권호 표지

The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (KPS)

  • Quarterly
  • /
  • 2005-9159(pISSN)
  • /
  • 2093-0569(eISSN)

Domain

  • Health Sciences ＞ Clinical Medicine

Aim & Scope

The Korean Journal of Pain (Korean J Pain, KJP) is the official journal of the Korean Pain Society, founded in 1986. It has been published since 1988. KJP is an international peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary, and open-access journal for basic pain researchers and clinicians. It has been published quarterly in English since 2009 (on the first day of January, April, July, and October). It also became the official journal of the International Spinal Pain Society in 2016. The mission of the KJP is to improve the care of patients in pain by providing a forum for basic scientists, clinical researchers, clinicians, and other health professionals. The KJP aims to offer state-of-the-art practical information on the basic mechanisms, prevention, and management of pain. Specific topics covered by the KJP include, but are not limited to, basic and applied pain research, interventional procedures, neuromodulation, palliative care, multi-disciplinary treatments, patient education, and health policy. All or part of the KJP is indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), PubMed/PubMed Central, Scopus, Embase, EBSCO, Google Scholar, WPRIM (Western Pacific Regional Index Medicus), Chemical Abstract, the Korea Citation Index (KCI), KoreaMed, and KoMCI Web. The KJP is supported by the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies Grant, funded by the Korean Government (Ministry of Education). The KJP’s publication types are reviews, original articles (experimental or clinical), case reports, and letters to the editor. All manuscripts should be submitted via the online submission system (http://www.epain.org/). There is no article processing charge. The Korean Pain Society owns the copyrights of all published materials in the KJP. Print copies are freely distributed to Korean Pain Society members and major libraries in Korea and the world. Full texts are freely available from http://www.epain.org/. The circulation number per issue is 50. For a subscription to the print edition, please contact the editorial office.

