Numeric Rating Scale Research Articles

Unveiling the Impact of Moderate and Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Insights on Burden, Clinical Characteristics, and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Adult Greek Patients from the APOLO Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Moderate to severe (M2S) atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic condition impacting individuals, society, and healthcare systems. Considering the changing M2S-AD treatment landscape, this study assesses the M2S-AD burden in patients reaching referral centers in Greece. Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. Patients aged 12 years or older with clinically diagnosed M2S-AD were enrolled. Data collected included clinical practice assessments and the following validated patient-reported instruments: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI); EuroQol-5 Dimensions-3 Level scale (EQ-5D-3L); Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM); Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS); and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: General Health (WPAI:GH). A pain frequency/intensity/cause questionnaire and a sleep disturbance scale were also used. Results: Outcomes of 184 adults (51.1% female) with M2S-AD based on the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) are presented (n = 117 moderate; n = 67 severe). Among the patients, 14.8% were obese, 59.2% had allergic comorbidities, and 88.0% were receiving AD-specific therapy (systemic: 38.6%). The median age, disease duration, body surface area, and total EASI scores were 38.8 years, 11.8 years, 30.0%, and 16.9, respectively. The median DLQI score was 12.0, with 'symptoms/feelings' being the most affected domain. EQ-5D dimensions 'anxiety/depression' and 'pain/discomfort' were also affected (65.2% and 64.1% reporting problems, respectively). The median POEM score was 17.0. Pain, severe pruritus (PP-NRS ≥ 7), and sleep disturbance were reported by 80.4%, 62.0%, and 88.5%, respectively. The median WPAI:GH 'work productivity loss' and 'activity impairment' scores were 23.8% and 30.0%, respectively. Conclusions: Both moderate and severe AD patients reaching Greek specialized centers experience significant symptom burden and impairments in quality of life, sleep, work, and daily activities.

Effectiveness of Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients with Radiculopathy - A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Lumbar radiculopathy is a common condition characterized by pain radiating from the lower back to the lower limb, with high prevalence rates in the Indian population. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with radiculopathy. Materials and Method: The present study included 31 patients with intervertebral disc prolapse and radiculopathy confirmed by MRI. Patients received lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection and were assessed at baseline, immediately after, and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18). A statistically analysis was carried using the Friedman test and Post-hoc Wilcoxon signed rank test with p<0.005 as significant value. Results: Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores decreased substantially from 6.81 to 3.45 immediately after the procedure and remained low at 6-12 weeks (3.42-3.74), with a slight increase at 24 weeks (4.23). Similarly, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores improved notably from 44.19 to 29.16 immediately after the procedure and remained improved at 6-24 weeks (30.00-33.48). Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18), showed a brief improvement post-procedure (4.09) but returned to near baseline levels (3.97-4.01) over the long-term follow-up period. These findings were statistically significant, with p-values of 0.000 for NRS, ODI, and PSQ-18 scores over follow-ups. Conclusion: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a safe and effective treatment for lumbar radiculopathy, providing short-term pain relief and functional improvement. However, long-term efficacy remains unclear, highlighting the need for further large-scale, long-term research to optimize treatment outcomes.

The effect of combined pudendal nerve and spermatic cord block or caudal epidural block on postoperative analgesia after posterior urethroplasty: a randomized trial

BackgroundPostoperative pain management remains a significant challenge for patients undergoing posterior urethroplasty (PU). In a previous study, we proposed a novel technique of combined pudendal nerve (PN) and spermatic cord (SC) block to manage pain after PU. The present trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that this technique is effective for pain control after PU and provides longer-lasting analgesia than caudal epidural block (CB).MethodsSixty patients undergoing PU were randomized into two groups: Group NB received combined PN and SC block, and Group CB received CB. General anesthesia with a laryngeal mask was performed. The primary outcome was the postoperative analgesic duration, and the secondary outcomes included the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for pain and the number of patients with different motor scores of the lower limb at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively.ResultsTwo patients in Group CB were withdrawn due to block failure. The postoperative analgesic duration was statistically longer in Group NB compared with Group CB (mean difference [95% confidence interval], 115.78 min [17.80, 213.75]; P = 0.021). The NRS scores for pain at 12 and 24 h after surgery were statistically lower in Group NB compared with Group CB. Group NB had statistically more patients with motor score 0 at 3 h postoperatively than Group CB.ConclusionsPN combined with SC block is an effective technique for postoperative analgesia in PU. This technique can achieve a longer duration of analgesia and lower pain scores, especially 12 h after surgery, than a CB.Trial registrationThis study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (registration no. ChiCTR2100042971, registration date on 2/2/2021).

