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Chronic Opioid Therapy: A Scoping Literature Review on Evolving Clinical and Scientific Definitions.The Journal of Pain Mar 2021The management of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) with chronic opioid therapy (COT) is controversial. There is a lack of consensus on how COT is defined resulting in...
The management of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) with chronic opioid therapy (COT) is controversial. There is a lack of consensus on how COT is defined resulting in unclear clinical guidance. This scoping review identifies and evaluates evolving COT definitions throughout the published clinical and scientific literature. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. A total of 227 studies were identified from 8,866 studies published between January 2000 and July 2019. COT definitions were classified by pain population of application and specific dosage/duration definition parameters, with results reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Approximately half of studies defined COT as "days' supply duration >90 days" and 9.3% defined as ">120 days' supply," with other days' supply cut-off points (>30, >60, or >70) each appearing in <5% of total studies. COT was defined by number of prescriptions in 63 studies, with 16.3% and 11.0% using number of initiations or refills, respectively. Few studies explicitly distinguished acute treatment and COT. Episode duration/dosage criteria was used in 90 studies, with 7.5% by Morphine Milligram Equivalents + days' supply and 32.2% by other "episode" combination definitions. COT definitions were applied in musculoskeletal CNCP (60.8%) most often, and typically in adults aged 18 to 64 (69.6%). The usage of ">90 days' supply" COT definitions increased from 3.2 publications/year before 2016 to 20.7 publications/year after 2016. An increasing proportion of studies define COT as ">90 days' supply." The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria, suggesting that contemporary COT definitions are increasingly conservative. PERSPECTIVE: This study summarized the most common, current definition criteria for chronic opioid therapy (COT) and recommends adoption of consistent definition criteria to be utilized in practice and research. The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria overall, suggesting that COT definition criteria are increasingly stringent.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Chronic Pain; Drug Prescriptions; Humans; Practice Patterns, Physicians'
PubMed: 33031943
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.09.002 -
BMC Geriatrics Oct 2019Older surgical patients are at high risk of developing postoperative delirium. Non-pharmacological strategies are recommended for delirium prevention, but no... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Older surgical patients are at high risk of developing postoperative delirium. Non-pharmacological strategies are recommended for delirium prevention, but no pharmacological agents have compelling evidence to decrease the incidence of delirium. The purpose of this study was to assess whether perioperative melatonin decreases the incidence of delirium in older adults undergoing surgical procedures.
METHODS
A systematic search using PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and references of identified articles published in English between January 1990 and October 2017 was performed. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and then extracted data following a full-text review of included articles with consensus generation and bias assessment. Studies reporting outcomes for melatonin or ramelteon use to prevent delirium in postoperative hospitalized patients (mean age ≥ 50 years) were eligible for inclusion. Data were pooled using a fixed-effects model to generate a forest plot and obtain a summary odds ratio for the outcome of interest (delirium incidence). Cochran's Q and I values were used to investigate heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Of 335 records screened, 6 studies were selected for the qualitative analysis and 6 were included in the meta-analysis (n = 1155). The mean age of patients in included studies ranged from 59 to 84 years. Patients in intervention groups typically received melatonin or ramelteon at daily doses of two to eight milligrams around cardiothoracic, orthopedic, or hepatic surgeries for one to nine days, starting on the evening before or the day of surgery. The incidence of delirium ranged from 0 to 30% in the intervention groups versus 4-33% in the comparator groups, and was significantly reduced in the melatonin group, with a summary effect of the meta-analysis yielding an odds ratio of 0.63 (95% CI 0.46 to 0.87; 0.006; I = 72.1%). A one study removed analysis reduced overall odds ratio to 0.310 (95% CI 0.19 to 0.50), while reducing heterogeneity (Cochran's Q = 0.798, I = 0.000).
