Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Observational Study
The Role of Qutenza® (Topical Capsaicin 8%) in Treating Neuropathic Pain from Critical Ischemia in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: An Observational Cohort Study.
Current treatment strategies for painful critical ischemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are suboptimal. A drug that is non-renally excreted has minimal systemic absorption and does not require dose adjustment in renal failure is attractive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Qutenza® (topical capsaicin 8%) for chronic neuropathic pain from critical ischemia in patients with ESRD. ⋯ In this small, observational study Qutenza® treatment has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated to treat neuropathic pain from critical ischemia in patients with ESRD.
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In 2015, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) was notified of an acute case of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The patient had no traditional HCV risk factors. The only known subcutaneous exposure was health care received at a pain management clinic. ⋯ Health care-associated transmission of HCV likely occurred at an outpatient pain management clinic; possibly the result of multiple patient use of single-dose vials. Because no other cases were discovered this may represent an isolated incident as opposed to a systematic breakdown in infection control standards. This circumstance highlights the need for continued vigilance and adherence to CDC’s Minimum Expectations for Safe Care in Outpatient Settings.
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To determine patients’ perceptions regarding cognitive behavioral pain management programs, and to determine what, if any, strategies learned on the program patients continue to use long-term to manage their pain. ⋯ There was universal positive feedback for the pain management program. Despite the years since they participated in one, patients continue to use key strategies to effectively manage their pain (pacing, relaxation), embedding them in their daily lives to maximize their quality of life.