Comparison of the analgesic effects of infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block and interscalene block under ultrasound guidance in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Objective: To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block and interscalene block in shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Methods: A total of 74 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University from December 2023 to February 2024 were prospectively included, whose age ranged from 18 to 80 years and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade were Ⅰ-Ⅲ. Patients were divided into two groups using block randomization: infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block group (observation group) and interscalene block group (control group), with 37 cases in each group. In the anesthesia preparation room, all patients received nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was administered to all patients following surgery. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain within 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included the highest NRS score within 48 hours postoperatively, the amount of sufentanil used via PCIA within 48 hours postoperatively, the incidence of rescue analgesia and rebound pain, QoR-40 scores, and the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours. The non-inferiority margin for the AUC of NRS scores between the two types of regional nerve blocks was set at "2.6". Results: A total of 35 patients were included in the observation group [17 males, 18 females, aged (58.1±9.1) years], and 36 patients were included in the control group [12 males, 24 females, aged (57.0±9.8) years]. The AUC of the NRS scores at rest within 24 hours post-operation was 51.7±10.9 in the observation group and 62.6±13.6 in the control group. The difference in AUC between the two groups was -10.9 (95%CI:-16.8--5.1), with the upper limit of the 95%CI falling below the predefined non-inferiority margin of "2.6" (non-inferiority P<0.001). The highest NRS score [M (Q1, Q3)] within 48 hours post-surgery was 3 (3, 4) in the control group, which was significantly higher than the observation group's score of 2 (2, 3) (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 0-12 hours, the observation group received a median dose of 12 (10, 14) μg of sufentanil, which was significantly higher than the control group's dose of 8 (6, 10) μg (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 12-24 hours, the observation group received a median dose of 8 (8, 10) μg of sufentanil, which was significantly lower than the control group's median dose of 12 (10, 14) μg (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 24-48 hours, there was no statistically significant difference in the dose of sufentanil between the two groups of patients (P=0.548). In the observation group, the incidence of rescue analgesia within 48 hours postoperatively was 0 (0/35), which was lower than that of the control group at 22.2% (8/36) (P=0.010). The occurrence of rebound pain in the observation group was 0 (0/35), and the control group was 11.1% (4/36), no statistically significant difference was found between two groups (P=0.130). In the observation group, the QoR-40 score within 24 hours post-operation was 180.2±3.2, which was higher than the control group's score of 175.8±4.7 (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours between the two groups (P=0.372). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block demonstrates a comparable analgesic effect to interscalene block in shoulder arthroscopic surgery within the first 24 hours postoperatively.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols in One- or Two-Level Posterior Lumbar Fusion: Improving Postoperative Outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols optimize perioperative care and improve recovery. This study evaluated the effectiveness of ERAS in one- or two-level posterior lumbar fusion surgeries, focusing on perioperative medication use, pain management, and functional outcomes. Methods: Eighty-eight patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery between March 2021 and February 2022 were allocated into pre-ERAS (n = 41) and post-ERAS (n = 47) groups. Outcomes included opioid and antiemetic consumption, pain scores (numerical rating scale (NRS)), functional recovery (Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D)), and complication rates. Pain was assessed daily for the first four postoperative days and at 6 months. Linear Mixed Effects Model analysis evaluated pain trajectories. Results: The post-ERAS group showed significantly lower opioid (p = 0.005) and antiemetic (p < 0.001) use. No significant differences were observed in NRS pain scores in the first 4 postoperative days. At 6 months, the post-ERAS group reported significantly lower leg pain (p = 0.002). The time:group interaction was not significant for back (p = 0.848) or leg (p = 0.503) pain. Functional outcomes at 6 months, particularly ODI and EQ-5D scores, showed significant improvement in the post-ERAS group. Complication rates were lower in the post-ERAS group (4.3% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.024), while hospital stay and fusion rates remained similar. Conclusions: The ERAS protocol significantly reduced opioid and antiemetic use, improved long-term pain management and functional recovery, and lowered complication rates in lumbar fusion patients. These findings support the implementation of ERAS protocols in spinal surgery, emphasizing their role in enhancing postoperative care.

Exploding Head Syndrome among Patients Seeking Help for Tinnitus and/or Hyperacusis at an Audiology Department in the UK: A Preliminary Study.

