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Academic Emergency Medicine : Official... May 2024Alcohol-related concerns commonly present to the emergency department (ED), with a subset of individuals experiencing the symptoms of an alcohol use disorder (AUD). As... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Alcohol-related concerns commonly present to the emergency department (ED), with a subset of individuals experiencing the symptoms of an alcohol use disorder (AUD). As such, examining the efficacy of pharmacological anti-craving treatment for AUD in the ED is of increasing interest. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the direct evidence assessing the efficacy of providing anti-craving medications for AUD treatment in the ED.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted according to the patient-intervention-control-outcome question: (P) adults (≥18 years old) presenting to the ED with an AUD (including suspected AUD); (I) anti-craving medications (i.e., naltrexone, acamprosate, gabapentin); (C) no prescription or placebo; (O) reduction of repeat ED visits, engagement in addiction services, reductions in heavy drinking days, reductions in any drinking and amount consumed (or abstinence), and in relapse. Two reviewers independently assessed articles for inclusion and conducted risk of bias assessments for included studies.
RESULTS
From 143 potentially relevant articles, 6 met inclusion criteria: 3 clinical trials, and 3 case studies. The clinical trials identified evaluated oral versus extended-release naltrexone, monthly extended-release naltrexone injections, and disulfiram. Both oral and extended-release naltrexone resulted in decreased alcohol consumption. Monthly extended-release naltrexone injections resulted in significant improvements in drinking and quality of life. Although out of scope, the disulfiram studies identified did not result in an improvement in drinking in comparison to no medication.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, there are few studies directly examining the efficacy of anti-craving medications for AUD in the ED, although the limited evidence that exists is supportive of naltrexone pharmacotherapy, particularly extended-release injection formulation. Additional randomized controlled trials are necessary for substantive direct evidence on anti-craving medication initiation in the ED.
Topics: Humans; Emergency Service, Hospital; Alcoholism; Alcohol Deterrents; Naltrexone; Acamprosate; Craving; Adult
PubMed: 37735346
DOI: 10.1111/acem.14806 -
The Journal of Emergency Medicine Sep 2023Experts recommend using the lowest effective dose of naloxone to balance the reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression and avoid precipitated opioid withdrawal,...
BACKGROUND
Experts recommend using the lowest effective dose of naloxone to balance the reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression and avoid precipitated opioid withdrawal, however, there is no established dosing standards within the emergency department (ED).
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to determine current naloxone dosing practice in the ED and their association with adverse events.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review by searching PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and EBSCO from 2000-2021. Articles containing patient-level data for initial ED dose and patient outcome had data abstracted by two independent reviewers. Patients were divided into subgroups depending on the initial dose of i.v. naloxone: low dose ([LD], < 0.4 mg), standard dose ([SD], 0.4-2 mg), or high dose ([HD], > 2 mg). Our outcomes were the dose range administered and adverse events per dose. We compared groups using chi-squared difference of proportions or Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS
The review included 13 articles with 209 patients in the results analysis: 111 patients in LD (0.04-0.1 mg), 95 in SD (0.4-2 mg), and 3 in HD (4-12 mg). At least one adverse event was reported in 37 SD patients (38.9%), compared with 14 in LD (12.6%, p < 0.0001) and 2 in HD (100.0%, p = 0.16). At least one additional dose was administered to 53 SD patients (55.8%), compared with 55 in LD (49.5%, p < 0.0001), and 3 in HD (100.0%, p = 0.48).
CONCLUSIONS
Lower doses of naloxone in the ED may help reduce related adverse events without increasing the need for additional doses. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of lower doses of naloxone to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression without causing precipitated opioid withdrawal.
