The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Oxycodone induced euphoria in ED patients with acute musculoskeletal pain. A secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial.
Some opioid-naïve patients with acute musculoskeletal pain who are treated with opioids develop persistent opioid use. The impact of opioid-induced euphoria on this transition to persistent use has not been explored. We determined whether opioid-induced euphoria could be measured as a phenomenon distinct from relief of pain. ⋯ "How high" and "how blissful" but not "how good" were associated with opioid use after controlling for improvement in pain.
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Esophageal perforation is a rare but serious condition associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ An understanding of esophageal perforation can assist emergency physicians in diagnosing and managing this deadly disease.
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The COVID 19 pandemic has had a crucial effect on the patterns of disease and treatment in the healthcare system. This study examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on respiratory ED visits and admissions broken down by age group and respiratory diagnostic category. ⋯ Changing patterns of ED use were probably due to a combination of a reduced rate of viral diseases, availability of additional virtual services, and avoidance of exposure to the ED environment. Improved hygiene measures during peaks of respiratory infections could be implemented in future to reduce respiratory morbidity; and continued provision of remote health services may reduce overuse of ED services for mild cases.