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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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 Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol compared with fixed-dose salmeterol/fluticasone in moderate to severe asthma.
Current asthma guidelines recommend that patients are educated to adjust their medication according to their asthma severity using physician-guided self-management plans. However, many patients take a fixed dose of their controller medication and adjust their reliever medication according to asthma symptoms. ⋯ Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol provides more effective asthma control by reducing exacerbations and reliever medication usage compared with fixed-dose salmeterol/fluticasone.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Use of the lidocaine patch 5% in reducing intensity of various pain qualities reported by patients with low-back pain.
To determine the impact of the lidocaine patch 5% on pain qualities associated with low-back pain (LBP) through use of the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS). ⋯ In patients with moderate-to-severe LBP, 2 weeks and 6 weeks of treatment with the lidocaine patch 5% significantly reduces the intensity of pain qualities as measured by all 4 NPS composite measures. Lidocaine patch 5% is well tolerated with few systemic AEs and may provide beneficial pain relief for patients receiving multidisciplinary treatment without increasing risks for adverse drug interactions. Pain scales such as the NPS offer the ability to measure various pain qualities experienced by LBP patients and may allow clinicians to assess the treatment impact of different medications.