CONCLUSION
Perioperative melatonin reduced the incidence of delirium in older adults in the included studies. While optimal dosing remains an unanswered question, the potential benefit of melatonin and melatonin receptor agonists may make them a reasonable option to use for delirium prevention in older adults undergoing surgical procedures.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Central Nervous System Depressants; Delirium; Humans; Incidence; Melatonin; Middle Aged; Postoperative Cognitive Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31619178
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-019-1297-6 -
Sports Health 2020The prescription of opioids after elective surgical procedures has been a contributing factor to the current opioid epidemic in North America.
CONTEXT
The prescription of opioids after elective surgical procedures has been a contributing factor to the current opioid epidemic in North America.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the opioid prescribing practices and rates of opioid consumption among patients undergoing common sports medicine procedures.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic review of the electronic databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed was performed from database inception to December 2018.
STUDY SELECTION
Two investigators independently identified all studies reporting on postoperative opioid prescribing practices and consumption after arthroscopic shoulder, knee, or hip surgery. A total of 119 studies were reviewed, with 8 meeting eligibility criteria.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 4.
DATA EXTRACTION
The quantity of opioids prescribed and used were converted to milligram morphine equivalents (MMEs) for standardized reporting. The quality of each eligible study was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies.
RESULTS
A total of 8 studies including 816 patients with a mean age of 43.8 years were eligible for inclusion. A mean of 610, 197, and 613 MMEs were prescribed to patients after arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder, knee, and hip, respectively. At final follow-up, 31%, 34%, and 64% of the prescribed opioids provided after shoulder, knee, and hip arthroscopy, respectively, still remained. The majority of patients (64%) were unaware of the appropriate disposal methods for surplus medication. Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair had the highest opioid consumption (471 MMEs), with 1 in 4 patients receiving a refill.
CONCLUSION
Opioids are being overprescribed for arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder, knee, and hip, with more than one-third of prescribed opioids remaining postoperatively. The majority of patients are unaware of the appropriate disposal techniques for surplus opioids. Appropriate risk stratification tools and evidence-based recommendations regarding pain management strategies after arthroscopic procedures are needed to help curb the growing opioid crisis.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Arthroscopy; Athletic Injuries; Hip Injuries; Humans; Knee Injuries; Pain Management; Pain, Postoperative; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Prescription Drug Overuse; Shoulder Injuries
PubMed: 32271136
DOI: 10.1177/1941738120913293 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024. This paper aims to estimate asymptomatic hip osteonecrosis prevalence in SLE patients using MRI examination and to determine the prevalence among higher risk... (Review)
Review
. This paper aims to estimate asymptomatic hip osteonecrosis prevalence in SLE patients using MRI examination and to determine the prevalence among higher risk subpopulations. . PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and SCOPUS were searched from inception to May 9th, 2023. Studies on patients who were clinically diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus without reported symptoms attributable to hip osteonecrosis were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Data collected from each study include the study year, the number of hips screened, the number of hips with osteonecrosis, demographics, laboratory data, medications, follow-up time, radiological protocols, and MRI-based osteonecrosis detection and grading criteria. . Eleven eligible studies including 503 participants (15-35 years old; 74-100% female) with SLE were identified. Significant risk of bias was determined in one study. The overall prevalence of osteonecrosis of the hip was found to be 14% (184/1006 hip joints, 95% confidence interval: 7-22%, number needed to scan: 7.1). SLE patients who received corticosteroid treatment had a higher prevalence of asymptomatic hip osteonecrosis (18%) compared to non-corticosteroid users (0%, -value < 0.01). Additionally, meta-regression results revealed that daily corticosteroid dose was associated with increased prevalence of asymptomatic osteonecrosis (0.5%/milligram, -value < 0.01). . The high prevalence of asymptomatic hip osteonecrosis in SLE patients raises concerns about the timeliness of interventions. The limitations of this study include a relatively low number of identified studies; and one study lacked full-text availability.
