Management of pain in individuals with spinal cord injury: Guideline of the German-Speaking Medical Society for Spinal Cord Injury.

Introduction: Pain is a prominent complication in spinal cord injury (SCI). It can either occur as a direct or as an indirect consequence of SCI and it often heavily influences the quality of life of affected individuals. In SCI, nociceptive and neuropathic pain can equally emerge at the same time above or below the level of injury. Thus, classification and grading of pain is frequently difficult. Effective treatment of SCI-related pain in general and of neuropathic pain in particular is challenging. Current treatment options are sparse and their evidence is considered to be limited. Considering these aspects, a clinical practice guideline was developed as basis for an optimized, comprehensive and standardized pain management in SCI-related pain. Methods: The German-Speaking Medical Society for Spinal Cord Injury (Deutschsprachige Medizinische Gesellschaft für Paraplegiologie - DMGP) developed a clinical practice guideline that received consensus from seven further German-speaking medical societies and one patient organization. The evidence base from clinical trials and meta-analyses was summarized and subjected to a structured consensus-process in accordance with the regulations of the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) and the methodological requirements of the "German instrument for methodological guideline appraisal". Results: This consensus-based guideline (S2k classification according to the AWMF guidance manual and rules) resulted in seven on-topic statements and 17 specific recommendations relevant to the classification, assessment and therapy of pain directly or indirectly caused by SCI. Recommended therapeutic approaches comprise pharmacological (e.g. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or anticonvulsants) and non-pharmacological (e.g. physical activity or psychotherapeutic techniques) strategies for both nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Discussion: Assessment of SCI-related pain is standardized and respective methods in terms of examination, classification and grading of pain are already in use and validated in German language. In contrast, valid, evidence-based and efficient therapeutic options are limited and ask for further clinical studies, ideally randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses.

Pharmacological treatment of knee osteoarthritis: Special considerations of the new German guideline.

The pharmacological treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a purely symptomatic therapy, which often ensures that the mobility of the patient is successfully retained. This article refers to the recommendations and opinions regarding the pharmacotherapy of knee OA contained in the new guideline of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF), highlighting several important aspects and describing the considerations underlying the decision-making process. With this article it is hoped that therapeutic effectiveness can be realistically estimated, that any risks of medication errors and avoidable side effects can be reduced, and that further helpful measures can be taken into consideration.

Long-term opioid use in non-cancer pain.

BACKGROUND: The long-term use of opioid analgesic drugs to treat chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a major component of pain pharmacotherapy. The interpretation of the evidence concerning its efficacy and risks is currently debated. METHODS: An interdisciplinary evidence- and consensus-based S3 guideline was updated on the basis of a systematic literature search (CENTRAL, Medline, and Scopus databases, from October 2008 to October 2013); meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (≥ 4 weeks); and a consensus procedure, as specified by the AWMF regulations, including 22 medical and psychological societies and 2 patient self-help organizations. RESULTS: 119 publications were used to update the guideline, and 6 systematic reviews with meta-analyses were performed. A nominal group process was used to formulate recommendations concerning the indications and contraindications for the treatment of CNCP with opioid analgesics and the manner in which such treatments should be carried out. Opioid analgesics are an option for the short-term treatment (4-12 weeks) of chronic pain due to osteoarthritis (pain intensity, standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.22 and -0.26), diabetic polyneuropathy (SMD -0.74), post-herpetic neuralgia (SMD -0.58), and chronic low back pain (SMD: -0.29 and -0.74). Long-term opioid treatment (≥ 26 weeks) for these diseases benefits only about 25% of patients. For other conditions, either short- or long-term treatment with opioid analgesics should be considered an individual therapeutic trial. Opioid treatment for pain is contraindicated by primary headaches and by any functional or mental disorder of which pain is a leading manifestation. CONCLUSION: To minimize the risks of opioid analgesic treatment, physicians must be aware of its contraindications and must regularly reassess its efficacy and side effects. Pharmacotherapy should be combined with other types of treatment.