Objective To explore the clinical features and diagnostic procedure of atypical asthma characteristic of chest pain.Methods The patients with unexplained chest pain were screened by lung function test and bronchial provocation test.The diagnosis of asthma was established by therapeutic test and exclusive procedure.The clinical manifestations were analyzed.Results In 56 cases of unexplained chest pain 20 cases were diagnosed as asthma.While all patients referred to clinic with chest pain as chief complaint，a majority of patients (11 cases，85%) showed obscure chest tightness，breath shortness and cough..Some cases reported the same trigger factors as asthma.Chest pain was relieved in all cases after regular antiasthma treatments.Conclusions Chest pain could be a specific presentation of asthma which may be misdiagnosed as other diseases.Bronchial provocation tests and antiasthma therapy should be considered to screen and diagnose this atypical asthma.
Objective To systematically evaluate effectiveness and safety of nerve block therapy for neck pain. Methods Databases including CENTRAL, PubMed, Ovid, ISI, EBSCO, CBM and CNKI were searched from the date of their establishment to November 2011, and relevant references were also retrieved manually to collect both domestic and abroad randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about nerve block therapy for neck pain. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two researchers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. Then the meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 10 studies involving 625 participants were included. The results of qualitative analysis showed that: a) The short-term effectiveness of the nerve block therapy group was markedly superior to the placebo group, the cognitive therapy group and the transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) group; and b) The short-term effectiveness of the combined nerve block therapy was markedly superior to the single nerve block therapy. The results of meta-analysis demonstrated that: a) There was no significant difference between the greater occipital nerve (GON) block group and the C2/3 nerve block group in neither short-term (SMD=−0.13, 95%CI −0.58 to 0.32, P=0.58) nor medium-term effectiveness (SMD=−0.01, 95%CI −0.46 to 0.44, P=0.98); and b): There was no significant difference between the injection with steroids group and the injection without steroids group in both short-term (SMD=0.16, 95%CI −0.13 to 0.44, P=0.28) and long-term effectiveness (SMD=0.27, 95%CI −0.02 to 0.55, P=0.07). Conclusion Current evidence shows nerve block therapy for neck pain is safe and especially good in short-term effectiveness. The combined nerve block therapy is probably more effective, but the effectiveness is not obviously improved by injection with or without steroids, and by different block methods. Due to the limitation of quality, quantity and total sample size of the included studies, this conclusion still needs to be proved by conducting more high quality and large scale studies.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of selective exercise training technique combined with ultrasound therapy on patellofemoral pain syndrome. MethodsPatients who met the research criteria were assigned into treatment group and control group randomly between July 2011 and August 2012. Each group had 28 patients. There were no significant differences in gender, age and body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients in the treatment group received selective exercise therapy and ultrasound therapy, while patients in the control group received normal exercise treatment and ultrasound therapy. Knee numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and knee functional obstruction assessment were performed on all the patients before treatment and 5 days after treatment (on the 6th day) for comparison. ResultsBefore treatment, the score of NPRS in the treatment group and the control group was 4.7±0.8 and 4.8±0.9, respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The score of functional obstruction assessment was 11.2±2.2 and 12.2±2.7 in the two groups without significant difference (P>0.05). Five days after treatment, the NPRS score decreased to 2.1±0.5 in the treatment group and 4.2±1.0 in the control group, and the knee functional obstruction assessment score decreased to 6.4±1.9 and 11.1±2.6, respectively. Both groups improved significantly in NPRS score and knee functional obstruction assessment score (P＜0.05), while the treatment group exhibited more improvement in the two scores than the control group (P＜0.05). ConclusionSelective exercise training is effective for improving the pain and function of patients with patellofemoral syndrome.