Topics: Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Emergency Service, Hospital; Naloxone; Respiratory Insufficiency; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
PubMed: 37652808
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2023.05.006 -
Neuromodulation : Journal of the... Jan 2024Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used as a minimally invasive and effective treatment modality for various chronic pain disorders, with the main target being... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used as a minimally invasive and effective treatment modality for various chronic pain disorders, with the main target being stimulation of the dorsal columns; however, certain neuropathic pain areas involve dermatomes that are suboptimally covered by SCS. Stimulation of the spinal nerve roots has the advantage of targeting one or several dermatomes at the same time. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the efficacy of spinal nerve root stimulation (SNRS) for chronic pain disorders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A detailed literature review was performed through the Ovid Embase and MEDLINE data bases in addition to reference searching. Gray literature was included by searching through common search engines using a simplified search strategy. Studies included were focused on adult patients (aged >18 years), diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome (including but not limited to complex regional pain syndrome, persistent spinal pain syndrome, neuropathic pain secondary to trauma or infection, postherpetic pain, and cancer pain). Patients must have undergone SNRS insertion, with ≥six months of documented pain intensity scores on follow-up.
RESULTS
A total of 40 studies underwent full text review, and 13 articles were included in final analysis. Mean preoperative pain intensity was 8.14 ± 0.74 on the visual analog scale, whereas mean postoperative pain intensity at one year was 3.18 ± 1.44. Of 119 patients, 83 (70%) achieved ≥50% reduction in pain intensity after SNRS, whereas 36 (30%) achieved <50% reduction in pain intensity. Only three studies assessed changes in analgesia medication dose and reported morphine equivalent doses varied by case series. Overall, there was a trend toward a reduction in analgesia medications in the postoperative period.
CONCLUSIONS
SNRS led to a mean 44% reduction in pain intensity, with a low level of certainty. In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that using SNRS is associated with reduced use of analgesics, including morphine and gabapentin.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Chronic Pain; Analgesics; Spinal Nerve Roots; Spinal Cord Stimulation; Morphine; Neuralgia
PubMed: 37642627
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.07.008 -
Academic Emergency Medicine : Official... Dec 2023Opioids are often prescribed for acute pain to patients discharged from the emergency department (ED), but there is a paucity of data on their short-term use. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Opioids are often prescribed for acute pain to patients discharged from the emergency department (ED), but there is a paucity of data on their short-term use. The purpose of this study was to synthesize the evidence regarding the efficacy of prescribed opioids compared to nonopioid analgesics for acute pain relief in ED-discharged patients.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and gray literature databases were searched from inception to January 2023. Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of prescribed opioids for ED-discharged patients, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Authors were contacted for missing data and to identify additional studies. The primary outcome was the difference in pain intensity scores or pain relief. All meta-analyses used a random-effect model and a sensitivity analysis compared patients treated with codeine versus those treated with other opioids.
RESULTS
From 5419 initially screened citations, 46 full texts were evaluated and six studies enrolling 1161 patients were included. Risk of bias was low for five studies. There was no statistically significant difference in pain intensity scores or pain relief between opioids versus nonopioid analgesics (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.10 to 0.34). Contrary to children, adult patients treated with opioid had better pain relief (SMD 0.28, 95% CI 0.13-0.42) compared to nonopioids. In another sensitivity analysis excluding studies using codeine, opioids were more effective than nonopioids (SMD 0.30, 95% CI 0.15-0.45). However, there were more adverse events associated with opioids (odds ratio 2.64, 95% CI 2.04-3.42).
CONCLUSIONS
For ED-discharged patients with acute musculoskeletal pain, opioids do not seem to be more effective than nonopioid analgesics. However, this absence of efficacy seems to be driven by codeine, as opioids other than codeine are more effective than nonopioids (mostly NSAIDs). Further prospective studies on the efficacy of short-term opioid use after ED discharge (excluding codeine), measuring patient-centered outcomes, adverse events, and potential misuse, are needed.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Acute Pain; Patient Discharge; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Prospective Studies; Codeine; Emergency Service, Hospital
PubMed: 37607265
DOI: 10.1111/acem.14790 -
Journal of General Internal Medicine Oct 2023Collaborative care management (CCM) is an empirically driven model to overcome fractured medical care and improve health outcomes. While CCM has been applied across...
BACKGROUND
Collaborative care management (CCM) is an empirically driven model to overcome fractured medical care and improve health outcomes. While CCM has been applied across numerous conditions, it remains underused for chronic pain and opioid use. Our objective was to establish the state of the science for CCM approaches to addressing pain-related outcomes and opioid-related behaviors through a systematic review.
