scholarly journals OASIS—a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of oral glucocorticoids for leg pain in patients with acute sciatica: trial protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e040559
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Christina Abdel Shaheed ◽  
Andrew J McLachlan ◽  
Jane Latimer ◽  
Qiang Li ◽  
...  

IntroductionSciatica is a lower spine condition characterised by radiating leg pain below the knee. It may be accompanied by motor and sensory loss in the distribution of a spinal nerve. There are few effective treatments for sciatica. Orally administered glucocorticoids have shown some promise, however, any beneficial effects need to be confirmed and weighed against drug safety and cost-effectiveness, in a high-quality, definitive trial.Methods and analysisThe Oral Steroids In Sciatica (OASIS) trial is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial that will evaluate a tapering regimen of oral prednisolone in 200 participants with acute sciatica. Participants will be recruited on presentation to general practice, specialist outpatient clinics or hospital emergency departments and randomised to receive orally administered prednisolone 50 mg per day, up to 3 days then tapering to cessation over 10 days, or placebo, for a maximum of 13 days, in addition to guideline advice. Participants will be followed for 1 year. The primary endpoint will be leg pain intensity at 2 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include back pain intensity, disability, time to recovery, quality of life and treatment success rate. Adverse events will be assessed and a cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted from the Human Research Ethics Committee, The University of Sydney. Trial results will be disseminated by publications and conference presentations and via the media.Trial registration numberACTRN12619001716156.

1988 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kristensen ◽  
K. Tveteraas ◽  
P. Hein ◽  
H. B. Poulsen ◽  
K. E. Outzen

AbstractThe pain-relieving efficacy of naproxen and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in tonsillectomized patients was compared in a double blind parallel clinical trial comprising 83 patients, among whom 42 were treated with naproxen and 41 with ASA. The patients were treated post-operatively for two days with either naproxen suppositories 500 mg. twice, or ASA effervescent tablets 1000 mg. three times, daily.The therapeutic gain was evaluated by recording the intensity of pain, reduced ability to open the mouth (trismus), consumption of supplementary analgesic (parcetamol), and pain-related sleep disturbances.The statistical analysis of the results revealed no differences in pain intensity, consumption of additional analgesics or pain-related sleep disturbances in the two treatment groups. A considerable degree of trismus was demonstrated in most of the tonsillectomized patients. This reduced ability to open the mouth was gradually overcome in the naproxen group while it remained unchanged in the ASA group, however, no statistical significant difference could be demonstrated. Additionally, no significant positive correlation between pain intensity and trismus was proven. The pain-relieving effect, however, was unsatisfactory in both the naproxen and the ASA group, and clinical controlled trial studies of alternative analgetics in tonsillectomized patients are still to be encouraged.


2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 1991-1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROY D. ALTMAN ◽  
RENÉE-LILIANE DREISER ◽  
CHESTER L. FISHER ◽  
WALTER F. CHASE ◽  
DONATUS S. DREHER ◽  
...  

Objective.To measure the efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium gel in patients with primary hand osteoarthritis (OA).Methods.In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, men and women aged ≥ 40 years diagnosed with primary OA in the dominant hand were randomly assigned to self-apply topical 1% diclofenac sodium gel (Voltaren® Gel) (n = 198) or vehicle (n = 187) to both hands 4 times daily for 8 weeks. Primary outcome measures included OA pain intensity (100-mm visual analog scale), total Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN) score, and global rating of disease activity at 4 and 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included onset of efficacy in Weeks 1 and 2, durability of efficacy at 8 weeks, measures of disease activity in the dominant hand, pain intensity in the non-dominant hand, AUSCAN subindices, end of study rating of efficacy, and Osteoarthritis Research Society International response criteria.Results.Diclofenac sodium gel decreased pain intensity scores by 42%–45%, total AUSCAN scores by 35%–40%, and global rating of disease by 36%–40%. Significant differences favoring diclofenac sodium gel over vehicle were observed at Week 4 for pain intensity and AUSCAN, with a trend for global rating of disease activity. At Week 6, diclofenac sodium gel treatment significantly improved each primary outcome measure compared with vehicle. Secondary outcomes generally supported the primary outcomes. The most common treatment-related adverse event (AE) was application-site paresthesia. Most AE were mild. No cardiac events, gastrointestinal bleeding, or ulcers were reported.Conclusion.Topical diclofenac sodium gel was generally well tolerated and effective in primary hand OA. (NCT ID: NCT00171665)