ObjectiveTo understand the cervical spine function, core stability and strength of fighter pilots, and to explore the difference of that between fighter pilots with and without neck pain.MethodsFrom October to December 2020, a double-blind design was used to test the cervical spine function, core stability and strength of fighter pilots of a certain part of the Air Force. At the same time, the area of deep cervical flexor and the thickness of transverse abdominis and multifidus muscles were measured. According to the presence or absence of neck pain in the last 3 months, they were divided into neck pain group and non-neck pain group. The cervical spine function, core stability and core strength, deep cervical flexor and transversus abdominis endurance of the two groups were compared and analyzed.ResultsA total of 38 pilots were included. There was no significant difference in age, body mass index, service life, flight time, total flight time and weekly flight time between the neck pain group and the non-neck pain group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in cervical spine mobility between the two groups of pilots (P>0.05). The cervical flexor muscle strength [(15.5±4.9) vs. (12.1±3.0) N] and the ratio of cervical flexion/neck extension (0.6±0.1 vs. 0.5±0.1) in the non-neck pain group were higher than in the neck pain group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the muscle strength of other superficial cervical muscles between the two groups (P>0.05). The average value of deep neck flexor endurance in the neck pain group [25.36 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)] better than the non-neck pain group group (17.11 mm Hg) (P=0.026). There was no significant difference in test values of transverse abdominis endurance between the two groups (P>0.05). The left hip internal rotator strength [(11.9±2.6) vs. (10.0±2.1) N] and the left hip external rotator strength [(13.7±2.2) vs. (11.9±2.0) N] in the non-neck pain group were higher than in the neck pain group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the muscle strength of the other hip joint muscles between the two groups (P>0.05). The thickness of the right transversus abdominis in the neck pain group [(1.1±0.3) vs. (0.8±0.3) cm] was higher than that in the non-neck pain group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the thickness of the left transversus abdominis, the cross-sectional area of deep cervical flexor muscle and the thickness of lumbar multifidus muscle between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsFighter pilots with neck pain have superficial cervical flexor muscle strength and decreased left hip internal and external rotation muscle strength, and the superficial cervical flexor and extensor muscle strength is unbalanced. Strengthening the superficial cervical flexor muscle strength, improving the balance between the superficial cervical flexor and extensor muscles, and enhancing the hip internal and external rotator muscle strength may help prevent neck pain.
Objective To explore the pain after discharged in patients with radical total gastrectomy under painless ward management, and to analyze the causes of pain in order to guide the treatment strategy after discharge. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on the pain data of 82 patients who underwent radical total gastrectomy in The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from December 2015 to April 2017, and the situation of pain was followed-up at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after discharged. Results Mild pain occurred in 25 patients at the 2 weeks after discharged; mild pain occurred in 38 patients and moderate pain occurred in7 patients at the first month after discharged; mild pain occurred in 31 patients and moderate pain occurred in 4 patients at the second month after discharged; 19 patients had mild pain at the third month after discharged. There was no significant difference in pain scores between male patients and female patients, <60 years old patients and ≥60 years old patients, patients’ operative time<180 min and patients’ operative time ≥180 min, patients’ intraoperative blood loss<200 mL and patients’ intraoperative blood loss ≥200 mL at the all time points, including the second week, the first, the second, and the third month after discharge ( P>0.05). Conclusion Painless ward management can effectively control the degree of pain in discharged patients who underwent radical total gastrectomy.
Objective To review the research progress on protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods The relevant literature about the mechanism of PAR-2 in the occurrence and development of OA in recent years was extensively reviewed and comprehensively analyzed. Results Abnormal activation of PAR-2 plays an important role in responses to occurrence and development of OA. Through regulating production and releasing of a variety of cytokines (such as inflammatory factors, metabolic factors, pain factors, etc.), the PAR-2 can involve in pathophysiological progression of OA articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovial membrane, as well as occurrence and transmission of pain. Conclusion PAR-2 participation in the development of OA has been confirmed. However, since PAR-2 is complicated and widespread, it is necessary to study the specific role of PAR-2 and the interaction between various signal pathways in the progression of OA, and to elucidate the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of PAR-2 participating in the process of OA, in the hope of exploring the new targets for the effective control of OA.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic surgery of anterior mediastinal tumors via subxiphoid approach under scissors position (SASP) and lateral thoracic approach under lateral position (LALP).MethodsClinical data of 69 patients who received anterior mediastinal tumor excision surgery in our hospital from June 2016 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 32 males and 37 females with an average age of 46.38±11.52 years. The clinical effects of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere was no perioperative death or conversion to thoracotomy. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the operative time (123.34±12.64 min vs. 125.05±17.02 min, P=0.642), intraoperative blood loss [50.00 (73.75) mL vs. 50.00 (80.00) mL, P=0.643], tumor diameter (2.75±0.57 cm vs. 2.89±0.45 cm, P=0.787) and total hospital expenses [32.70 (5.30) thousand yuan vs. 32.90 (4.80) thousand yuan, P=0.923]. However, the postoperative catheterization time [2.00 (1.00) d vs. 4.00 (1.50) d, P=0.000], postoperative drainage [260.00 (200.00) mL vs. 400.00 (225.00) mL, P=0.031], postoperative pain index [2.00 (1.00) points vs. 4.00 (2.00) points, P=0.000], postoperative analgesic time [1.50 (1.00) d vs. 3.00 (2.00) d, P=0.000], postoperative fever time [1.50 (1.00) d vs. 2.00 (1.00) d, P=0.000] in the SASP group were better than those in the LALP group.ConclusionThoracoscopic surgery via SASP is more suitable for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumor with rapid postoperative recovery and reduced pain, and the postoperative curative effect is definite. However, there is a high requirement for the surgical experience and techniques. It can be promoted in the clinic.
