ABSTRACT
Persistent pain is a costly epidemic, affecting >50 million Americans with estimated expenditures of >$200 billion annually for direct care and lost productivity. Recent advances in epigenetic/genomic understanding of pain and analgesic response may lead to improvements in pain management and help curtail costs by providing more precise detection of the pain mechanisms involved and thereby more personalized and effective treatments. However, the translation of epigenetic and genomic strategies for pain management into clinical practice will depend on understanding their potential applications. The purpose of this article is to examine current knowledge about epigenetic and genomic mechanisms of persistent pain and potential opportunities for improving pain management. The initial discussion focuses on present understanding of nociceptive pathways and alterations that lead to pathologic pain. The discussion then moves to a review of epigenetic mechanisms that have been identified in the transition to and maintenance of persistent pain as well as in the individual's response to analgesics. Potential applications of epigenetics/genomics to identify people at risk and possibly prevent persistent pain and guide diagnosis and the selection of therapeutic modalities are presented.
Subject(s)
Brain Chemistry/genetics , Epigenesis, Genetic , Genomics , Pain Management , Pain/genetics , HumansABSTRACT
The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) project is enhancing the emphasis on quality care and patient safety content in nursing schools. A partnership between QSEN and the Veterans Affairs National Quality Scholars program resulted in a unique experiential, interdisciplinary fellowship for both nurses and physicians. This article introduces the Veterans Affairs National Quality Scholars program and provides examples of learning activities and fellows' accomplishments. Interprofessional quality and safety education at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels is germane to improving the quality of health care.
