Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Oct 2024
Topical Formulation of Tramadol 5% in the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Prospective, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical tramadol in the management of knee osteoarthritis pain. Sixty patients with moderate to severe pain of knee osteoarthritis were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive tramadol 5% or placebo along with oral diclofenac 100 mg/day. ⋯ At the end of follow-up period, VAS decreased by 21% (from 7.2 ± 2.1 to 5.7 ± 2.4, p-value < 0.05) and WOMAC score decreased by 23% (from 49.6 ± 17.4 to 38.4 ± 18.1, p-value < 0.05) in intervention group. Topical tramadol was significantly effective in reducing the intensity of pain and osteoarthritis symptoms in comparison to placebo considering VAS (5.7 ± 2.4 vs. 8.0 ± 2.9, p-value = 0.001) and WOMAC score (38.4 ± 18.1 vs. 46.0 ± 18.6, p-value = 0.007). Topical tramadol 5% appears to be effective in moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis pain.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Oct 2024
An in-Depth Exploration of Consumer and Consumer Representative Views on Chronic Pain Management in Australia: A Key Informant Interview Study.
Chronic pain affects millions of Australians. Despite guidelines recommending non-pharmacological approaches as the first line treatment, opioid medications remain among the most common treatments. This study interviewed consumers and consumer representatives (i.e., representatives of peak pain advocacy organizations in Australia) to gain first-hand perspectives on chronic pain treatment in Australia. ⋯ Both groups highlighted the importance of a biopsychosocial approach with consideration of mental health, particularly related to perceived stigma and comorbidities. These findings highlight that chronic pain remains both undertreated and inadequately treated in Australia. There is a critical need to use novel approaches to overcome access barriers and stigma, and to advance precision medicine to match patients to the treatment most likely to be of benefit as early as possible in their journey.