The Korean Journal of Pain

Review Article

01 October 2024

Targeting nerve growth factor for pain relief: pros and cons

Sahar Jaffal and Raida Khalil

Korean J Pain 2024; 37: 288-298

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic protein that has crucial roles in survival, growth and differentiation. It is expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. NGF exerts its effects via two types of receptors including the high affinity re...

Key Words: Acute Disease; Chronic Disease; Inflammation; Low Back Pain; Musculoskeletal; Neoplasms; Nerve Growth Factor; Neuropathic Pain; Orofacial Pain; Osteoarthritis; Pain

Review Article

01 October 2024

Methylcobalamin as a candidate for chronic peripheral neuropathic pain therapy: review of molecular pharmacology action

Amilia Ramadhani, Indwiani Astuti, Maria Goreti Widiastuti et al.

Korean J Pain 2024; 37: 299-309

Chronic peripheral neuropathic pain therapy currently focuses on modulating neuroinflammatory conditions. Methylcobalamin (MeCbl), a neuroregenerative agent, modulates neuroinflammation. This review aimed to explore the molecular pharmacology action ...

Key Words: Axons; Cytokines; Mecobalamin; Mononeuropathies; Neuralgia; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Neurons; Nervous System; Pain Management

Review Article

01 July 2024

Beyond measurement: a deep dive into the commonly used pain scales for postoperative pain assessment

Seungeun Choi, Soo-Hyuk Yoon, and Ho-Jin Lee

Korean J Pain 2024; 37: 188-200

This review explores the essential methodologies for effective postoperative pain management, focusing on the need for thorough pain assessment tools, as underscored in various existing guidelines. Herein, the strengths and weaknesses of commonly use...

Key Words: Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative; Perioperative Care; Postoperative Care; Postoperative Period; Visual Analog Scale

Review Article

01 July 2024

The pros and cons of ultrasound-guided procedures in pain medicine

Jee Youn Moon

Korean J Pain 2024; 37: 201-210

The application of ultrasound (US) in pain medicine has been a rapidly growing field since the 2000s. Musculoskeletal injections, peripheral nerve blocks, and neuraxial injections under US guidance have been acknowledged for managing chronic pain. Al...

Key Words: Chronic Pain; Comparative Study; Fluoroscopy; Musculoskeletal Pain; Nerve Block; Spinal Injections; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Review Article

01 April 2024

The complement system: a potential target for the comorbidity of chronic pain and depression

Shanshan Tang, Wen Hu, Helin Zou et al.

Korean J Pain 2024; 37: 91-106

The mechanisms of the chronic pain and depression comorbidity have gained significant attention in recent years. The complement system, widely involved in central nervous system diseases and mediating non-specific immune mechanisms in the body, remai...

Key Words: Astrocytes; Central Nervous System; Chronic Pain; Complement System Proteins; Comorbidity; Depression; Inflammation; Microglia; Neuronal Plasticity

Review Article

01 April 2024

Current understanding of nociplastic pain

Yeong-Min Yoo and Kyung-Hoon Kim

Korean J Pain 2024; 37: 107-118

Nociplastic pain by the “International Association for the Study of Pain” is defined as pain that arises from altered nociception despite no clear evidence of nociceptive or neuropathic pain. Augmented central nervous system pain and sens...

Key Words: Central Nervous System Sensitization; Chronic Pain; Emotions; Hyperalgesia; Hypersensitivity; Neuralgia; Neuronal Plasticity; Nociception; Nociceptive Pain

Review Article

01 April 2024

Updated guidelines for prescribing opioids to treat patients with chronic non-cancer pain in Korea: developed by committee on hospice and palliative care of the Korean Pain Society

Minsoo Kim, Sun Kyung Park, Woong Mo Kim et al.

Korean J Pain 2024; 37: 119-131

There are growing concerns regarding the safety of long-term treatment with opioids of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. In 2017, the Korean Pain Society (KPS) developed guidelines for opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain to guide ph...

Key Words: Adult; Analgesics; Chronic Pain; Drug Monitoring; Drug Prescriptions; Opioid-Related Disorders; Prescription Drug Misuse; Treatment Outcome