Current medical research and opinion
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Effectiveness of the lidocaine patch 5% on pain qualities in three chronic pain states: assessment with the Neuropathic Pain Scale.
To determine the impact of the lidocaine patch 5% on pain qualities associated with chronic pain from postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), painful diabetic neuropathy (DN), and low-back pain (LBP), using the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS). ⋯ The lidocaine patch 5% effectively reduces the intensity of all common pain qualities in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic pain resulting from PHN, painful DN, or LBP. Treatment is well tolerated in combination with other analgesic regimens, with no reports of serious AEs or adverse drug interactions. Assessment scales such as the NPS may offer the possibility to differentiate between various pain states and to assess treatment outcomes for various pain qualities associated with a given pain state.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Impact of tranexamic acid vs. aprotinin on blood loss and transfusion requirements after cardiopulmonary bypass: a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial.
Aprotinin (AP) reduces blood loss and transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but may sensitise patients and is expensive. Tranexamic acid (TA) has less side-effects, but data regarding its efficacy are controversial. The aim of our prospective, randomised, double-blind study was to compare the impact of AP vs. TA on drainage blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing first time CABG on CPB. ⋯ Our data show a difference in blood loss between TA and high-dose AP. Although statistically significant, it has little clinical relevance, because perioperative transfusion requirements were similar for both groups. Thus, TA appears to be a cost-effective alternative to AP in primary CABG patients.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Lidocaine patch 5% and its positive impact on pain qualities in osteoarthritis: results of a pilot 2-week, open-label study using the Neuropathic Pain Scale.
To determine the impact of the lidocaine patch 5% on distinct pain qualities associated with osteoarthritis (OA) through use of the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), an assessment tool designed to assess intensity of various pain qualities (i.e.sharp, dull). ⋯ In patients with moderate-to-severe OA of the knee, 2 weeks of treatment with the lidocaine patch 5% significantly reduces the intensity of pain qualities as measured by all 4 NPS composite measures. Our results coincide with previously reported improvements in pain and physical function in the same patient population, as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index. Measuring the various qualities of pain appears to be a valid approach for assessing clinical outcomes in the treatment of OA pain. Pain measures such as the NPS can capture the multi-dimensional properties of a patient's pain experience and may offer clinicians the possibility to identify differential effects of analgesic treatments on various pain qualities associated with OA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Radiotherapy plus either transdermal fentanyl or paracetamol and codeine for painful bone metastases: a randomised study of pain relief and quality of life.
To compare the effects of providing analgesia with either transdermal fentanyl (TTS-fentanyl) or paracetamol and codeine (P/C) in addition to radiotherapy in patients with metastatic bone pain. ⋯ Transdermal fentanyl combined with R/T was more effective in reducing metastatic bone pain and resulted in greater improvements in quality of life than paracetamol and codeine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Clinical efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone 20 mg administered on a 12-h dosing schedule on the management of postoperative pain after breast surgery for cancer.
To assess clinical efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone (CRO) 20 mg on a 12-h dosing schedule in this prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study of 40 ASA physical status I-III women undergoing breast surgery for cancer. ⋯ The administration of CRO 20 mg on a 12-h dosing schedule halves postoperative IV PCA opioid consumption. CRO 20mg is effective in preventing pain after breast surgery for cancer with only mild side-effects.