http://www.epain.org KSCI KCI SCOPUS SCI SCIE

Volume 25 Issue 4

  1. Jin, Hee-Cheol 211
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.211 PDF KSCI
  2. Choi, Dae-Kee;Leem, Jeong-Gill;Shin, Jin-Woo;Suh, Jeong-Hun 213
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.213 PDF KSCI
    Background: It has been demonstrated that the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and apoptotic cell death in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following spinal nerve constriction injury play a role in the initiation and continuation of hyperalgesia and allodynia. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on mechanical and cold allodynia, TNF-${\alpha}$ expression, and apoptosis in DRG after spinal nerve ligation injury. Methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups: control, pre-EP, and post-EP. EP (50 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before (pre-EP) or after (post-EP) surgery. Behavioral tests to determine mechanical and cold allodynia were conducted before surgery and 4 and 7 days after surgery. Seven days after surgery, TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in DRG were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and DRG apoptosis was determined by immunohistochemical detection of activated caspase-3. Results: Treatment with EP significantly reduced mechanical and cold allodynia following spinal nerve ligation injury. TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in the pre-EP ($4.7{\pm}1.2$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$; P < 0.001) and post-EP ($6.4{\pm}1.8$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$; P < 0.001) groups were 2-3 times lower than the control group ($14.4{\pm}1.2$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$). The percentages of neurons and satellite cells that co-localized with caspase-3 were also significantly lower in the pre-EP and post-EP groups than the control group. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that EP has a strong anti-allodynic effect that acts through the inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ expression and apoptosis in DRG after spinal nerve ligation injury.
  3. Paz-Campos, Marco Antonio De;Chavez-Pina, Aracely Evangelina;Ortiz, Mario I;Castaneda-Hernandez, Gilberto 221
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.221 PDF KSCI
    Background: It has been reported that curcumin, the main active compound of Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, exhibits antinociceptive properties. The aim of this study was to examine the participation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels ($K_{ATP}$ channels) and, in particular, that of the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP-$K_{ATP}$ channel pathway, in the antinociceptive effect of curcumin. Methods: Pain was induced by the intraplantar injection of 1% formalin in the right hind paw of Wistar rats. Formalin-induced flinching behavior was interpreted as an expression of nociception. The antinociceptive effect of oral curcumin was explored in the presence and absence of local pretreatment with L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, ODQ, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, and glibenclamide, a blocker of $K_{ATP}$ channels. Results: Oral curcumin produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the 1% formalin test. Curcumin-induced antinociception was not altered by local L-NAME or ODQ, but was significantly impaired by glibenclamide. Conclusions: Our results confirm that curcumin is an effective antinociceptive agent. Curcumin-induced antinociception appears to involve the participation of $K_{ATP}$ channels at the peripheral level, as local injection of glibenclamide prevented its effect. Activation of $K_{ATP}$ channels, however, does not occur by activation of the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP-$K_{ATP}$ channel pathway.
  4. Lim, Seung-Mo;Shin, Mee-Ran;Kang, Kyung-Ho;Kang, Hyun;Nahm, Francis Sahn-Gun;Kim, Baek-Hui;Shin, Hwa-Yong;Lim, Young-Jin;Lee, Sang-Chul 228
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.228 PDF KSCI
    Background: Milnacipran is a balanced serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor with minimal side effects and broad safety margin. It acts primarily on the descending inhibitory pain pathway in brain and spinal cord. In many animal studies, intrathecal administration of milnacipran is effective in neuropathic pain management. However, there is no study for the neurological safety of milnacipran when it is administered neuraxially. This study examined the neurotoxicity of epidural milnacipran by observing behavioral and sensory-motor changes with histopathological examinations of spinal cords in rats. Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups, with each group receiving epidural administration of either 0.3 ml (3 mg) of milnacipran (group M, n = 20), 0.3 ml of 40% alcohol (group A, n = 20), or 0.3 ml of normal saline (group S, n = 20). Results: There were no abnormal changes in the behavioral, sensory-motor, or histopathological findings in all rats of groups M and S over a 3-week observation period, whereas all rats in group A had abnormal changes. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the direct epidural administration of milnacipran in rats did not present any evidence of neurotoxicity in behavioral, sensory-motor and histopathological evaluations.
  5. Kim, Myoung-Joong;Hong, Boo-Hwi;Zhang, En-Ji;Ko, Young-Kwon;Lee, Won-Hyung 238
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.238 PDF KSCI
    Background: Vitamin E is widely known to be one of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and a drug that can easily be obtained, and it has been shown to attenuate the pain responses induced by various causes in animal pain models. Thus, this experiment was conducted to assess the antinociceptive effects of vitamin E by comparing intraperitoneal and intrathecal injections in rats subjected to the formalin test. Methods: After the intraperitoneal and intrathecal injections of vitamin E were carried out, respectively (IP: 500 mg/kg, 1 g/kg, and 2 g/kg, IT: 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg), the formalin test was perfumed. As soon as 5% formalin was injected into left hind paw, the number of flinches induced by pain was measured at 5-minute intervals for 1 hour. Results: Formalin injected into the left hind paw induced biphasic nociceptive behavior in all animals. Intraperitoneal injection of vitamin E diminished the nociceptive behavior in a dose-dependent manner during the early and late phase. Intrathecal vitamin E diminished nociceptive behavior dose dependently during the late phase but showed no significant difference in the early phase. Conclusions: Vitamin E attenuated acute nociception when it was injected systemically, while both systemic and intrathecal injection produced analgesia in a rat model of formalin-induced hyperalgesia.
  6. Zarei, Safar;Bigizadeh, Shiva;Pourahmadi, Mohammad;Ghobadifar, Mohamed Amin 245
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.245 PDF KSCI
