scholarly journals COMPARISON OF PREGABALIN AND NORTRIPTYLINE ON EFFICACY AND SAFETY IN POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA

Author(s):  
KANIKA KHAJURIA ◽  
SEEMA GUPTA ◽  
DEV RAJ DOGRA ◽  
DINESH KUMAR ◽  
VIJAY KHAJURIA

Objectives: Antidepressants and anticonvulsants are most commonly prescribed in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy and safety of pregabalin and nortriptyline in patients of PHN. Methods: The present study was conducted in 48 patients of PHN attending outpatient department of Dermatology, GMC Jammu. After obtaining written consent, the enrolled patients were randomized into two groups, one group was given pregabalin 150 mg orally per day, and other group was treated with nortriptyline 25 mg orally per day and were followed up to 8 weeks. Patients were assessed on numerical rating scale (NRS), Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS). Safety of the drugs was monitored by adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Results: All patients were over 57 years and thoracic dermatome was most affected. Both drugs significantly reduced NRS and LANSS (p<0.0001). However, on comparison pregabalin was found to be better than nortriptyline at 8 weeks on mean NRS (p= 0.0073), LANSS (p=0.0032). Total of six mild ADRs occurred, two in group pregabalin and four in nortriptyline treated group. Conclusion: Both pregabalin and nortriptyline were effective in patients of PHN, but pregabalin was found to be better than nortriptyline at 8 weeks. Both drugs were well tolerated, though pregabalin had lesser number of ADRs.

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002527
Author(s):  
Claire Plunkett

Sialorrhoea or drooling is a distressing and often socially isolating symptom seen in palliative care. Evidence to support efficacy and safety of drug therapy in sialorrhoea is limited. Most drugs, in an adult population, are unlicensed for this indication in the UK including glycopyrronium. A 73-year-old Caucasian man, diagnosed with a right-sided sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma, presented with difficulty in swallowing and sialorrhoea. A glycopyrronium inhaler (administering 55 μg of glycopyrronium bromide/puff) was initiated in the mornings, increasing up to three times per day as tolerated. He reported a significant decrease in his symptoms 2 days after initiation using a numerical rating scale. A regular dose of one puff two times per day completely resolved the patient’s symptoms within 5 days. This case supports the use of inhaled glycopyrronium as a possible therapy for sialorrhoea in palliative care patients. In addition, doses required for resolution of symptoms were significantly lower when compared with systemic dosages.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derick T Wade ◽  
Christine Collin ◽  
Colin Stott ◽  
Paul Duncombe

Objective: To determine the efficacy of Sativex (USAN: nabiximols) in the alleviation of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The results from three randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel group studies were combined for analysis. Patients: 666 patients with multiple sclerosis and spasticity. Measures: A 0—100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, transformed to a 0—10 scale) or a 0—10 Numerical Rating Scale (0—10 NRS) was used to measure spasticity. Patients achieving a ≥30% improvement from baseline in their spasticity score were defined as ‘responders’. Global impression of change (GIC) at the end of treatment was also recorded. Results: The patient populations were similar. The adjusted mean change of the numerical rating scale from baseline in the treated group was —1.30 compared with —0.97 for placebo. Using a linear model, the treatment difference was —0.32 (95% CI —0.61, —0.04, p = 0.026). A statistically significant greater proportion of treated patients were responders (odds ratio (OR) = 1.62, 95% CI 1.15, 2.28; p = 0.0073) and treated patients also reported greater improvement: odds ratio 1.67 (95% CI 1.05, 2.65; p = 0.030). High numbers of subjects experienced at least one adverse event, but most were mild to moderate in severity and all drug-related serious adverse events resolved. Conclusion: The meta-analysis demonstrates that nabiximols is well tolerated and reduces spasticity.


