Articles: opioid-analgesics.
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We investigated the efficacy and safety of twice-daily bilayer sustained-release tramadol hydrochloride tablets (35% immediate-release; 65% sustained-release) in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. ⋯ Sustained-release tramadol tablets with an immediate-release component are effective and well tolerated for managing postherpetic neuralgia.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2023
Equity Reporting in Systematic Reviews of Opioid Treatment of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain with Patient-Reported Outcomes.
Chronic non-cancer pain can affect a patient's social life, ability to work, and overall quality of life (QoL). Opioid therapy is often prescribed as therapeutic treatment in chronic pain. Systematic reviews (SRs)-the pinnacle of research quality-are often used in guideline development; however, pain may differ across cultures and communities. ⋯ All other items were reported in five or less studies. Our investigation revealed a deficiency in SR's reporting of equity measures for opioid treatment of chronic non-cancer pain. Given the need to address healthcare disparities among minorities, implementing the PROGRESS-Plus framework may influence QoL and patient-centered care.
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Light therapy improves multiple conditions such as seasonal affective disorders, circadian rhythm dysregulations, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about its potential benefits in pain management. While current pharmacologic methods are effective in many cases, the associated side effects can limit their use. ⋯ Given the noninvasive nature of green light, this innovative therapy would be readily implementable in hospitals. PERSPECTIVE: This study provides a potential additional therapy to decrease postsurgical pain. Given the safety, availability, and the efficacy of green light therapy, there is a significant potential for advancing the green light therapy to clinical trials and eventual translation to clinical settings.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2023
Effectiveness of an Opioid Stewardship Guideline in Renal Transplant Recipients Post-Discharge.
Previous literature suggests that kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) do not use the majority of opioid tablets prescribed after transplant surgery. This study analyzed the effectiveness of a new pain management guidance in KTRs after discharge from transplant surgery at a renal transplant center. The single center pre-, post- study compared the number of opioid refill requests, patient-reported pain control, multimodal analgesic agents, and opioid tablets prescribed at discharge in both pre- and post- cohorts. ⋯ The post-group had a significant reduction in opioid tablets prescribed at discharge (22 tablets ± 10 vs 10 tablets ± 2, p = <0.0001) with a significant increase in acetaminophen (p = 0.005) and lidocaine patches (p = <0.0001) prescribed at discharge. Both groups used a mean of three opioid tablets within the first week after discharge. The guidance resulted in 700 fewer opioid tablets in the community during the study time frame, with no difference in pain control nor refill requests after discharge.
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Poorly managed chronic spinal pain encumbers medical resources and drives healthcare costs, suggesting a target for improvement. ⋯ We observed meaningful savings in cost and resource use when chronic spine-pain patients were managed by pain specialists. Pain-management referrals should be an element of a thoughtfully designed care pathway.