Articles: analgesics.
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To identify predictors of persistent opioid use in opioid-naïve individuals undergoing total joint arthroplasty. ⋯ This predictive model for persistent opioid use after total joint arthroplasty shows promise as an evidence-based, validated, and standardized tool for identifying high-risk patients before surgery in order to target strategies and interventions to reduce the reliance on opioids for postoperative pain control.
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In 2016, Oregon developed an innovative policy to improve care for Medicaid patients with back pain. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with dose reduction and discontinuation among Medicaid patients using chronic opioid therapy after implementation of this policy. ⋯ Most Medicaid beneficiaries had a dose reduction after implementation of Oregon's back pain policy. Opioid discontinuation was associated with factors that suggest that providers pursue this strategy for patients at higher overdose risk.
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To assess and evaluate consumer awareness and common medication use practices towards OTC analgesics, with a focus on the impact of irrational drug use and its implications for public health and safety. This includes identifying gaps in knowledge, evaluating the potential consequences of misuse, and discussing how these findings can inform future educational initiatives and policy development to promote safer medication practices. ⋯ Our study highlights the menace of self-medication practices and irrational use of OTC analgesic by the study participants. Immediate remedial measure need to be taken to discourage self-medication and improve rational use of OTC drugs which can be achieved by focusing on improving the consumers' awareness of self-medication and the rational use of medications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of Perineural Dexmedetomidine in Ultrasound-guided Interscalene Block on Rebound Pain after Shoulder Arthroscopy.
This prospective, randomized, double-blind trial was performed to investigate the effect on rebound pain incidence of mixing dexmedetomidine (DEX) with local anesthetics in a combined injection interscalene block (ISB) during shoulder arthroscopy. ⋯ Perineural DEX added to ISB exerts a beneficial effect on the incidence of rebound pain after ISB in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. Perineural DEX facilitated the implementation of multimodal analgesia in the early stage after operation.