    Background: Prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic characteristics have been reported by different studies from different geographical regions in the world. However, data from many Middle East countries including Iran (especially southern Iran) are scare. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic, psychological and socioeconomic factors in an Iranian population. Methods: In this population-based survey, the target population was comprised of subjects aged 20 to 85 years residing in Jahrom, southern Iran during 2009-2011. All eligible subjects were invited to participate in the study. Before a detailed questionnaire was given; face to face interviews were done for each individual. Results: There were 719 men and 874 women with an average age of 40.5 years at the onset of the study. Among the study population, 38.9% (620/1,593) complained of chronic pain, of whom 40.8% (253/620) were men and 59.2% (367/620) were women. Foot and joint pain were observed in 31.9%. Hip and spine pain, migraine and tension headaches, heart pain, and abdomen pain were observed in 21.5%, 15.5%, 9.5%, and 8.0% of chronic pain cases, respectively. There was a significant association among the covariables age, sex, overweight, educational level, income, and type of employment with chronic pain as the dependent variable (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our findings show the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic, psychological and socioeconomic factors. Individuals with low incomes and less education became accustomed to pain due to a lack of knowledge.
  7. Kim, Sung-Hoon;Koh, Won-Uk;Rhim, Jin-Ho;Karm, Myong-Hwan;Yu, Hye-Suk;Lee, Bo-Yoeng;Shin, Jin-Woo;Leem, Jeong-Gill 254
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.254 PDF KSCI
    Background: Elderly patients visiting pain clinic may be at greater risk of misunderstanding the explanation because of age-related cognitive decline. Video instruction may provide a consistent from of teaching in a visual and realistic manner. We evaluated the effect of educational video on the patient understanding and satisfaction in a group of geriatric patients visiting pain clinic. Methods: Ninety two patients aged more than 60 years old who were scheduled for transforaminal epidural block were recruited. After exposure to either video or paper instruction process, each patient was asked 5-item comprehension questions, overall satisfaction and preference question. During follow-up period, number of outpatient referral-line call for further explanation was counted. Results: We observed significantly better comprehension in the video education compared with paper instruction (P < 0.001). Patient satisfaction was also higher in the video group (P = 0.015), and patients visiting pain clinic were more preferred video instruction (P < 0.001). Proportion of referral-line call for further explanation were similar (P = 0.302). Conclusions: Video approach to instruction process before consent improves treatment comprehension in geriatric patient visiting pain clinic.
  8. Seo, So-Jin;Kim, Hye-Rim;Choi, Eun-Joo;Nahm, Francis Sahn-Gun 258
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.258 PDF KSCI
    Posterior neck pain is a common complaint of patients in the pain clinic. The atlas (C1) burst fracture is known to be a cause of posterior neck pain and instability. Although the atlas burst fracture and instability can be discovered by plain X-rays which show lateral mass displacement or widening of the atlantodental interval, assessment of an atlas burst fracture can be difficult if there is no instability in the imaging study. Here we report a case of a 46-year-old female patient who had complained of sustained posterior neck pain for 6 months. Plain X-rays showed only disc space narrowing at C4/5 and C5/6, without any cervical instability. However, an unrecognized C1 lateral mass fracture was detected by CT and MRI. The patient's pain was then successfully treated after atlantoaxial joint injection with a C2 DRG block.
  9. Kim, Yeon-Dong;Lee, Jae-Hun;Cheong, Yong-Kwan 262
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.262 PDF KSCI
    Several complications are possible after a lumbar epidural block. However pneumocephalus are rare. In this case, we report a case of pneumocephalus. A 68-year-old male patient received lumbar epidural block with the loss of resistance technique using air, and after 35 minutes, apnea, unconsciousness, hypotension, and bradycardia occurred. Immediately, brain CT was done, and we found pneumocephalus. The patient complained of severe occipital headache and itchiness due to pneumocehalus. After conservative treatment, the patient recovered without neurologic complications, and on the seventh day of his hospitalization, he was discharged from the hospital.
  10. Ghionzoli, Marco;Brandigi, Elisa;Messineo, Antonio;Messeri, Andrea 267
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.267 PDF KSCI
    The Nuss procedure for the correction of Pectus Excavatum (PE) is associated with intense postoperative pain. Our strategy to control early postoperative pain is to combine epidural with intravenous analgesia. Our aim was to analyse our pain control strategy by reviewing all the PE cases treated at our institution. Sixty consecutive patients, aged between 12 and 26 years old, received the PE operation at our institution from January, 2007 to September, 2010. The median age was 16 (12-27) with a male/female ratio of about 7/1. An epidural catheter was employed in all the cases, with 38 patients (63%) requiring additional drugs to control pain, which remained in place for 74 hours (72-96). The pain score was higher in male patients, but lower in those younger than 16 years old. Moreover, patients that consumed benzodiazepines had a significant decrease in cumulative opioid intake (P = 0.0408). Both gender and age had an impact on pain control, while we noticed a synergistic effect between opiates and tranquillizers.
  11. Kim, Sae-Young;Kim, Yun-Young 272
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.272 PDF KSCI
    Phantom limb pain is a painful sensation that is perceived in a body part that no longer exists. To control this pain, many methods have been used such as medication, physical treatment, nerve block, neuromodulation, surgical treatment and mirror therapy. However, until now, there effects have been uncertain. We report the successful reduction of phantom limb pain using mirror therapy when other treatments initially failed to control the pain.
  12. Choi, Kwan-Woong;Yoon, Kyung-Bong;Yoon, Duck-Mi;Kim, Do-Hyeong 275
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.275 PDF KSCI
    The pain around the posterior knee, called 'popliteal fossa', has been known to be caused by a variety of disease entities. Venous malformation is a very rare cause of popliteal area pain, and its diagnosis is frequently delayed, missed, or given incorrectly. Here, we report a case of a patient with popliteal fossa pain for 2 years and was diagnosed as intramuscular venous malformation using ultrasound.
  13. Shin, Jee-Hyun;Kim, Do-Wan;Yang, Jong-Yeun;Lee, Won-Il 278
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.278 PDF KSCI
    Cholinergic urticaria with acquired generalized hypohidrosis, and its pathophysiology is not well known. Autoimmunity to sweat glands or to acetylcholine receptors on sweat glands has been mentioned as one of the possible etiologies. Systemic steroid therapy, antihistamines, anticholinergics, and avoidance of the stimulatory situations are recommended for treatment. We experienced a case of cholinergic urticaria with acquired generalized hypohidrosis in a patient who had no other associated disease, and the symptoms eased after repeated bilateral stellate ganglion block. Stellate ganglion block normalized the elevated sympathetic tone and may relieve symptoms in patients with this condition.
  14. Kapoor, Shailendra 281
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.281 PDF KSCI
  15. Kapoor, Shailendra 283
    https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.283 PDF KSCI