s Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was also significantly improved after treatment, but there was no significant correlation between the changes in VAS and SDS. Although this is not a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, these results suggest that fluvoxarnine is useful for the control of CPSP regardless of depression when used relatively early after stroke.     

Phrenic Nerve Paralysis, Vegetative Symptoms and Restrictive Cardiomyopathy in a Case of Poems Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and safety aspects of sodium valproate in the management of painful neuropathy in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized double‐blind placebo controlled trial of sodium valproate was done in type 2 diabetic patients to assess its efficacy and safety in the management of painful neuropathy. We screened 60 patients but eight patients could not complete the study; hence, the present study was done on 52 patients. Each patient was assessed by clinical examination, pain score by short form of the McGill pain questionnaire (SF‐MPQ) and electrophysiological examination, which included motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, amplitude and H‐reflex initially and at the end of 1 month of treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvement was noticed in the pain score of patients receiving sodium valproate in comparison to patients receiving placebo at the end of 1 month (P < 0.05). The changes in electrophysiological data were not significant. The drug was well tolerated by all patients except one who developed a raised aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT) level after 15 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: Sodium valproate is a well‐tolerated drug and provides significant subjective improvement in painful diabetic neuropathy. These data provide a basis for future trials of longer duration in a larger group of patients.     

Melatonin Response in Active Epilepsy

Summary: Urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT.6S), the hepatic metabolite of melatonin, was measured for three consecutive 8-h intervals, beginning at 0600 h, in 30 patients with untreated active epilepsy and in 19 healthy subjects. Excretion of aMT.6S in a 24-h period in patients with active epilepsy was 77.3 ± 55 nmol (median 68.0, range 8.7–280 nmol), significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of healthy subjects (49.1 ± 14 nmol, median 49.0, range 19.7–68.0 nmol). Sequential 8-h urinary aMT.6S excretion rates in patients with active epilepsy were 2.45 ± 2.8 nmol/h (0600–1400 h), 0.83 ± 0.5 nmol (1400–2200 h) and 6.38 ± 5.0 nmol/h (2200–0600 h) as compared with 1.43 ± 0.8, 1.10 ± 0.8 and 3.81 ± 1.3 nmol/h, respectively, in healthy subjects. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the difference in total output resulted from greater nocturnal excretion ( F = 5.58, p = 0.018). Melatonin production in untreated patients with active epilepsy is increased and has a circadian pattern with a phase difference as compared with that of normal subjects.     

Gabapentin in painful HIV-related neuropathy: a report of 19 patients, preliminary observations

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Gabapentin as the sole analgesic in patients with HIV-related painful neuropathy. Nineteen patients with HIV-related painful neuropathy were administered Gabapentin. Efficacy was evaluated with two 100-mm Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) (0: no symptom; 100: worst symptom), rating pain and interference of pain with sleep, performed at baseline and monthly intervals. Main Pain VAS score decreased from a baseline of 55.7 +/- 19.1 mm to a final 14.7 +/- 18.6 mm (ANOVA P = 0.0001) and mean Sleep Interference VAS score decreased from a baseline of 60.4 +/- 31.9 mm to a final 15.5 +/- 27.7 mm (ANOVA P = 0.0001). Gabapentin provided significant pain relief in our patients with HIV-associated painful sensory neuropathy.     

A placebo-controlled trial of gabapentin for painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathies

Abstract. Background: Painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathies (HIV-SN) are a common complication of HIV infection. The pathogenesis is unknown and the treatment very limited. Gabapentin (GBP) is effective in painful diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia and its effectiveness on painful HIV-SN has been reported anecdotally. Design: Multicenter, prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Methods: Patients were followed for a 1-week screening, a 4-week double-blind and a 2-week open treatment phase. GBP was initiated at 400 mg/d, titrated over 2 weeks to 1200 mg/d, and then either maintained at this level or—if not beneficial—titrated to 2400 mg/d. After 4 weeks the medication was unblinded and the patient had the choice to begin, to maintain or to increase GBP to 3600 mg/d. The primary outcome measure was an improvement in median pain on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from the screening week compared to the 4^th treatment week. A secondary efficacy measure was the median sleep score (VAS). Results: 15 patients received GBP and 11 placebo. In each group one patient dropped out during the doubleblind phase. Median pain (GBP 5.1; placebo 4.7) and sleep score (GBP 4.5; placebo 5.6) did not differ between both groups at baseline. In the GBP-group there was a significant decrease of the pain to 2.85 (–44.1 %) as well as of the sleep VAS to 2.3 (–48.9 %). No significant decrease in the pain (median VAS=3.3, –29.8 %) as well as in the sleep score (median VAS=4.95, –11.6 %) was observed in the placebo-group. GBP was generally well tolerated. The most frequent side effect was somnolence reported in 80% of GBP-treated patients. Conclusions: GBP was more effective than placebo in reducing pain and sleep interference in patients with HIV-SN.     

