Effect of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation on reduced pain in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

It has recently been observed that microorganisms in the gut can regulate brain processes through the gut microbiota-brain axis, affecting pain, depression, and sleep quality. Consequently, prebiotics and probiotics may potentially improve physical, psychological, and cognitive states in those with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) who have an altered microbiota balance. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of probiotic and prebiotic treatments on pain, sleep, quality of life, and psychological distress (depression and anxiety) in FMS, 53 female participants with FMS were randomised to receive either: 1) 4 × 1010 CFUs per day for the 18 patients in the probiotics group; 2) 10 g dose inulin per day for the 17 patients in the prebiotic group; or 3) a placebo for 8 weeks for the 18 patients in this group. The mean ages of the groups were similar and there was no significant difference between the groups. The impact of FMS on pain, sleep quality, quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention. Probiotic supplementation significantly decreased the Beck Depression Index (BDI), Beck Anxiety Index (BAI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores compared to baseline, while prebiotic supplementation only significantly decreased PSQI scores. Moreover, participants who received probiotic treatment presented a significantly reduced Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score compared with those who received placebo treatment, after the interventions. Probiotic supplementation significantly improved sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and pain scores compared to those at baseline in FMS patients, while prebiotic supplementation significantly improved pain scores and sleep quality. The potential benefits of using probiotics for treatment management in FMS patients is supported by the results of the current study and might provide an important strategy to combat FMS-associated diseases.

Is Two-Point Discrimination Test a New Diagnostic Method for the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia?

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of obscure pathogenesis without objective diagnostic criteria and is frequently associated with diagnostic delays due to symptomatic heterogeneity. This study aimed at assessing the response to two-point discrimination test in extremities, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score, and Widespread Pain Index (WPI) score in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: The patient group consisted of 26 subjects diagnosed with fibromyalgia based on the 2016 revision to the American College of Rheumatology 2010 diagnostic criteria, while 25 healthy individuals comprised the control group. In both groups, basal amplitude and somatosensorial temporal discrimination (STD) measurements at the dorsum of the hands and feet were performed in addition to NLR measurements. Also, NRS and WPI were determined in fibromyalgia patients. Results: STD was significantly prolonged in all extremities among fibromyalgia patients as compared to controls. WPI and NRS were also increased, paralleling the STD measurements in all extremities (p<0.05). NLR was higher in the patient group than in controls, although the difference was insignificant. Conclusion: STD values were high in fibromyalgia patients. So, STD appears to have a potential role as an auxiliary diagnostic tool in fibromyalgia. Still, further studies are needed to support this conclusion.

Medication overuse headache: The effectivity of iv lidocaine - magnesium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The detoxification process in medication overuse headache is the most difficult process for the patient. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the combination of low dose IV lidocaine and magnesium (100 mg lidocaine and 1.25 mg magnesium) in patients with medication overuse headache during the detoxification process. METHODS: A total of 30 patients were included in the study; 15 received 24 hours of IV hydration, 15 received 1-hour lidocaine-magnesium infusion at the onset of pain in addition to the 24 hours of IV hydration. Headache severity (numeric rating scale, NRS), attack durations, onset of headache, monthly analgesic/triptan intakes, numbers of monthly headache days data were documented. We evaluated the severity of headache before and after daily treatment of two groups for one week. RESULTS: When both groups were compared, there was no significant difference in the pre-treatment NRS values, whe-reas, in the group receiving IV lidocaine-magnesium combination, there was a statistically significant decrease in the post-treatment NRS values in the first five days (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: An 1-hour combined infusion of lidocaine-magnesium may be considered as an alternative option for the patient to have a more quality detoxification process during the hospital stay, so that in parallel to the reduction in the use of multiple treatments (such as neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, antiemetics and opioids) and duration length of stay, the economic costs can also be reduced. The administration of combination will bring fewer side effects compared to their administration separately.

