Pain: Recognising the different types of pain by Prof Romy Parker
Pain, a simple word with complex meaning, is the reason for 80% of consultations at the primary healthcare level. The definition of pain was updated in 2020 with an additional six notes to expand our understanding (see text box). A key point in this definition is that pain and nociception are not the same thing.
Pain types and classification by Dr Tarin Penberthy
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) recently updated their definition of pain. The revised definition is “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.” It is expanded upon by the addition of six key notes and the etymology of the word pain for further valuable context.
Complications of gouty arthritis by Dr Cathy Spargo
Gout is a common, complex inflammatory arthritis caused by monosodium urate crystal deposition in and around a joint. This affects 1-4% of the general population and the prevalence increases with age. The prevalence of both hyperuricemia and gout has risen in the last decades in developed countries and therefore the burden of gout has increased. This is linked to higher protein and calorie intake, beverages sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, purine intake in beer, and lower physical activity.
Using NSAIDs safely by Dr Roland van Rensburg
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have become an integral part of the management of inflammatory pain since its pharmaceutical discovery in the 1960s. The NSAIDs cover a variety of chemical entities, including acetylated salicylates (aspirin), propionic acids (ibuprofen, naproxen), acetic acids (diclofenac, indomethacin, ketorolac), enolic acids, also known as the oxicams (lornoxicam, meloxicam, piroxicam), and the selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors (celecoxib, etoricoxib, parecoxib).
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