PubMed: 38337795
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14030279 -
BMC Anesthesiology Jun 2022Systematic reviews associate peripheral nerve blocks based on anatomic landmarks or nerve stimulation with reduced pain and need for systemic analgesia in hip fracture... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Systematic reviews associate peripheral nerve blocks based on anatomic landmarks or nerve stimulation with reduced pain and need for systemic analgesia in hip fracture patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks compared to conventional analgesia for preoperative pain management in hip fractures. Five databases were searched until June 2021 to identify randomised controlled trials. Two independent authors extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Data was pooled for meta-analysis and quality of evidence was evaluated using Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). We included 12 trials (976 participants) comparing ultrasound-guided nerve blocks to conventional systemic analgesia. In favour of ultrasound, pain measured closest to two hours after block placement decreased with a mean difference of -2.26 (VAS 0 to 10); (p < 0.001) 95% CI [-2.97 to -1.55]. In favour of ultrasound, preoperative analgesic usage of iv. morphine equivalents in milligram decreased with a mean difference of -5.34 (p=0.003) 95% CI [-8.11 to -2.58]. Time from admission until surgery ranged from six hours to more than three days. Further, ultrasound-guided nerve blocks may be associated with a lower frequency of delirium: risk ratio 0.6 (p = 0.03) 95% CI [0.38 to 0.94], fewer serious adverse events: risk ratio 0.33 (p = 0.006) 95% CI [0.15 to 0.73] and higher patient satisfaction: mean difference 25.9 (VAS 0 to 100) (p < 0.001) 95% CI [19.74 to 32.07]. However, the quality of evidence was judged low or very low. In conclusion, despite low quality of evidence, ultrasound-guided blocks were associated with benefits compared to conventional systemic analgesia.
Topics: Hip Fractures; Humans; Pain; Pain Management; Pain, Postoperative; Peripheral Nerves; Ultrasonography, Interventional
PubMed: 35729489
DOI: 10.1186/s12871-022-01720-7 -
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia Feb 2024Rectus sheath block (RSB) is an effective postoperative pain control technique in abdominal surgical procedures. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and...
Investigation into the clinical performance of rectus sheath block in reducing postoperative pain following surgical intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Rectus sheath block (RSB) is an effective postoperative pain control technique in abdominal surgical procedures. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and outcome data of patients undergoing RSB compared to the standard of care in both laparoscopic and open surgical procedures.
METHODS
This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022372596). The search was restricted to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing RSB effectiveness on postoperative pain to any standard general anaesthesia technique (control). We systematically explored PubMed, Medline, Central, Scopus and Web of Science for RCTs from inception to September 2023. The primary outcome was the evaluation of pain scores at rest 0-2, 10-12 and 12-24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcome was the analysis of postoperative intravenous (IV) morphine equivalent consumption at 24-h. A risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (ROB 2.0, Cochrane, Copenhagen, Denmark) assessment and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE, Cochrane, Copenhagen, Denmark) analysis was conducted to evaluate the quality of the RCTs.
RESULTS
Twenty RCTs involving 708 participants who received RSB intervention and 713 who received alternative analgesic care were included. RSB pain scores were significantly lower than control at 0-2 h ( < 0.001) and 10-12 h ( < 0.001) postoperatively. No significant effect was observed at 24 h ( = 0.11). RSB performance compared to control in 24-h IV morphine equivalency in milligrams was significantly lower ( < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
RSB implementation was associated with reduced postoperative pain scores and decreased opioid consumption in IV morphine equivalency up to 24 h following surgical intervention.
PubMed: 38435659
DOI: 10.4103/ija.ija_1099_23 -
Pain Physician Nov 2019Opioid medications are frequently used effectively for analgesia in acute settings, however, they are associated with dependence and addiction, and were implicated in...
BACKGROUND
Opioid medications are frequently used effectively for analgesia in acute settings, however, they are associated with dependence and addiction, and were implicated in 47,600 American fatalities in 2017. Evidence suggests that despite guidelines and professional body recommendations, acute prescribing remains highly variable. Educational interventions targeting prescribers have potential to optimize prescribing in-line with evidence-based best practice.