Author(s):  
Mohadesseh Lavaf ◽  
Masoumeh Simbar ◽  
Faraz Mojab ◽  
Hamid Alavi Majd ◽  
Mansoureh Samimi

AbstractBackgroundThis study investigates and compares the effect of phenytoin and honey cream on intensity of pain and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women.MethodsThis research was conducted by double-blinded randomized clinical trial method on 120 nulliparous women in three groups of phenytoin, honey and placebo. After delivery and episiotomy, mothers used a knuckle of the prescribed creams on their episiotomy area, every night until 10-night. Evaluation of wound healing using REEDA scale and pain intensity with numerical rating scale of pain took place within the first 24 h and after 7 and 14 days of delivery.ResultsResults showed significant differences between healing scores of the three groups for the seventh day after delivery. Healing score in the honey group was lower than that in placebo group. On the fourteenth day after delivery, the healing scores showed no significant differences between the three groups. Measuring pain intensity did not show any significant difference in the three groups after 7 and 14 days of delivery.ConclusionsBoth honey and phenytoin led to episiotomy wound healing; however, honey caused the wound healing better than the phenytoin. Honey and phenytoin did not reduce episiotomy pain.


Author(s):  
V. Sreedhar ◽  
L. Reddenna ◽  
T. Rajavardhana ◽  
J. Thippe Rudra ◽  
E. Pavan Kumar ◽  
...  

There are diverse studies which afford evidences that risperidone is as effective as second generation antipsychotics in treating positive symptoms and more effective in treatment of negative symptoms. This study is intended to find the clinical efficacy and safety profile of lurasidone comparing with risperidone, a drug in common use nowadays. Patients aged between 18 to 60yrs, Patients with new onset of symptoms who fulfil the ICD-10 criteria for a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia and Patients having a total PANSS score of ≥80 including a score ≥4 (moderate) on two or more of positive subscale at baseline. Patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia who remained drug free for at least last 6 months also included. Demographic data of the patients were collected. Baseline investigations like BP, complete blood count, lipid profile, blood sugar, renal function test and liver function test were done. Severity of schizophrenia at baseline was assessed using positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS). Patients were randomized by using computer generated random table in 1:1 ratio as group A and group B, with 25 patients in each group. The efficacy of group A and group B was analysed by applying rating scale Positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) at the end of 4 and 6 weeks. Adverse drug reactions were recorded and monitored by interviewing with patients, by physical examination and also by necessary lab investigations at the end of 6 weeks. Patients were insisted to maintain a diary to note any new occurrence of adverse drug reactions in between the follow up period. Suspected adverse drug reactions were documented in predesigned reporting form. In PANSS positive scale both groups had significant decrease in PANSS score both at week 4 and week 6 (p<0.05). Lurasidone is as equally efficacious as risperidone in reducing PANSS score, but produces less metabolic syndrome and other adverse effects than risperidone.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-21
Author(s):  
Mani Mofidi ◽  
Ali Dashti ◽  
Mahdi Rezai ◽  
Niloufar Ghodrati ◽  
Hoorolnesa Ameli ◽  
...  

Introduction: This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of intravenous morphine with nebulized morphine in pain relief of patients referring to the emergency setting with traumatic musculoskeletal pain. Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical study evaluated 160 patients 18 to 65 years of age with acute traumatic pain, who attended the emergency department during 2019. Subjects were assessed with Numerical Rating Scale based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly divided into two groups. In one group, 80 patients received IV morphine (0.1 mg/kg+5 mL normal saline) plus an equivalent volume of IV placebo. In the second group, 80 patients received nebulized morphine (0.2 mg/kg+5 mL normal saline) plus nebulized placebo. Pain score was monitored in all patients with Numerical Rating Scale before and after intervention at baseline, 15, 30, 45, and 60-minute intervals. Patients’ vital signs and possible adverse events were evaluated in each observation time points. Finally, all participants were assessed for their satisfaction with pain management. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis for continuous variables and Binomial test for categorical variables Results: There was no significant difference between the demographic characteristics of patients in study groups. Pain relief between the two groups was similar during the observation (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 min) (P>0.05). There were no changes in vital signs between two groups, although the nebulized group had lower systolic blood pressure at the time-point of 15 minutes after the treatment initiation (P=0.03). Conclusion: Although Nebulized morphine has similar efficacy in comparison with IV route, nebulization might be considered as the clinically efficacious route of morphine administration with minimal side effects, providing optimal pain relief in patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 1028-1035

