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Pain disorders


Browse the latest news, expert commentary, and educational content on pain disorders.


29-07-2022 | Health services | News

Benefits of risk stratification for musculoskeletal pain questioned

Risk stratification in the primary care setting may not lead to significant improvements in pain or function for people with musculoskeletal disorders, but may have benefits for clinical decision-making, the UK-based STarT MSK trial shows.

02-03-2021 | Fibromyalgia | News

Fibromyalgia-related pain not improved with vitamin D supplementation

Twelve weeks of high-dose vitamin D supplementation does not improve pain levels for women with fibromyalgia, research suggests.

27-01-2021 | Osteoarthritis | News

Pain reduction benefits of antidepressants unclear in osteoarthritis

Serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors may reduce pain for up to 3 months in people with osteoarthritis, but it is unclear whether the effect is clinically relevant, show the results of a meta-analysis published in The BMJ.

04-11-2020 | Fibromyalgia | News

Evidence lacking for current fibromyalgia therapies

The results of a systematic review and meta-analysis do not support the effectiveness of most therapies for reducing pain and improving quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.

29-10-2020 | Rheumatoid arthritis | News

Excess multimorbidity begins early in RA disease course

Multimorbidity is more common in people with versus without rheumatoid arthritis, occurs early in the disease course, and progresses more rapidly, US study data show.

21-10-2020 | COVID-19 | News

COVID-19 lockdown had ‘immediate negative consequences’ for rheumatology patients

Over half of a UK cohort of rheumatology patients experienced worsening in musculoskeletal symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown period, say researchers.

01-07-2020 | Mental health | News

Heightened risk for self-harm with some rheumatic diseases

Patients with rheumatic diseases, particularly fibromyalgia, have elevated rates of self-harm, according to data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

21-01-2020 | Osteoarthritis | News

Moderate-to-severe low back pain tied to fall risk in knee OA patients

Researchers have identified an association between the presence of moderate-to-severe low back pain and risk for falls among patients with knee osteoarthritis.

21-11-2019 | Rheumatoid arthritis | News

RA comorbidities signal a need to screen

US researchers have identified a number of chronic conditions associated with rheumatoid arthritis, including some that may predispose to RA development and others that may arise as a result of RA.

21-10-2018 | Axial spondyloarthritis | ACR/ARHP 2018 | News

Online self-referral tool could help improve early SpA diagnosis

An online self-referral strategy for axial spondyloarthritis could raise awareness of the condition and improve early diagnosis, suggest findings from the OptiRef study.

03-10-2018 | Osteoarthritis | News

Musculoskeletal conditions associated with increased chronic disease risk

A large meta-analysis has found that individuals with musculoskeletal conditions may have an increased risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Sad teenager (symbolic image with models)

27-09-2018 | Fibromyalgia | Editorial | Article

Treatment and outcomes of pediatric fibromyalgia: More than resolving pain

David Sherry discusses various pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for management of pediatric fibromyalgia, and outlines the impact of an interdisciplinary approach on physical function, mental health and pain outcomes in these patients.

Teenager talking to therapist

31-07-2018 | Pain disorders | View from the clinic | Article

A multidisciplinary approach to managing chronic pain in children

Editorial board member Sangeeta Sule discusses the challenges faced when managing chronic pain in children and adolescents.

Doctor and female patient (symbolic image with models)

25-05-2018 | Fibromyalgia | Highlight | News

Comorbid fibromyalgia common in patients with inflammatory arthritis

Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that a substantial proportion of patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis have concomitant fibromyalgia, which may influence measures of disease activity.

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