Lamotrigine for central poststroke pain: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Central poststroke pain (CPSP) is usually difficult to treat. Amitriptyline, the only oral preparation shown to be effective in a randomized controlled trial, is often associated with a range of side effects related to the many mechanisms of actions of tricyclic antidepressants. We investigated the effect of lamotrigine, a drug that reduces neuronal hyperexcitability, on poststroke pain. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with CPSP (median age 59 years, range 37 to 77; median pain duration 2.0 years, range 0.3 to 12) from two centers participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study. The study consisted of two 8-week treatment periods separated by 2 weeks of wash-out. The primary endpoint was the median value of the mean daily pain score during the last week of treatment while treated with 200 mg/d lamotrigine. Secondary endpoints were median pain scores while on lamotrigine 25 mg/d, 50 mg/d, and 100 mg/d; a global pain score; assessment of evoked pain; areas of spontaneous pain; and allodynia/dysesthesia. RESULTS: Lamotrigine 200 mg/d reduced the median pain score to 5, compared to 7 during placebo (p = 0.01) in the intent-to-treat population of 27 patients. No significant effect was obtained at lower doses. Twelve patients (44%) responded to the treatment. There was a uniform tendency to reduction of all secondary outcome measures, but lamotrigine only had significant effects on some of the secondary outcome measures. Lamotrigine was well tolerated with few and transient side effects. Two mild rashes occurred during lamotrigine treatment, one causing withdrawal from study. CONCLUSIONS: Oral lamotrigine 200 mg daily is a well tolerated and moderately effective treatment for central poststroke pain. Lamotrigine may be an alternative to tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of CPSP.     

An open study of methylphenidate in bipolar depression

Background: The treatment of bipolar depression is problematic. Mood stabilizing agents are often inadequate, while antidepressants may induce mania or mood destabilization. Methylphenidate has been advocated as an effective antidepressant agent in unipolar depression, and depression secondary to medical illness. Amphetamine administration has been shown to reduce manic behavior. These independent observations suggest that methylphenidate may be a safe and effective agent in bipolar depression.

Methods: Fourteen depressed subjects with DSM-IV bipolar illness and a Hamilton-depression (HAM-D) scale score of at least 15 had methylphenidate added to a stable mood stabilizer regiment. Patients were followed weekly for 4 weeks and then biweekly for an additional 8 weeks.

Results: HAM-D scores dropped from 16.9±1.79 SD at baseline to 9.4±9.73 on week 12 (p=0.12, t=1.84, df=6) and 9.8±7.56 on last observation carried forward (LOCF) (p=0.019, t=2.8, df=10). Psychiatric symptom assessment scale (PSAS) scores dropped from 17.9±5.63 at baseline to 4.8±7.47 at week 12 (p=0.016, t=4.02, df=4) and 6.3±6.75 on LOCF (p=0.007, t=3.74, df=7). Three individuals stopped secondary to anxiety, agitation, and hypomania, respectively.

Conclusion: In this brief, open study, methylphenidate was effective and relatively safe in depressed bipolar subjects.     

The effects of clodronate for the pain treatment of bone metastasis due to prostate cancer

Hormone refractory prostate cancer is dominated by osseous metastases. Bisphosphonates are able to reduce bone resorption. Sixteen hormone refractory prostate cancer patients with related bone metastases were included in the study. Group A consisted of patients who were not treated with bisphosphonates (n=9) and group B consisted of patients who had received bisphosphonates treatment previously, but not receiving currently (n=7). All patients were treated with the same analgesic medications. Clodronate 400 mg; 1200 mg/day (p.o.) was added to the treatment of the patients in group A. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, consumptions and side effects of analgesics were recorded by two week intervals. Alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and serum Ca++ levels were controlled by 4 week intervals. At the end of the 12th week, the study was ended. In Group A, VAS decreased at the end of the 2nd week but in Group B VAS decreased in the 4th week. VAS decreased 75% in group A and 65.7% in group B and the difference was considered statistically significant (p<0.0001). Clodronate treatment was stopped in 2 patients because of nausea, 7 patients are still being treated with clodronate. We conclude that bisphosphonates treatment of painful osseous metastasis due to hormone refractory prostate cancer results in significant pain decrease.     

Double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study of lamotrigine in treatment resistant partial seizures.

The results of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial of lamotrigine as add-on therapy in patients with partial seizures poorly controlled by established antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are presented. The study consisted of two 12 week treatment periods each followed by a four week washout period. During the lamotrigine treatment phase, patients received 150 mg or 300 mg daily dose depending on their concomitant AEDs to achieve concentrations in the range 1-3 mg/L. Forty one patients were entered at four centres and all patients entered completed the study. There was a highly significant (p < 0.001) decrease in total seizure counts on lamotrigine compared with placebo. Overall, 22% of patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in the total numbers of all seizures types on lamotrigine, compared with none on placebo. When the total numbers of partial seizures (simple and complex partial) were analysed there was also a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in seizure counts on lamotrigine compared with placebo. When total numbers of secondarily generalised seizures were compared the trend for a reduction in this seizure type did not achieve significance (0.05 < p < 0.1). Concomitant AED plasma concentrations were virtually unchanged. It is concluded that lamotrigine is an effective AED in the treatment of therapy-resistant partial seizures.     