Background: Craniotomy causes acute and chronic pain. Uncontrolled postoperative pain may lead to adverse events. Perioperative scalp nerves block is not only effective in reducing intraoperative hemodynamic response, but it also reduces postoperative pain and postoperative analgesia requirement. Objective: To compare the benefits of adding dexmedetomidine to levobupivacaine in scalp nerves block before craniotomy for the duration of analgesia in supratentorial craniotomy. Materials and Methods: After approval by the Committee for Research, 50 supratentorial craniotomy patients were randomized into two groups. The control group received 30 mL scalp nerves block with 0.25% levobupivacaine with adrenaline 1:200,000, whereas the study group received 30 mL scalp nerves block with 0.25% levobupivacaine with adrenaline 1:200,000 plus dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg. The primary outcome was the time to first analgesic requirement postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included intraoperative fentanyl consumption, verbal numerical rating scale, tramadol consumption, and complications during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Results: Patients in the study group had significantly increase time to the first analgesic requirement in postoperative period and reduced intraoperative fentanyl consumption. The median time to first analgesic requirement was 555 (360 to 1,035) minutes in the study group versus 405 (300 to 520) minutes in the control group (p=0.023). Intraoperative fentanyl consumption 125 (75 to 175) mcg in the study group was significantly lower than 200 (150 to 250) mcg in the control group (p=0.02). The verbal numerical rating scale at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively, tramadol consumption, and complications during the first 24 hours postoperatively were not statistically significant different. Conclusion: Preoperative scalp nerves block with 0.25% levobupivacaine with adrenaline (1:200,000) with dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg significantly increased the time to first analgesic requirement and reduced intraoperative fentanyl consumption compared to 0.25% levobupivacaine with adrenaline (1:200,000) without perioperative complications. Keywords: Scalp block, Dexmedetomidine, Post-craniotomy analgesia, Supratentorial tumor, Levobupivacaine


