BackgroudIt has been shown that different symptoms or symptom combinations of neuropathic pain (NeP) may correspond to different mechanistic backgrounds and respond differently to treatment. The Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) is able to detect distinct clusters of symptoms (i.e. dimensions) with a putative common mechanistic background. The present study described the psychometric validation of the Portuguese version (PV) of the NPSI.MethodsPatients were seen in two consecutive visits, three to four weeks apart. They were asked to: (i) rate their mean pain intensity in the last 24 hours on an 11-point (0-10) numerical scale; (ii) complete the PV-NPSI; (iii) provide the list of pain medications and doses currently in use. VAS and Global Impression of Change (GIC) were filled out in the second visit.ResultsPV-NPSI underwent test-retest reliability, factor analysis, analysis of sensitivity to changes between both visits. The PV-NPSI was reliable in this setting, with a good intra-class correlation for all items. The factorial analysis showed that the PV-NPSI inventory assessed different components of neuropathic pain. Five different factors were found. The PV-NPSI was adequate to evaluate patients with neuropathic pain and to detect clusters of NeP symptoms.ConclusionsThe psychometric properties of the PV-NPSI rendered it adequate to evaluate patients with both central and peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes and to detect clusters of NeP symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The use of opioids as first and second line agents to adequately treat pain requires systematization in different clinical syndromes which course with acute pain. This study aimed at discussing recommendations for the use of opioids in acute postoperative pain, neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain and pain during gestation and lactation. CONTENTS: This review has addressed the use of opioids in frequent chronic and acute painful syndromes, in gestation and lactation, discussing indications, drugs used, doses, risks, complications and recommendations. CONCLUSION: Opioids for acute postoperative pain have been broadly studied and are established for minor medium and major surgeries. Recommendations for the use of opioids in neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain are restricted to second line treatment and require further discussions. Few studies have investigated the interaction of opioids with physiologic changes typical of gestation and the repercussions of the use of such agents to treat acute and chronic pain in the short and long term. Keywords: Gestation, Lactation, Musculoskeletal pain, Neuropathic pain, Opioid, Postoperative pain. Recommendations for the use of opioids in RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:O emprego de opioides como agentes de primeira e segunda linha no tratamento da dor ainda é motivo de discussão na literatura. O uso de opioides de maneira adequada exige sistematização em diversas síndromes clínicas que cursam com dor aguda e crônica. O objetivo deste estudo foi discutir recomendações para o emprego de opioides na dor aguda de pós-operatório, na dor neuropática, na dor musculoesquelética e na dor durante a gestação e lactação. CONTEÚDO: Nesta revisão abordou-se o emprego de opioides em síndromes dolorosas agudas e crônicas frequentes, na gestação e lactação discutindo as indicações, os fármacos utilizados, as doses, os riscos, as complicações e as recomendações. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de opioides na dor aguda pós-operatória tem sido bem estudado e está estabelecido em cirurgias de pequeno, médio e grande porte. As recomendações para o emprego de opioides na dor neuropática e musculoesquelética são restritas à segunda linha de tratamento e exigem futuras discussões. Poucos estudos investigaram a interação dos opioides com as alterações fisiológicas próprias da gestação e as repercussões do emprego desses agentes no tratamento da dor aguda e crônica em curto e em longo prazo. Descritores: Dor musculoesquelética, Dor neuropática, Dor pós-operatória, Gestação, Lactação, Opioide.

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 À minha filha Camila, que faz a vida ter mais sentido. Às mulheres que nortearam a minha vida, Emília, Maria e Ucha, sempre presentes na minha memória. Ao meu pai, que tornou a vida uma grande aventura. Aos meus irmãos, Celia, João, Neto e Arlete. Aos meus familiares e amigos, pelo incentivo neste projeto.

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