OBJECTIVES
To identify the objective impacts of education interventions on opioid prescribing in the acute care setting.
STUDY DESIGN
A systematic literature review.
SETTING
The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane for works published until December 31, 2018. Bibliographies of relevant studies and the gray literature were also searched.
METHODS
Databases were searched for interventional studies (clinical trials and pre- and poststudies). Studies describing an educational intervention delivered to clinicians and reporting at least one objective measure of opioid use in the acute care setting were included. Studies reporting only subjective outcomes and those focused on chronic pain or set in primary care were excluded. Two reviewers (RB, TB) extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies using the Downs and Black Tool.
RESULTS
Nine studies met inclusion criteria; all used pre- and postdesigns. Three studies described stand-alone education, and the others described multifaceted interventions. All 9 interventions significantly reduced at least one of the following: high-risk agent use including meperidine use by up to 71%; total or daily dosage of opioids at discharge, including median morphine milligram equivalence (MME) from 90 mg to 45 mg per patient; and quantity of medications such as oxycodone supplied to patients, halved in one study from 6,170 expected to 2,932 supplied tablets. No increase in pain complaints or prescription refill requests were reported in those studies assessing these outcomes. The longest study examined prescribing 15 months after education delivery, reporting sustained practice changes.
LIMITATIONS
Overall study quality was fair to poor. Significant heterogeneity in settings, patient groups, methodologies, and outcomes prevented pooled quantitative analysis. No studies examined all available opioid agents or formulations.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings support prescriber education as an effective strategy to reduce opioid use and optimize prescribing in acute settings. Further research, particularly high quality randomized studies, describing the impact of education on all available opioid formulations and total MME is required. Reviewing the existing literature has offered useful models that can be implemented to improve care with opioid prescribing in acute settings.
KEY WORDS
Opioids, education, physician education, prescriber education, opioid education, opioid prescribing, systematic review, prescriptions, prevention.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Drug Prescriptions; Humans; Opioid-Related Disorders; Oxycodone; Pain; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 31775401
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Managed Care & Specialty... Jan 2022Benzodiazepines are indicated for the treatment of many conditions, such as anxiety disorders, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, agitation, movement disorders, and...
Benzodiazepines are indicated for the treatment of many conditions, such as anxiety disorders, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, agitation, movement disorders, and epilepsy, and are one of the most frequently prescribed medication classes. This class of medication has important safety considerations, including an increased risk of dependence and addiction, falls, and death from opioid overdose. Although benzodiazepine safety and prescribing encompasses a rich and important research area, there is a lack of pharmacoepidemiologic literature addressing benzodiazepine dosing intensity in real-world settings. To develop and apply a standardized benzodiazepine milligram equivalency conversion algorithm and assess the dose intensity of benzodiazepine use in Rhode Island (RI) in 2018. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the most commonly used benzodiazepine equivalency values. We then conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2018 data from the RI Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to calculate the mean daily diazepam milligram equivalency (DME) based on a patient's most recent dispensing. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between higher benzodiazepine doses (≥ 15 DME/day) and recipient characteristics, including concurrent use of opioids or stimulants. We identified 143,026 patients who received at least 1 prescription for a benzodiazepine in RI in 2018. The mean (SD) daily DME was 10.60 (9.05), and 26.2% of individuals had a mean DME per day of at least 15. Approximately 14% (n = 20,168) of patients prescribed a benzodiazepine had concurrent use with a prescription opioid, and 6.7% (n = 9,547) had concurrent use with a prescription stimulant. Females had a 28% lower adjusted odds of receiving a benzodiazepine dose of at least 15 DME per day compared with males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.70-0.73). The adjusted odds of receiving a benzodiazepine prescription of at least 15 DME per day was lower among the younger (aged 18-34 years) and older age groups (aged 65 years and older) compared with patients aged 35-64 years. Compared with commercial insurance, all other forms of payment had significantly higher adjusted odds of a daily benzodiazepine dose of at least 15 DME per day. The adjusted odds receiving a daily DME of at least 15 was 67% higher among those who also received a concurrent pharmacy dispensing for an opioid and 84% higher among those who also received a concurrent dispensing for a stimulant drug (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.61-1.72; aOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.76-1.93, respectively). Individuals aged 35-64 years with Medicaid insurance and those aged under 65 years with Medicare were more likely to be prescribed a benzodiazepine of at least 15 DME per day. Higher benzodiazepine DMEs were also dispensed to patients who concurrently used prescription opioids or stimulants who may be at increased risk of medication-related harm. We advocate for routine measurement of benzodiazepine dose intensity as a risk reduction strategy. No funding supported this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The content and results of this study are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rhode Island Department of Health. Kogut is partially supported by Institutional Development Award Numbers U54GM115677 and P20GM125507 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, which funds Advance Clinical and Translational Research (Advance-CTR) and the RI Lifespan Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) on Opioids and Overdose, respectively. The content of this study is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Contents of this study were presented as a poster presentation at AMCP 2019 Nexus; October 29-November 1, 2019; National Harbor, MD.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Algorithms; Benzodiazepines; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Rhode Island; Young Adult
PubMed: 34949119
DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.1.58 -
Heliyon Aug 2021Controversy still exists regarding the analgesic efficacy of transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block versus ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric (IL/IH) nerve block for...
BACKGROUND
Controversy still exists regarding the analgesic efficacy of transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block versus ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric (IL/IH) nerve block for postoperative pain management following cesarean section. This meta-analysis aimed to perform relatively credible pooled results on the efficacy of the TAP versus IL/IH nerve block for postoperative pain management after cesarean section.
METHODS
Databases such as: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google scholar, and google were systematically searched. studies compared the analgesic efficacy of TAP versus IL/IH nerve block for postoperative pain management following cesarean section were included. Data were extracted by three reviewers independently by using Microsoft Excel and then exported to STATA™ 16 version statistical software for analysis. We used a random-effects model meta-analysis and the mean difference of analgesic efficacy with a 95 % confidence interval was reported based on Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA).
RESULTS
Five studies with a total of 390 (196 in TAP and 194 in IL/IH) study participants were included in this meta-analysis. No statistically significant difference was observed between the TAP and IL/IH groups in time to first rescue analgesic request, total postoperative analgesic consumption in milligrams of intravenous tramadol equivalence, and post pain severity score at different points of time both rest and movement.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis revealed that both approaches have similar postoperative analgesic efficacy following cesarean section. we recommend that the clinician may consider either approach for post-cesarean section pain management.
PubMed: 34430749
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07774 -
Journal of Hematology Apr 2021While pain is the hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), healthcare personnel are often ill-equipped to adequately treat patients who present in vaso-occlusive crisis...
BACKGROUND
While pain is the hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), healthcare personnel are often ill-equipped to adequately treat patients who present in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Although symptom severity varies from individual to individual, SCD is characterized by intervallic pain as a result of oxygen deprivation in tissues and organs. Regardless of pain severity, SCD patients are often viewed as drug seekers by healthcare personnel who have concerns regarding patients' dependence on opioids which may lead to addiction. The objective was to assess the types and amount of opioids used to treat VOC in comparison to Centers for Disease Control opioid prescription guidelines.
METHODS
Literature search was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and hand search. Data were analyzed from 1999 to 2018. Randomized trials, observational, and case studies involved hospitalized adults with SCD who were prescribed opioids to treat VOC. Quality assessment was conducted using Downs and Black checklist. Meta-analysis was not conducted.
RESULTS
Five studies were conducted in the USA, Arabia and the Netherlands, and the USA and Canada were included. Participants were treated with either morphine or morphine milligram equivalent (MME). No study used the same method of opioid administration.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with SCD who are hospitalized secondary to VOC mostly received opioids for pain well within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prescription guidelines. No uniform method exists. Additional research is warranted.
PubMed: 34007365
DOI: 10.14740/jh828