Pain intensity of chronic non-cancer patients was reduced by cannabinoids consumption , but effect sizes were small .
Efficacy for neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain was similar
There is growing interest in using cannabinoids for chronic pain .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer pain .
Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders and Predictors of Pain Management Program Success in Patients With Chronic Pain.
BACKGROUND : This prospect i ve investigation assessed success rates of a pain management program for patients with and without DSM-III-R Axis I and II psychiatric disorders . METHOD : Subjects included 40 consecutive patients with chronic pain who were referred to a physical therapy-oriented , " st and ard " pain management program .  Serial ratings of pain levels were measured via a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) at baseline , weekly throughout a 12-week program , and during a follow-up interval 1 month after completion of the program . Weekly reports of hours of gainful employment were recorded . VAS scores and number of hours worked per week were combined into a measure of pain improvement . This dependent variable was used to compare groups of patients across psychiatric disorders diagnosed via the Diagnostic Interview Schedule ( DIS ) . Percentages of patients in each diagnostic group who met minimal criteria for improvement were computed and compared . A chi-square analysis was conducted on success rates between patients with and without any Axis I disorder , any Axis II disorder , and any substance abuse/dependence disorder . RESULTS : Overall , 70 % of patients ( N = 28 ) were found to have a DIS psychiatric disorder . There were differences in improvement between patients with and without Axis I disorders and between those with and without Axis II disorders . The presence of a diagnosis was associated with significantly lower improvement rates ( p < .05 ) . CONCLUSION : Patients with chronic pain enrolled in this clinic had a high prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders , and these comorbid patients were less likely to improve with st and ard chronic pain treatment . In a population of patients seeking treatment for chronic pain , these results suggest a need for detection and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and further research on the efficacy of psychiatric treatment interventions in chronic pain management
Pain intensity of chronic non-cancer patients was reduced by cannabinoids consumption , but effect sizes were small .
Efficacy for neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain was similar
There is growing interest in using cannabinoids for chronic pain .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer pain .