P2X3-mediated peripheral sensitization of neuropathic pain in resiniferatoxin-induced neuropathy

Patients suffering from sensory neuropathy due to skin denervation frequently have paradoxical manifestations of reduced nociception and neuropathic pain. However, there is a lack of satisfactory animal models to investigate these phenomena and underlying mechanisms. We developed a mouse system of neuropathy induced by resiniferatoxin (RTX), a capsaicin analog, and examined the functional significance of P2X3 receptor in neuropathic pain. From day 7 of RTX neuropathy, mice displayed mechanical allodynia (p<0.0001) and thermal hypoalgesia (p<0.0001). After RTX treatment, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of the peripherin type were depleted (p=0.012), while neurofilament (+) DRG neurons were not affected (p=0.62). In addition, RTX caused a shift in neuronal profiles of DRG: (1) increased in P2X3 receptor (p=0.0002) and ATF3 (p=0.0006) but (2) reduced TRPV1 (p=0.036) and CGRP (p=0.015). The number of P2X3(+)/ATF3(+) neurons was linearly correlated with mechanical thresholds (p=0.0017). The peripheral expression of P2X3 receptor in dermal nerves was accordingly increased (p=0.016), and an intraplantar injection of the P2X3 antagonists, A-317491 and TNP-ATP, relieved mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, RTX-induced sensory neuropathy with upregulation of P2X3 receptor for peripheral sensitization of mechanical allodynia, which provides a new therapeutic target for neuropathic pain after skin denervation.     

Personality and physical symptoms in nonpsychiatric patients with functional gastrointestinal disorder

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between personality and reported pain and somatic distress in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGD) without psychopathology. METHODS: Fifty-six patients and 55 controls completed Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ: N+L scales), and Giessener Physical Complaints Checklist (GBB). Patients also completed McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for abdominal pain and target symptom (abdominal distress). RESULTS: Patients displayed significantly higher levels of neuroticism and covert aggression than controls. Number of words chosen (NWC) to describe pain and sensory pain index (MPQ), but not pain intensity on VAS, were predicted by indirect aggression -- and less so by neuroticism -- in females and covert aggression in males (stepwise regression model). Patients reported far more extraintestinal somatic complaints than controls. CONCLUSION: Out of nine dimensions of hostility and five dimensions of personality, only neuroticism and concealed aggression are increased in FGD patients without psychiatric comorbidity compared with healthy controls. These personality traits influence pain reports and should be taken into account when evaluating and treating patients with FGD. Neuroticism and concealed aggression are most likely markers of vulnerability to FGD and not merely reflections of being chronic ill or explained by sample bias secondary to illness behavior.     

Neuropathic Limb Pain and Spinal Cord Stimulation: Results of the Dutch Prospective Study

Baseline and 12‐month follow‐up data from a prospective controlled study on patients treated with SCS for neuropathic limb pain (NLP) are analyzed critically. The outcome on pain, use of medication, and quality of life are reported and compared with the literature. Patients enrolled from April 1999 to December 2001 were part of a quality system study by the Dutch Working Group on Neuromodulation. In two years, more than 400 patients were admitted for several indications of chronic neuropathic pain. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) were the largest cohorts. FBSS was defined as persistent limb pain with/or without concomitant minor back pain after prior surgery for a slipped lumbar disc or spinal instability. SCS was a last resort therapy. Two criteria were used for eligibility: a SCL‐90 score below 225 and a mean visual analog score (VAS) of four days according to Jensen of ≥ 5. One hundred sixty nine patients were registered for FBSS. Thirty four did not fulfill the eligibility criteria, and 135 received several questionnaires for baseline evaluation. Thirty patients did not have successful trial stimulation (< 50% pain relief), leaving 105 patients for implantation. The mean scores of the baseline evaluation were: SCL 137 (SD 28.3) and VAS 7.3 (SD 1.2), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) total PRI: 22.4 (9.4), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) total score: 19.4 (SD10.1), ROLAND disability (RD) 16.9 (SD 3.5) and EUROQOL (EQ‐5D) 55.2 (SD 14.5) (simple linear index). Medication quantification scale at intake was 11.5 (SD 7.9). 56.2% of the patients used one or more narcotic drugs at intake. 82% of the patients did not have a paid job at the time of inclusion. 61% of the patients lost their job due to their medical problems. Scores at 12‐m follow‐up were VAS 3.0 (SD 2.4), MPQ 10.8 (SD 8), SIP 11.7 (SD 9.4), EQ‐5D 38.2 (SD 19.2) and RD 12.4 (SD 4.8). The difference between baseline and 12‐m follow‐up is statistically significant for all measures. We conclude that the outcome measures indicate that SCS significantly reduces pain and enhances quality of life in patients having NLP not responding to other adjuvant therapy. Recommendations are proposed to make studies more comparable.