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Marzo-Ortega ◽  
Chiara Perella ◽  
Denis Poddubnyy ◽  
Effie Pournara ◽  
Agnieszka Zielińska ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Aims  SKIPPAIN (NCT03136861) is the first randomised controlled study involving a biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, with a primary endpoint of spinal pain at Week 8 in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA; ankylosing spondylitis [AS] and non-radiographic [nr]-axSpA). We present the 24-week results of secukinumab in reducing spinal pain and disease activity following step-up dosing. Methods  This double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3b study enrolled patients (aged ≥18 years) with active disease (BASDAI ≥4; average spinal pain numerical rating scale [NRS] score &gt;4 at baseline; inadequate response to ≥ 2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ≥4 weeks). Patients were randomised (3:1) to subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg or placebo weekly followed by every 4 weeks (Q4W) from Week 4. At Week 8, placebo patients were re-randomised to secukinumab 150 or 300 mg Q4W. Patients originally randomised to secukinumab 150 mg were classified as responders or non-responders (spinal pain NRS score &lt;4 or ≥ 4, respectively) at Week 8. Responders were re-assigned to continue doubleblind secukinumab 150 mg Q4W (Arm A1). Non-responders were re-randomised to double-blind secukinumab 150 mg (Arm A2) or a step-up dose of 300 mg (Arm A3) Q4W. Treatment was up to Week 24. Primary endpoint: proportion of patients achieving an average spinal pain score &lt;4 on a 0-10 NRS with secukinumab vs placebo at Week 8. Results  380 axSpA patients (269/380 [70.8%] AS; 111/380 [29.2%] nr-axSpA) were randomised to secukinumab 150 mg (N = 285) or placebo (N = 95). The primary endpoint was met (proportion of spinal pain NRS [average] score responders: 32% vs 20%; odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.9 [1.1-3.3] favouring secukinumab vs placebo; P &lt; 0.05). Further reductions in spinal pain occurred at Week 24, especially in those initially randomised to placebo and switched to active drug. Pronounced improvements were observed in other disease activity measurements (Table 1). Numerically, more patients achieved ASDAS low disease activity at Week 24 post-secukinumab dose escalation (Arm A3) vs those remaining on the same dose (Arm A2). Conclusion  Secukinumab provided rapid, significant improvement in spinal pain and led to low disease activity in axSpA patients. Secukinumab dose escalation might be beneficial for patients not responding fully to the starting dose. P188 Table 1:Spinal pain and ASDAS-CRP scores at Weeks 8 and 24Week 8SEC 150 mg (N = 285)PBO (N = 95)Change from baseline in spinal pain NRS score (total), mean (SD) [n]-2.6 (2.5) [279]-1.5 (2.2) [92]Change from baseline in ASDAS-CRP score, mean (SD) [n]-1.2 (1.0) [271]-0.5 (0.8) [89]Week 24Active treatment group (SEC treatment starting at baseline)PBO switchers group (SEC treatment starting at Week 8)Arm A1 (SEC 150 R-150) N = 90Arm A2 (SEC 150 NR-150) N = 94Arm A3 (SEC 150 NR-300) N = 94Arm B1 (PBO-SEC 150) N = 45Arm B2 (PBO-SEC 300) N = 44Change from Week 8 in spinal pain NRS score (total), mean (SD) [n]-0.4 (1.5) [88]-2.1 (2.2) [93]-1.9 (2.2) [91]-2.5 (2.6) [45]-2.9 (2.6) [43]Change from baseline in ASDAS-CRP score, mean (SD) [n]-2.2 (1.0) [86]-1.2 (1.0) [93]-1.5 (1.0) [92]-1.5 (1.1) [44]-1.8 (0.9) [43]Arm A1=SEC responder to SEC 150 mg at Week 8 (SEC 150 R-150); Arm A2=SEC non-responder to SEC 150 mg at Week 8 (SEC 150 NR-150); Arm A3=SEC non-responder to SEC 300 mg at Week 8 (SEC 150 NR-300); Arm B1=Placebo patients to SEC 150 mg (PBO-SEC 150); Arm B2=Placebo patients to SEC 300 mg (PBO-SEC 300). ASDAS-CRP, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score using C-reactive protein; N, total number of patients randomised; n, number of evaluable patients; NR, non-responders; NRS, numerical rating scale; PBO, placebo; R, responders; SD, standard deviation; SEC, secukinumab. Disclosure  H. Marzo-Ortega: Consultancies; AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB. Member of speakers’ bureau; AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Takeda, UCB. Grants/research support; Janssen, Novartis. C. Perella: Corporate appointments; Employee of Novartis. Shareholder/stock ownership; Novartis Stock. D. Poddubnyy: Consultancies; Consultant/speaker for: AbbVie, BMS, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB. Grants/research support; AbbVie, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer. E. Pournara: Corporate appointments; Employee of Novartis. Shareholder/stock ownership; Novartis Stock. A. Zielińska: Consultancies; Novartis, Pfizer. A. Baranauskaite: Consultancies; AbbVie. Member of speakers’ bureau; Novartis, AbbVie, Amgen, Roche, KRKA. S. Sadhu: Corporate appointments; Employee of Novartis. B. Schulz: Corporate appointments; Employee of Novartis. M. Rissler: Corporate appointments; Employee of Novartis. Shareholder/stock ownership; Novartis Stock.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1186-1194
Author(s):  
Sheila Glenn ◽  
Helen Poole ◽  
Paula Oulton