METHODS
We identified peer-reviewed articles from Cochrane, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases from January 1, 1995, to October 31, 2022. Abstracts and full-text articles were screened for study inclusion, resulting in 18 studies for the final review. In addition, authors used the Patient-Centered Integrated Behavioral Health Care Principles and Tasks Checklist as a tool for assessing the reported CCM components within and across studies. We conducted this systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement.
RESULTS
Several CCM trials evidenced statistically significant improvements in pain-related outcomes (n = 11), such as pain severity and pain-related activity interference. However, effect sizes varied considerably across studies and some effects were not clinically meaningful. CCM had some success in targeting opioid-related behaviors (n = 4), including reduction in opioid prescription dose. Other opioid-related work focused on CCM to facilitate buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (n = 2), including improved odds of receiving treatment and greater prevalence of abstinence from opioids and alcohol. Uniquely, several interventions used CCM to target mental health as a way to address pain (n = 10). Generally, there was moderate alignment with the CCM model.
CONCLUSIONS
CCM shows promise for improving pain-related outcomes, as well as facilitating buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. More robust research is needed to determine which aspects of CCM best support improved outcomes and how to maximize the effectiveness of such interventions.
Topics: Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Opioid-Related Disorders; Buprenorphine; Chronic Pain; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 37580632
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08343-9 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2023Germinal matrix hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) may contribute to neonatal morbidity and mortality and result in long-term neurodevelopmental... (Review)
Review
Pharmacological pain and sedation interventions for the prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants on assisted ventilation - an overview of systematic reviews.
BACKGROUND
Germinal matrix hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) may contribute to neonatal morbidity and mortality and result in long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae. Appropriate pain and sedation management in ventilated preterm infants may decrease the risk of GMH-IVH; however, it might be associated with harms.
OBJECTIVES
To summarize the evidence from systematic reviews regarding the effects and safety of pharmacological interventions related to pain and sedation management in order to prevent GMH-IVH in ventilated preterm infants.
METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Library August 2022 for reviews on pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management to prevent GMH-IVH in ventilated preterm infants (< 37 weeks' gestation). We included Cochrane Reviews assessing the following interventions administered within the first week of life: benzodiazepines, paracetamol, opioids, ibuprofen, anesthetics, barbiturates, and antiadrenergics. Primary outcomes were any GMH-IVH (aGMH-IVH), severe IVH (sIVH), all-cause neonatal death (ACND), and major neurodevelopmental disability (MND). We assessed the methodological quality of included reviews using the AMSTAR-2 tool. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We included seven Cochrane Reviews and one Cochrane Review protocol. The reviews on clonidine and paracetamol did not include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) matching our inclusion criteria. We included 40 RCTs (3791 infants) from reviews on paracetamol for patent ductus arteriosus (3), midazolam (3), phenobarbital (9), opioids (20), and ibuprofen (5). The quality of the included reviews was high. The certainty of the evidence was moderate to very low, because of serious imprecision and study limitations. Germinal matrix hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage (any grade) Compared to placebo or no intervention, the evidence is very uncertain about the effects of paracetamol on aGMH-IVH (risk ratio (RR) 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to 2.07; 2 RCTs, 82 infants; very low-certainty evidence); midazolam may result in little to no difference in the incidence of aGMH-IVH (RR 1.68, 95% CI 0.87 to 3.24; 3 RCTs, 122 infants; low-certainty evidence); the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of phenobarbital on aGMH-IVH (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.19; 9 RCTs, 732 infants; very low-certainty evidence); opioids may result in little to no difference in aGMH-IVH (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.12; 7 RCTs, 469 infants; low-certainty evidence); ibuprofen likely results in little to no difference in aGMH-IVH (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.21; 4 RCTs, 759 infants; moderate-certainty evidence). Compared to ibuprofen, the evidence is very uncertain about the effects of paracetamol on aGMH-IVH (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.31 to 4.34; 1 RCT, 30 infants; very low-certainty evidence). Compared to midazolam, morphine may result in a reduction in aGMH-IVH (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.87; 1 RCT, 46 infants; low-certainty evidence). Compared to diamorphine, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of morphine on aGMH-IVH (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.07; 1 RCT, 88 infants; very low-certainty evidence). Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade 3 to 4) Compared to placebo or no intervention, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of paracetamol on sIVH (RR 1.80, 95% CI 0.43 to 7.49; 2 RCTs, 82 infants; very low-certainty evidence) and of phenobarbital (grade 3 to 4) (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.25; 9 RCTs, 732 infants; very low-certainty evidence); opioids may result in little to no difference in sIVH (grade 3 to 4) (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.34; 6 RCTs, 1299 infants; low-certainty evidence); ibuprofen may result in little to no difference in sIVH (grade 3 to 4) (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.26; 4 RCTs, 747 infants; low-certainty evidence). No studies on midazolam reported this outcome. Compared to ibuprofen, the evidence is very uncertain about the effects of paracetamol on sIVH (RR 2.65, 95% CI 0.12 to 60.21; 1 RCT, 30 infants; very low-certainty evidence). Compared to midazolam, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of morphine on sIVH (grade 3 to 4) (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.43; 1 RCT, 46 infants; very low-certainty evidence). Compared to fentanyl, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of morphine on sIVH (grade 3 to 4) (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.95; 1 RCT, 163 infants; very low-certainty evidence). All-cause neonatal death Compared to placebo or no intervention, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of phenobarbital on ACND (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.72; 3 RCTs, 203 infants; very low-certainty evidence); opioids likely result in little to no difference in ACND (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.55; 5 RCTs, 1189 infants; moderate-certainty evidence); the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of ibuprofen on ACND (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.38 to 2.64; 2 RCTs, 112 infants; very low-certainty evidence). Compared to midazolam, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of morphine on ACND (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.16; 1 RCT, 46 infants; very low-certainty evidence). Compared to diamorphine, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of morphine on ACND (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.43 to 3.19; 1 RCT, 88 infants; very low-certainty evidence). Major neurodevelopmental disability Compared to placebo, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of opioids on MND at 18 to 24 months (RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.39 to 10.29; 1 RCT, 78 infants; very low-certainty evidence) and at five to six years (RR 1.6, 95% CI 0.56 to 4.56; 1 RCT, 95 infants; very low-certainty evidence). No studies on other drugs reported this outcome.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
None of the reported studies had an impact on aGMH-IVH, sIVH, ACND, or MND. The certainty of the evidence ranged from moderate to very low. Large RCTs of rigorous methodology are needed to achieve an optimal information size to assess the effects of pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management for the prevention of GMH-IVH and mortality in preterm infants. Studies might compare interventions against either placebo or other drugs. Reporting of the outcome data should include the assessment of GMH-IVH and long-term neurodevelopment.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Ibuprofen; Acetaminophen; Midazolam; Analgesics, Opioid; Respiration, Artificial; Heroin; Perinatal Death; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Infant, Premature; Pain; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Phenobarbital
PubMed: 37565681
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012706.pub2 -
JAMA Network Open Aug 2023Concerns that take-home naloxone (THN) training may lead to riskier drug use (as a form of overdose risk compensation) remain a substantial barrier to training...
IMPORTANCE
Concerns that take-home naloxone (THN) training may lead to riskier drug use (as a form of overdose risk compensation) remain a substantial barrier to training implementation. However, there was limited good-quality evidence in a systematic review of the association between THN access and subsequent risk compensation behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether THN training is associated with changes in overdose risk behaviors, indexed through injecting frequency, in a cohort of people who inject drugs.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cohort study used prospectively collected self-reported behavioral data before and after THN training of participants in The Melbourne Injecting Drug User Cohort Study (SuperMIX). Annual interviews were conducted in and around Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from 2008 to 2021. SuperMIX participants were adults who regularly injected heroin or methamphetamine in the 6 months preceding their baseline interview. The current study included only people who inject drugs who reported THN training and had participated in at least 1 interview before THN training.
EXPOSURE
In 2017, the SuperMIX baseline or follow-up survey began asking participants if and when they had received THN training. The first THN training date that was recorded was included as the exposure variable. Subsequent participant interviews were excluded from analysis.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Injecting frequency was the primary outcome and was used as an indicator of overdose risk. Secondary outcomes were opioid injecting frequency, benzodiazepine use frequency, and the proportion of the time drugs were used alone. Fixed-effects generalized linear (Poisson) multilevel modeling was used to estimate the association between THN training and the primary and secondary outcomes. Time-varying covariates included housing status, income, time in study, recent opioid overdose, recent drug treatment, and needle and syringe coverage. Findings were expressed as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs.