2016 ◽  
Vol 1;19 (1;1) ◽  
pp. E79-E86
Author(s):  
Rioko K. Sakata

Background: Adequate analgesia is important for early hospital discharge after meniscectomy. A femoral nerve block may reduce the need for systemic analgesics, with fewer side effects; however, motor block can occur. Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block may reduce the required local anesthetic concentration, preventing motor block. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the lowest effective analgesic concentration of bupivacaine in 50% (EC50) and in 90% (EC90) of patients for a successful ultrasoundguided femoral nerve block in arthroscopic knee meniscectomy. Study Design: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Settings: This study was conducted at Hospital São Domingos. Methods: A total of 52 patients undergoing arthroscopic knee meniscectomy were submitted to ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block using 22 mL bupivacaine. The bupivacaine concentration given to a study patient was determined by the response of the previous patient (a biased-coin design up–down sequential method). If the previous patient had a negative response, the bupivacaine concentration was increased by 0.05% for the next case. If the previous patient had a positive response, the next patient was randomized to receive the same bupivacaine concentration (with a probability of 0.89) or to have a decrease by 0.05% (with a probability of 0.11). A successful block was defined by a numerical pain intensity scale score < 4 (0 = no pain; 10 = worst imaginable pain) in 3 different evaluations. If the pain intensity score was ≥ 4 (moderate or severe pain) at any time, the block was considered failed. General anesthesia was induced with 30 μg/kg alfentanil and 2 mg/ kg propofol, followed by propofol maintanance, plus remifentanil if needed. Postoperative analgesia supplementation was performed with dipyrone; ketoprofen and tramadol were given if needed. Data Measurements: The following parameters were evaluated: numerical pain intensity score, duration of analgesia, supplementary analgesic dose in 24 hours, and need for intraoperative remifentanil. Results: The EC50 was 0.160 (95% CI: 0.150 – 0.189), and EC90 was 0.271 (95% CI: 0.196 – 0.300). There was no difference in numerical pain intensity score for the different concentrations of bupivacaine. A successful block was achieved in 45 patients, with no difference according to bupivacaine concentration. Time to first analgesic supplementation dose was longer for bupivacaine concentrations ≥ 0.3% (543.8 ± 283.8 min.), compared to 0.25% (391.3 ± 177.8 min.) and < 0.25% (302.3 ± 210.1 min.). There were no differences in supplementary analgesic dose in 24 hours nor in the use of intraoperative remifentanil according to bupivacaine concentration. Limitations: The analgesic effect was measured only during the first 2 hours. Conclusions: Bupivacaine EC50 for ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block was 0.160 (95% CI: 0.150 – 0.189), and EC90 was 0.271 (95% CI: 0.196 – 0.300). Key words: Postoperative analgesia, femoral block, ultrasound-guided, bupivacaíne minimum concentration, arthroscopic meniscectomy


1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Glick ◽  
Richard Willke ◽  
Daniel Polsky ◽  
Ted Llana ◽  
Wayne M. Alves ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study used data from a multinational phase III randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of tirilazad mesylate (Freedox®) in the treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. In men, therapy with 6 mg/kg per day of tirilazad mesylate was associated with significantly increased survival, increased cost of care, and ratios of cost per death averted that compare favorably with the ratios of other life and death interventions. In women, it appeared to have no effects on costs or survival. Further clinical studies may provide additional information about the cost-effectiveness of this intervention.


Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debashish Mishra ◽  
Varun Dhir ◽  
G S R S N K Naidu ◽  
Aastha Khullar ◽  
Vishal Kumar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a step-down regimen of oral prednisolone over 24 weeks in patients of axial SpA (axSpA). Methods This proof-of-concept double-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with active axSpA (BASDAI ≥4) having predominantly axial disease (≤1 active joint currently) and inadequate response to NSAIDs. They were randomized to receive either oral prednisolone (n = 32) or placebo (n = 33) at a dose of 60, 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 mg daily for 1 week each, following which they received 5 mg prednisolone (or placebo) daily for 18 weeks. The primary endpoint was a 50% improvement in the BASDAI (BASDAI50) at week 24. Analysis was intention to treat. Results A BASDAI50 was achieved by 12 of 32 patients (37.5%) in the prednisolone arm and 3 of 33 patients (9.1%) in the placebo arm at 24 weeks [difference 28.4% (95% CI 7.9, 46.7)]. However, there was no difference in achieving a 20 or 40% improvement in the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society response between the groups. Although there was a significant intergroup difference in adjusted ΔBASDAI and ΔAnkylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with CRP at 24 weeks, there was no difference at 12 weeks. There was also no significant difference in ΔBASFI, ΔBAS-G or ΔBASMI at 12 or 24 weeks. No serious adverse events were noted. There was significant weight gain in the first 12 weeks in the prednisolone group vs placebo [0.9 (s.d. 0.4) kg], but not at 24 weeks. Conclusions In this small study, oral prednisolone was efficacious in axSpA in achieving the primary outcome, but many crucial secondary outcomes such as functional improvement were not met. Its impact on bone loss was not studied. Trial registration: CTRI/2018/01/011342.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2528-2538
Author(s):  
John R Zuniga ◽  
Athena S Papas ◽  
Stephen E Daniels ◽  
Kyle Patrick ◽  
Derek D Muse ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the prevention of opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) and the relief of moderate to severe acute pain by CL-108, a novel drug combining a low-dose antiemetic (rapid-release promethazine 12.5 mg) with hydrocodone 7.5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg (HC/APAP) was used. Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled multidose study. After surgical extraction of two or more impacted third molar teeth (including at least one mandibular impaction), 466 patients with moderate to severe pain (measured on a categorical pain intensity scale [PI-CAT]) were randomized to CL-108, HC/APAP, or placebo. Over the next 24 hours, patients used the PI-CAT to assess pain at regular intervals whereas nausea, vomiting, and other opioid-related side effects were also assessed prospectively. Study medications were taken every four to six hours as needed; supplemental rescue analgesic and antiemetic medications were permitted. Co-primary end points were the incidence of OINV and the time-weighted sum of pain intensity differences over 24 hours (SPID24). Results Relative to HC/APAP treatment alone, CL-108 treatment reduced OINV by 64% (P &lt; 0.001). Treatment with CL-108 significantly reduced pain intensity compared with placebo (SPID24 = 16.2 vs 3.5, P &lt; 0.001). There were no unexpected or serious adverse events. Conclusions CL-108 is a safe and effective combination analgesic/antiemetic for the prevention of OINV during treatment of moderate to severe acute pain.


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