Articles: opioid.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialWearable device for prevention of postoperative and post-discharge hypoxemia: a randomized pilot trial.
The Oxalert Enhanced Pulse Oximeter (EPO) is a wearable device that detects and alerts patients to hypoxemia. In a preplanned pilot trial, we estimated the effect of continuous saturation monitoring with patient alerts on in-hospital and post-discharge saturation; we further assessed the feasibility of the intervention. ⋯ The Oxalert system was well tolerated in both groups and enrollment was strong. Patients randomized to active Oxalert systems experienced half as many postoperative desaturation events while hospitalized, although the difference was not statistically significant in this small pilot trial. In contrast, the Oxalert system did not reduce post-discharge desaturation. Detecting postoperative deterioation in surgical patients after they arrive on regular hospital wards, and even after they have been discharged home, can potentially facilitate necessary "rescue" interventions. Wearable devices assessing vital signs, including oxygenation, are a practical requirement. In this pilot study, a wearable pulse oximeter, with and without hypoxemia alarms, was tested for feasibility and acceptability for signal collection in postoperative cases, including at home. Results indicate that a full-scale trial is warranted to test for possible clinical benefit with this type of "wearable" where late postoperative hypoxia could be a concern. The trial was registered at ClincialTrial.gov (NCT04453722).
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Cannabis has been used since ancient times for medical and recreational research. This review article will document the validity of how medical cannabis can be utilized for chronic nonmalignant pain management. ⋯ Current cannabis research has shown that medical cannabis is indicated for symptom management for many conditions not limited to cancer, chronic pain, headaches, migraines, and psychological disorders (anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder). Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are active ingredients in cannabis that modulate a patient's symptoms. These compounds work to decrease nociception and symptom frequency via the endocannabinoid system. Research regarding pain management is limited within the USA as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies it as a schedule one drug. Few studies have found a limited relationship between chronic pain and medical cannabis use. A total of 77 articles were selected after a thorough screening process using PubMed and Google Scholar. This paper demonstrates that medical cannabis use provides adequate pain management. Patients suffering from chronic nonmalignant pain may benefit from medical cannabis due to its convenience and efficacy.
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Since 2017, a total of 10 states have mandated naloxone coprescribing intended to prevent fatal opioid overdoses. This study aims to assess the association between naloxone coprescribing/offering mandates and opioid-involved overdose deaths on the basis of the opioid type. ⋯ Coprescribing/offering mandates prevent overdose deaths for its target population, individuals using prescription/treatment opioids. These mandates do not appear to impact populations using illicit/synthetic opioids; thus, expanded efforts are needed to reach these individuals.
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This study investigated the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of duloxetine as an alternative nonopioid therapeutic option for the prevention of persistent musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among adults presenting to the emergency department with acute MSP after trauma or injury. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, eligible participants (n = 78) were randomized to 2 weeks of a daily dose of one of the following: placebo (n = 27), 30 mg duloxetine (n = 24), or 60 mg duloxetine (n = 27). Tolerability, the primary outcome, was measured by dropout rate and adverse effects. ⋯ In both types of analyses, the size of the effect of duloxetine was larger in MVC vs non-MVC injury. Consistent with the role of stress systems in the development of chronic pain after traumatic stress, our data indicate duloxetine may be a treatment option for reducing the transition from acute to persistent MSP. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these promising results.