RESULTS
There were 1328 participants (mean [SD] age, 32.4 [9.0] years; 893 men [67.2%]) who completed a baseline interview in the SuperMIX cohort, and 965 participants completed either a baseline or follow-up interview in or after 2017. Of these 965 participants, 390 (40.4%) reported THN training. A total of 189 people who inject drugs had pretraining participant interviews with data on injecting frequency and were included in the final analysis (mean [SD] number of interviews over the study period, 6.2 [2.2]). In fixed-effects regression analyses adjusted for covariates, there was no change in the frequency of injecting (IRR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.69-1.20; P = .51), opioid injecting (IRR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.74-1.23; P = .71), benzodiazepine use (IRR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.69-1.33; P = .80), or the proportion of reported time of using drugs alone (IRR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86-1.26; P = .67) before and after THN training.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This cohort study of people who inject drugs found no evidence of an increase in injecting frequency, along with other markers of overdose risk, after THN training and supply. The findings suggest that THN training should not be withheld because of concerns about risk compensation and that advocacy for availability and uptake of THN is required to address unprecedented opioid-associated mortality.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Naloxone; Narcotic Antagonists; Analgesics, Opioid; Cohort Studies; Drug Overdose; Victoria
PubMed: 37540514
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.27319 -
Pain Physician Jul 2023Intrathecal opioids have long been used as analgesia for intractable cancer pain or as part of spinal anesthesia during obstetric operations. More recently, they have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Intrathecal opioids have long been used as analgesia for intractable cancer pain or as part of spinal anesthesia during obstetric operations. More recently, they have been used preoperatively as a pain management adjuvant for open cardiac and thoracic procedures.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to analyze the impact of administering intrathecal opioids before cardiac and thoracic surgeries on postoperative pain and mechanical ventilation.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
University, School of Medicine, and several university-affiliated hospitals.
METHODS
Five outcomes were studied, including the primary outcome of time to extubation, secondary outcomes of analgesia requirements at 24 and 48 hours, resting pain scores at 1 and 24 hours post-extubation, ICU length of stay in hours, and hospital length of stay in days. A search of multiple databases provided 28 studies reporting 4,000 total patients. Outcomes were measured using continuous mean difference with a 95% confidence interval, and the studies were examined for heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS
The primary outcome analysis suggested that time to extubation was 42 minutes shorter in the intrathecal opioid group (ranging from 82 to 1 minute, P = 0.04). There was also a decrease in postoperative analgesia requirements at both 24 hours (mean difference (MD) = -8.95 mg morphine equivalent doses (MED) [-9.4, -8.5], P < 0.001) and 48 hours (MD = -17.7 mg MED [-23.1, -12.4], P < 0.001) with I2 of 94% and 85% respectively, an improvement of pain scores at both 1 hour (MD = -2.24 [-3.16, -1.32], P < 0.001) and 24-hours (MD = -1.64 [-2.48, -0.80], P =< 0.001) I2 of 94% and 85%, no change in both ICU length of stay (MD = -0.27 hours [-0.55, 0.01], P = 0.06) I2 = 77% and hospital length of stay (MD = -0.30 days [-0.66, 0.06], P = 0.11) I2 = 32%.
LIMITATIONS
The major limitation of this meta-analysis was the inconsistent dosages of intrathecal opioids utilized. Some used the same dose for each patient, while other studies used weight-based doses. The differences in the outcomes observed may then be a result of the different amounts of opioids administered rather than the technique itself. Another limitation was the inconsistent timing of reports for pain scores and postoperative analgesic requirements. Further studies were analyzed at the 2 time periods for both secondary outcomes, making it difficult to attribute the 2 effects solely to the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that preoperative injection of intrathecal opioids is significantly associated with decreased time to extubation, decreased postoperative analgesia requirement, and improved pain scores. In controlled conditions with adequate staff education, this method of analgesia may make it possible to extubate the patients after the surgery in the operating room and fast-track their discharge from the hospital.