Comparison of greater occipital nerve and greater occipital nerve + supraorbital nerve block effect in chronic medication overuse headache

Background /aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of greater occipital nerve (GON) block alone and GON combined with supraorbital nerve (SON) block in the treatment of medication overuse headache (MOH). Material and methods: 82 patients were divided into two groups: 41 patients were administered bilateral GON block while the other 41 patients GON + SON block. Nerve blocks were administered every 10 days for a total of 5 sessions. After each administration and 20 days after the last injection, information on pre and post treatment numerical rating scale (NRS) score, number of painful days, analgesic intake, duration of pain were collected. Results: The decrease in headache evaluation parameters was similar in both groups after the block. The NRS scores in the GON and GON + SON groups before the treatment was (8.2 ± 0.7, 8.5 ± 0.7), the number of painful days in a month was (21.4 ± 6.9, 21.2 ± 4.6 days), the number of analgesics taken monthly was (45 ± 25.6, 47.5 ± 29.9), the duration of pain was (44.9 ± 24.6, 41.7 ± 22.8 h), respectively. On the 60th day of treatment, the NRS scores in the GON and GON + SON groups were found to be (6.8 ± 2.5, 4.8 ± 2.3), the number of painful days in a month was (4.2 ± 3.3, 2.2 ± 1.5), respectively. The number of monthly analgesic consumption was (4.4 ± 3.8, 0.9 ± 1.2), and the duration of pain was (28.4 ± 19.3, 19.4 ± 16.1 h). Conclusion: This study showed significant reductions in headache parameters in both groups. However, NRS score, analgesic intake, number of painful days, and pain duration significantly better improved in the GON block added SON block group.

Are signs of burnout and stress in palliative care workers different from other clinic workers?

OBJECTIVES: Palliative care workers have continuous exposure to the emotionally draining effects of pain, suffering, death, grief, and mourning. Burnout syndrome is common among these individuals who accompany patients on the way to death. This study evaluated burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression among care givers. METHODS: A total of 47 individuals working in palliative care units or internal disease and neurology clinics participated in the study. The participants were divided into 2 groups: palliative care workers (Group P) and workers in internal disease and neurology clinics (Group A). All of the participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Beck anxiety and depression scales, and the Stress Appraisal Measure. RESULTS: A total of 47 healthcare workers agreed to complete the scales. Emotional burnout and desensitization scores were found to be elevated, and personal success scores were low in both groups. The Beck Anxiety Inventory revealed findings of moderate anxiety in both groups, while cognitive-sensorial, physiological, and pain complaints, as well as signs of stress, were more pronounced in Group A. CONCLUSION: Burnout is a significant problem among healthcare workers and signs of stress and cognitive-sensorial, physiological, and pain complaints are particularly common among those working in palliative care units. Structural arrangements aimed at addressing the causes of burnout could positively affect the well-being of healthcare workers.

The Importance of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Post-dural Puncture Headache Diagnosis and Follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial hypotension-induced headache is caused by reduction in the volume or pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. Headache might develop secondary to lumbar puncture. In the detection of intracranial hypotension, when compared with invasive methods, there is a good correlation between ultrasound-guided optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and invasive methods. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of alteration in ultrasound-guided ONSD in diagnosis and treatment of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) induced by intracranial hypotension. METHODS: Our study involved 40 adult patients aged 18-65 scheduled to have surgery under spinal anesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups consisting of PDPH (Group H, n=20), and control (Group C, n=20) during their post-operative period. The ONSDs of patients were measured via ultrasound, pain severity with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pre-operatively, at 24th, 26th and 48th hours post-operatively. Conservative treatment was started on the 24th hour in PDPH group. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic data. In Group H, the reduction in ONSD from 3.8±0.2 to 3.2±0.3 mm in postoperative 24th hours (p=0.001) and an increase to 4.4±0.3 mm in postoperative 48th hours (p=0.03) were significant. When compared to postoperative 24th hours, ONSD in postoperative 26th (3.9±0.3 mm) and 48th hours (4.4±0.3 mm) were significantly higher (p=0.007 and p=0.01; respectively) in Group H. NRS values in Group H at postoperative 26th and 48th hours were significantly lower compared to postoperative 24th hours (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: We believe that serial measurement of ultrasound-guided ONSD, which is considered a simple and non-invasive procedure in the determination of intracranial pressure changes, is a more objective method in the follow-up of intracranial hypotension-induced headache compared to NRS evaluation.