Maren Reimer1, Juliane Sachau1, Julia Forstenpointner1,2, Ralf Baron1. 1. Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 2. Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, the identification of therapy responders has become an increasing focus of pain research. On the basis of laboratory quantitative sensory testing, subgroups of patients were identified, which have been shown to predict treatment response. However, the high cost and time expenditure limits the use of these lab-QST protocols in clinical practice and large clinical trials. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, different bedside testing protocols were developed as easy-to-use alternative for lab-QST. In addition, patients can be subgrouped based on their symptoms by use of patient-reported outcome measures. First results suggest that these approaches can be used to stratify patients into pathophysiological-plausible subgroups predictive for treatment response. SUMMARY: This review presents recently developed bedside approaches that can be implemented as stratification tools in future clinical trials to realize individualized pain medicine. Being complementary rather than replaceable, future studies should combine questionnaires and sensory testing and apply them prospectively in large clinical trials.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, the identification of therapy responders has become an increasing focus of pain research. On the basis of laboratory quantitative sensory testing, subgroups of patients were identified, which have been shown to predict treatment response. However, the high cost and time expenditure limits the use of these lab-QST protocols in clinical practice and large clinical trials. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, different bedside testing protocols were developed as easy-to-use alternative for lab-QST. In addition, patients can be subgrouped based on their symptoms by use of patient-reported outcome measures. First results suggest that these approaches can be used to stratify patients into pathophysiological-plausible subgroups predictive for treatment response. SUMMARY: This review presents recently developed bedside approaches that can be implemented as stratification tools in future clinical trials to realize individualized pain medicine. Being complementary rather than replaceable, future studies should combine questionnaires and sensory testing and apply them prospectively in large clinical trials.
Authors: Martin J De Vita; Katherine Buckheit; Christina E Gilmour; Dezarie Moskal; Stephen A Maisto Journal: Pain Med Date: 2022-02-01 Impact factor: 3.637