Topics: Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Injections, Spinal; Morphine; Coronary Artery Bypass; Pain, Postoperative; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37535770
DOI: No ID Found -
British Journal of Anaesthesia Sep 2023Neuraxial opioids provide effective analgesia for Caesarean delivery, however, pruritus can be a troubling side-effect. Effective agents to prevent pruritus are needed.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Neuraxial opioids provide effective analgesia for Caesarean delivery, however, pruritus can be a troubling side-effect. Effective agents to prevent pruritus are needed. Our objective was to perform an updated systematic review and network meta-analysis to provide clinicians with a comparison of relative efficacy of available interventions to reduce the incidence of pruritus, induced by either intrathecal or epidural single-shot morphine, in women undergoing Caesarean delivery.
METHODS
Databases systematically searched (up to January 2022) included PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, EBSCO CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, and two Cochrane databases. We included randomised, controlled trials involving adult female patients undergoing Caesarean delivery. We pooled trials comparing interventions used for preventing pruritus after Caesarean delivery and performed a Bayesian model network meta-analysis.
RESULTS
The final primary network included data from comparisons of 14 distinct interventions (including placebo) used to reduce the incidence of pruritus in 6185 participants. We judged five interventions to be 'definitely superior' to placebo: propofol, opioid agonist-antagonists (neuraxial), opioid antagonists, opioid agonist-antagonists (systemic), and serotonin antagonists. For the network evaluating the incidence of severe pruritus (warranting additional therapeutic treatment of pruritus), data were available for 14 interventions (including placebo) in 4489 patients. For this outcome, we judged three interventions to be 'definitely superior' to placebo: dopamine antagonists (neuraxial) and systemic and neuraxial opioid agonist-antagonists.
CONCLUSION
Our analysis found several interventions to be effective in reducing the incidence of pruritus. Although sub-hypnotic doses of propofol appear to have an antipruritic effect, replication of this finding and further investigation of optimal dosing are warranted.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL
PROSPERO (CRD42022367058).
Topics: Pregnancy; Adult; Humans; Female; Morphine; Analgesics, Opioid; Propofol; Network Meta-Analysis; Bayes Theorem; Cesarean Section; Pruritus
PubMed: 37455197
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.05.028 -
The Journal of Pain Nov 2023Transdermal buprenorphine (TBUP) may have some advantages for the management of acute postoperative pain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Transdermal buprenorphine (TBUP) may have some advantages for the management of acute postoperative pain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of TBUP compared to other analgesics or placebo for acute postoperative pain. A systematic search was conducted using Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) until December 26, 2022. The search included randomized controlled trials comparing TBUP versus other analgesics or placebo for acute postoperative pain. A certainty assessment was conducted using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. The protocol for this review was registered on Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022318601). In total, 15 studies involving 1,205 participants were included that compared TBUP versus fentanyl (n = 2), celecoxib (n = 3), placebo (n = 2), tramadol (n = 5), diclofenac (n = 3), parecoxib (n = 1), and flurbiprofen (n = 1). Meta-analyses were conducted for 3 comparators that involved 2 studies each. There was no significant difference in pain between TBUP 10 mcg/h versus fentanyl 25 mcg/h (standardized mean difference [SMD] -.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] -.86 to .81, P = .95, I = 85%). TBUP 10 mcg/h was associated with less pain compared to celecoxib 200 mg twice daily (SMD -.32, 95% CI -.58 to -.05, P = .02, I = 0%) and placebo (SMD -2.29, 95% CI -4.32 to -.27, P = .03, I = 94%). The GRADE assessment showed a very low certainty of evidence for all comparisons. There is insufficient evidence that TBUP improves pain control compared to other analgesics for acute postoperative pain. PERSPECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the use of TBUP to other analgesics for postoperative pain. The results showed that there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of TBUP in this setting. The findings will help clinicians select the most appropriate opioid regimens for postoperative pain.
Topics: Humans; Celecoxib; Analgesics, Opioid; Pain, Postoperative; Fentanyl; Buprenorphine
PubMed: 37442403
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.07.001