Objective To compare and analyze the occurrence of acute and chronic pain after subxiphoid and transcostal thoracoscopic extended thymectomy. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 150 patients who underwent thoracoscopic extended thymectomy in our hospital from July 2020 to June 2022, among whome 30 patients received subxiphoid video-assisted thoracic surgery, and 120 patients received transcostal video-assisted thoracic surgery. The patients were matched by the propensity score matching method. Postoperative pain was evaluated by numeric rating scale (NRS). The intraoperative conditions and postoperative pain incidence were compared between the two groups. ResultsAfter matching, 60 patients were enrolled, 30 in each group, including 30 males and 30 females with an average age of 50.78±12.13 years. There was no difference in the general clinical data between the two groups (P>0.05), and no perioperative death. There were statistical differences in the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative catheter duration, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain on 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the operation time or the postoperative 14 d NRS score (P>0.05). Further univariate and multivariate analyses for postoperative chronic pain showed that surgical method and postoperative 14 d NRS score were risk factors for chronic pain at the 3 months and 6 months after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion The subxiphoid thoracoscopic extended thymectomy has advantages over transcostal thoracoscopic surgery in the postoperative acute and chronic pain.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of endoscopic calcaneoplasty (ECP) for treating hindfoot pain in patients with Haglund’s deformity by comparing with conservative treatment. Methods According to the included standard, 64 hindfoot pain patients (77 feet) with Haglund’s deformity treated between January 2007 and October 2013 were enrolled. Based on the patient’s sports habit, 39 patients (49 feet) who had no requirement on sports were given conservative treatment (control group) and 25 patients (28 feet) who had stable sports habit were given ECP (ECP group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, disease duration, disease side, Fowler-Philip angle, and preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Results The patients were followed up 16-44 months (mean, 33.7 months) in ECP group, and 12-40 months (mean, 37.5 months) in control group. In control group, the syndrome in 34 cases (43 feet) disappeared after 2 weeks; pain was improved in 5 cases (6 feet), and pain disappeared at 3 weeks after orthesis immobilization; hindfoot pain recurred in 24 cases (30 feet) during following-up, 11 cases (13 feet) underwent ECP after 1 year. In ECP group, all incisions healed by first intention without nerve injury; no edema or pain was observed during follow-up. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was significantly improved in 2 groups when compared with score at pre-treatment (P < 0.05). With time, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score gradually decreased in control group, but it gradually increased in ECP group. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score of ECP group was significantly higher than that of control group after treatment (P < 0.05). According to Ogilvie-Harris score system at 12 months, the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 12 cases, and poor in 4 cases, with the excellent and good rate of 84.00% in ECP group; and the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 14 cases, and poor in 17 cases, with the excellent and good rate of 56.41% in control group. There was significant difference in the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (Z=-2.194, P=0.028). Conclusion Under the premise of strict control of surgical indications, the ECP can bring satisfactory effectiveness for treatment of hindfoot pain in patients with Haglund’s deformity.
Objective To observe the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) combined with kinesio taping (KT) on chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Methods CNLBP patients who visited the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between January 2021 and January 2022 were selected. The included patients were divided into ESWT group, KT group, and combined treatment group using a random number table method. All patients received conventional rehabilitation. The ESWT group was treated with ESWT, the KT group was given KT therapy, and the combined treatment group were treated with ESWT and KT with the same treatment frequency as before. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), MOS 36-item Short form Health Survey (SF-36) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used to evaluate pain severity, lumbar spine function, quality of life, and anxiety status in all groups before and 4 weeks after treatment, respectively. Results A total of 85 patients were included. Among them, there were 29 cases in the ESWT group, 28 cases in the KT group, and 28 cases in the combined treatment group. There was no adverse event in any group. The intra-group comparison results showed that the VAS, ODI, and SAS scores of the three groups after 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), while the SF-36 scores in all dimensions were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS, ODI, SAS, or SF-36 scores among the three groups (P>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, there were statistically significant differences in VAS, ODI, SAS, and SF-36 scores among the three groups (P<0.05). The results of multiple comparisons between groups showed that the VAS scores of the ESWT group and the combination therapy group were lower than those of the KT group (P<0.05); the ODI scores of the combination therapy group were lower than those of the ESWT group and the KT group (P<0.05); the SAS scores of the combination therapy group were lower than those of the KT group (P<0.05); the SF-36 scores of each dimension were compared in pairs among the three groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in pairwise comparison of other indicators between groups (P>0.05). Conclusion ESWT combined with KT can more effectively improve the pain and lumbar spine function of patients with CNLBP, and improve the quality of life of patients.