Accurate assessment of pain by health-care professionals is essential to ensure optimal management of pain. An under-researched area is whether personality characteristics affect perception of pain in others. The aims were (a) to determine whether individual differences are associated with participants’ ability to assess pain, and (b) to determine facial cues used in the assessment of pain. One hundred and twenty-eight undergraduate students participated. They completed questionnaire assessments of empathy, pain catastrophizing, sensory sensitivity and emotional intelligence. They then viewed and rated four adult facial images (no, medium, and high pain—12 images total) using a 0–10 numerical rating scale, and noted the reasons for their ratings. (a) Empathy was the only characteristic associated with accuracy of pain assessment. (b) Descriptions of eyes and mouth, and eyes alone were most commonly associated with assessment accuracy. This was the case despite variations in the expression of pain in the four faces. Future studies could evaluate the effect on accuracy of pain assessment of (a) training empathic skills for pain assessment, and (b) emphasizing attention to the eyes, and eyes and mouth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Deng ◽  
Xiao-min Hou ◽  
Xu-yan Zhou ◽  
Qing-he Zhou

Abstract Background Rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) and Rhomboid intercostal block with sub-serratus plane block (RISS) are the two types of plane blocks used for postoperative analgesia after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This prospective randomized controlled trial was performed to analyze the postoperative analgesic effects of ultrasound-guided RIB block and RISS block after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Methods Ninety patients aged between 18 and 80 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Classes I–II and scheduled for elective unilateral VATS were randomly allocated into three groups. In group C, no block intervention was performed. Patients in group RIB received ultrasound-guided RIB with 20-mL 0.375% ropivacaine and those in group RISS received ultrasound-guided RIB and serratus plane block using a total of 40-mL 0.375% ropivacaine. All patients received intravenous sufentanil patient-controlled analgesia upon arrival in the recovery room. Postoperative sufentanil consumption and pain scores were compared among the groups. Results The dosages of sufentanil consumption at 24 h after the surgery in the RIB and RISS groups were significantly lower than that in group C (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 for all comparisons, respectively), the postoperative Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores in the RIB and RISS groups at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after surgery when patients were at rest or active were significantly lower than that in group C (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). The required dosage of sufentanil and time to first postoperative analgesic request in groupRISS were less than those in the group RIB at 24 h after the surgery (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 for all comparisons, respectively). Similarly, the Numerical Rating Scale scores for group RISS at 12, 18, and 24 h after the surgery when the patients were active were significantly lower than those for group RIB (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusion Both ultrasound-guided RIB block and RISS block can effectively reduce the demand for sufentanil within 24 h after VATS, and less sufentanil dosage is needed in patient with RISS block. Ultrasound-guided RIB block and RISS block can effectively relieve pain within 24 h after VATS, and RISS block is more effective.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Gi Min ◽  
Hyun Seok Baek ◽  
Kyoung-Min Lee ◽  
Yoon-Ho Hong

AbstractScrambler therapy is a noninvasive electroanalgesia technique designed to remodulate the pain system. Despite growing evidence of its efficacy in patients with neuropathic pain, little is known about the clinical factors associated with treatment outcome. We conducted a prospective, open-label, single-arm trial to assess the efficacy and safety of scrambler therapy in patients with chronic neuropathic pain of various etiologies. A post-hoc analysis was performed to investigate whether cluster analysis of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) profiles could identify a subgroup of patients regarding neuropathic pain phenotype and treatment outcome. Scrambler therapy resulted in a significant decrease in the pain numerical rating scale (NRS) score over 2 weeks of treatment (least squares mean of percentage change from baseline, − 15%; 95% CI − 28% to − 2.4%; p < 0.001). The mean score of Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) interference subdimension was also significantly improved (p = 0.022), while the BPI pain composite score was not. Hierarchical clustering based on the NPSI profiles partitioned the patients into 3 clusters with distinct neuropathic pain phenotypes. Linear mixed-effects model analyses revealed differential response to scrambler therapy across clusters (p = 0.003, pain NRS; p = 0.072, BPI interference subdimension). Treatment response to scrambler therapy appears different depending on the neuropathic pain phenotypes, with more favorable outcomes in patients with preferentially paroxysmal pain rather than persistent pain. Further studies are warranted to confirm that capturing neuropathic pain phenotypes can optimize the use of scrambler therapy.


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