Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2018
Analgesic Use and Risk for Acute Coronary Events in Patients With Osteoarthritis: A Population-based, Nested Case-control Study.
Recent controversies on the safety profiles of opioids and paracetamol (acetaminophen) have led to changes in clinical guidance on osteoarthritis (OA) management. We studied the existing association between the use of different OA drug therapies and the risk for acute coronary events. ⋯ In patients with clinically diagnosed OA, the use of nonselective NSAIDs or opioid analgesics is associated with an increased risk for acute coronary events. These risks should be considered when selecting treatments of OA in patients at high cardiovascular risk.
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2018
Multicenter Study Observational StudyGender Differences in Pain Experience and Treatment after Motor Vehicle Collisions: A Secondary Analysis of the CRASH Injury Study.
Little is known about gender differences in the treatment of pain after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in an emergency department (ED). We aimed to describe gender differences in pain experiences and treatment, specifically the use of opioids and benzodiazepines after ED discharge, for MVC-related pain. ⋯ In a large, multicenter study of ED patients treated for MVC, there were gender differences in the acute psychological response to MVC with women reporting more psychological and somatic symptoms. Women and men were equally likely to receive opioid prescriptions at discharge. Future research should investigate potential gender-specific interventions to reduce both posttraumatic distress and the risk of developing negative long-term outcomes like chronic pain.
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2018
Perception and Practice Among Emergency Medicine Health Care Providers Regarding Discharging Patients After Opioid Administration.
This study aimed to determine the current attitudes, perceptions, and practices of emergency medicine providers and nurses (RNs) regarding the discharge of adult patients from the emergency department (ED) after administration of opioid analgesics. ⋯ Most study participants believed that developing a policy or guideline for safe discharge after administration opioids in the ED is important to clinical practice. Only a few physicians reported that they did not prescribe intramuscular hydromorphone or morphine. Most participants believed the discharge decision after administration of opioids in the ED should be primarily determined by both the emergency medicine provider and the RN.
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Clinical therapeutics · Jan 2018
ReviewUse of α2-Adrenergic Agonists to Improve Surgical Field Visibility in Endoscopy Sinus Surgery: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials.
We assessed the evidence for the use of α2-adrenergic agonists (A2AAs) in bleeding control and field quality in endoscopic sinus surgery. ⋯ RCTs consistently report that A2AAs reduce bleeding and improve surgical field quality during endoscopic sinus surgery. Adverse event reporting was often omitted in RCTs. Well-designed RCTs with appropriate sample sizes are desirable to identify the best A2AAs and confirm their potential effects on clinical outcomes.
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Clinical therapeutics · Sep 2017
The Role of Continuing Medical Education in Increasing Enrollment in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.
Opioid diversion, misuse, and abuse are rapidly growing problems in the United States; >60% of all drug overdose deaths involve an opioid. At least 49 states now have fully operational prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) to support legitimate medical use of controlled substances; however, there is considerable underutilization of such programs. ⋯ Continuing medical education is effective for improving clinician knowledge and confidence related to opioid misuse, abuse, and diversion and effective use of a PDMP; however, the education did not result in a significant increase in enrollment in state PDMPs.