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is characterized by hearing a sudden loud noise or experiencing a sense of explosion in head during the transition of sleep-wake or wake-sleep. The experience of EHS shares similarities with tinnitus, where an individual perceives a sound without any external sound source. To the authors' knowledge, the possible relationship between EHS and tinnitus has not been explored. Preliminary assessment of prevalence of EHS and its related factors among patients seeking help for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis. Retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 148 consecutive patients who sought help for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis at an audiology clinic in the United Kingdom. The data regarding demographics, medical history, audiological measures, and self-report questionnaires were collected retrospectively from the patients' records. Audiological measures comprised of pure-tone audiometry and uncomfortable loudness levels. The self-report questionnaires which were administered as a part of standard care comprised of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, numeric rating scale of tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and effect on life, hyperacusis questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale 7, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). To establish presence of EHS, participants were asked "Do you ever hear a sudden, loud noise, or feel a sense of explosion in your head at night?" EHS was reported by 8.1% of patients with tinnitus and/or hyperacusis (12 out of 148). The patients with and without EHS were compared, but no significant relationships were found, between the presence of EHS and age, gender, tinnitus/hyperacusis distress, symptoms of anxiety or depression, sleep difficulties, or audiological measures. The prevalence of EHS in a tinnitus and hyperacusis population is similar to that in the general population. While there does not seem to be any association with sleep or mental factors, this might be due to the limited variability in our clinical sample (i.e., most patients exhibited high level of distress regardless of EHS). Replication of the results in a larger sample with more variety of symptom severity is warranted.

Does endoscopic carpal tunnel release during distal radial fracture fixation improve outcomes? A randomized controlled trial.

This study investigated the functional outcome of prophylactic carpal tunnel release during distal radial fracture fixation. A total of 60 patients undergoing anterior locking plate fixation for a distal radial fracture were randomized into two groups: one having prophylactic endoscopic carpal tunnel release and the other serving as a control. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Patient-Reported Wrist Evaluation, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, Pain Numerical Rating Scale, grip strength and finger-to-palm distance over a 12-month period. The study found no significant differences in overall functional outcomes or complications between the groups.Level of evidence: I.

Assessing the measurement properties of PROMIS Computer Adaptive Tests, short forms and legacy patient reported outcome measures in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

The commonly used ('legacy') PROMs evaluating outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA), have several limitations regarding their measurement properties and interpretation of scores. One innovation in PROMs is the use of Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) is a validated system of CATs. The aim of this study was to assess the measurement properties of PROMIS and legacy instruments in patients undergoing THA. Patients in this multicenter study filled out a questionnaire twice, including Dutch-Flemish PROMIS v1.2 Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) and v1.1 Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI) CATs and short forms, PROMIS v1.0 Pain Intensity, and legacy PROMs (Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), HOOS-Physical function Shortform (HOOS-PS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Oxford Hip Score (OHS), and two numeric rating scales measuring pain). The reliability, measurement precision (Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)), smallest detectable change (SDC), and burden of PROMIS instruments were presented head-to-head to legacy PROMs. Furthermore, construct validity was assessed. 208 patients were included. All instruments had a sufficient test-retest reliability (range ICC: 0.83-0.96). The SEM of PROMIS CATs and short forms ranged from 1.8 to 2.2 T-score points, the SEM of legacy instruments 2.6-11.1. The SDC of PROMIS instruments ranged from 2.1 to 7.3 T-score points, the SDC of legacy instruments 7.2-30.9. The construct validity of PROMIS CAT and short forms were found sufficient, except for the PROMIS-PI short form. The burden of PROMIS CATs was smaller than PROMIS short forms (range 4.8-5.2 versus 8-20 items, respectively). The burden of legacy instruments measuring physical functioning ranged from 5 to 40 items. The PROMIS-PF is less burdensome, with high measurement precision, and almost no minimal or maximal scores, and an equal reliability compared to legacy instruments measuring physical functioning in patients undergoing THA. The PROMIS Pain Intensity 1a is comparable to the legacy pain instruments in terms of burden, reliability and SDC. Measuring the construct Pain Interference may not have additional value in this population because of its high correlation with instruments measuring physical functioning. The SDC values presented in this study can be used for individual patient monitoring.

Related Factors and Risk Prediction of Chronic Pain after Knee Replacement.

This study aimed to explore potential risk factors associated with chronic pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to establish the risk prediction model of chronic postoperative pain (CPSP). This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 160 patients who underwent TKA in our hospital between January 2021 and January 2024. Relevant data such as the baseline characteristics, past medical history, CPSP condition, and pain numerical rating scale (NRS) were retrieved from the medical information system. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the risk factors affecting the postoperative CPSP of the patients. The identified risk factors were incorporated to develop a risk-prediction model. Among the 160 patients, 67 (41.88%) had CPSP at or around the operation incision. The NRS pain score was significantly higher in the CPSP group than in the non-CPSP group during exercise preoperative and 3 months post-operation. Furthermore, the CPSP group had a higher NRS score than the non-CPSP group at rest 3 months after the procedure (p < 0.05). We observed that the preoperative NRS score, preoperative hospital for special surgery (HSS) score, postoperative functional training, and postoperative adverse events were the independent factors influencing the occurrence of CPSP after TKA (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between preoperative NRS score, postoperative adverse events, and CPSP pain severity, and a significant negative correlation between preoperative HSS score, postoperative functional training, and CPSP pain severity (p < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve had excellent calibration and prediction capabilities for the predictive model of CPSP after TKA, with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.868 (95% CI: 0.811-0.925). In this study, the predictive model of CPSP risk for patients after TKA surgery was initially constructed, which can help medical staff predict the risk of CPSP in patients after surgery individually, thereby preventing the occurrence of CPSP.

Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic post-traumatic pain: data from a prospective study

Chronic post-traumatic pain (CPTP) is diagnosed when pain persists for ≥3 months after injury. This is a serious condition that significantly limits patients' quality of life and ability to work and is one of the predictors of the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.Objective. To investigate the clinical features of CPTP after knee injury.Material and methods. The study group comprised 103 patients (mean age 39.4±12.5 years, 51.5% women). All patients had a knee injury with diagnosed involvement of the anterior cruciate ligament and/or meniscus and suffered from pain ≥1 month after the injury ≥4 points on the numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10). Patients were assessed after 3 and 6 months. Pain intensity during movement, at rest and at night and functional impairment were assessed using NRS. KOOS, EQ-5D, PainDETECT, CSI, Pain Catastrophizing, HADS, FIRST and FACIT questionnaires.Results and discussion. After 3 months, the number of patients with CPTP was 33 (32.0%). After 6 months, these patients had significantly more severe symptoms than patients with knee injuries without CPTP (control group, n=70). In the CPTP and control groups, the median pain during movement was 5.0 [4.0; 6.0] and 1.0 [0.0; 1.0] respectively, p12 was found in 24.2 and 2.9% of cases, p &lt;0.001 ; pain at rest – 2.0 [2.0; 3.0] and 0.0 [0.0; 1.0], p &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001;; pain at night – 2.0 [1.0; 3.0] and 0.0 [0.0; 0.0], p &lt;0.001; KOOS score – 4.0 [1.0; 5.5] and 2.0 [1.0; 3.5], p &lt;0.001; quality of life according to EQ-5D – 0.65 [0.52; 0.73] and 0.89 [0.69; 1.0], p &lt;0.001; according to EQ-5D scale – 64.0 [50.0; 70.0] and 80.0 [70.0; 90.0], p &lt;0.001 ; a PainDETECT score of &gt;12 was found in 24.2 and 2.9% of cases, p&lt; 0.0037; according to HADS, depression ≥11 – in 21.2 and 2.9%, p&lt; 0.001, according to HADS, anxiety ≥11 – in 24.2 and 4.3%, p=0.0038; CSI ≥40 – in 9.0 and 0%, p=0.03; pain catastrophizing ≥30 – in 12.1 and 0%, p=0.005; FIRST ≥5 – in 6.1 and 0%, p=0.358; FACIT &lt;30 – in 15.2 and 2.9%, p=0.004. After 6 months, statistically significant differences were found between the CPTP group and the control group in all sections of KOOS questionnaire (p &lt;0.001 for all parameters).Conclusion. Three months after knee injury, 32.0% of patients developed CPTP. All had moderate/severe pain with impaired function and reduced quality of life, one in five patients had symptoms of neuropathic pain, signs of depression and anxiety. Patients with CPTP showed significant changes in all sections of KOOS questionnaire.

Sensory assessment of intramuscular quadratus lumborum block at the L2 level in open inguinal hernia repair patients

BackgroundThe effectiveness of the quadratus lumborum block (QLB) for postoperative pain management depends on the injection pathway used. There is limited research on the block area produced by intramuscular injection of local anesthesia in the quadratus lumborum muscle. This study aimed to determine the cutaneous sensory blockade area produced by an intramuscular quadratus lumborum block (QLBi) at the L2 level.MethodsTwenty patients aged 18–60 years with ASA grade I-II and a BMI of 18–30 kg/m2 who were scheduled for open inguinal hernia repair with mesh underwent ultrasound-guided QLBi injection of 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine. The cutaneous sensory blockade area was measured by applying a cold stimulus 1 h after the block and then measured every hour after surgery until the sensation returned to normal. The duration of a blockade is defined as the time it takes for all affected areas to fully regain normal sensation following a blockade. Pain scores (numeric rating scale, NRS) were recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after surgery. Adverse reactions to QLBi were recorded 24 h after surgery.ResultsAll 20 patients had reduced or lost cold sensation areas. The greatest extent of cold sensation reduction occurred at T7 (10%), and the least amount of cold sensation reduction occurred at L3 (10%). The block level covered T8 (20%), T9 (30%), T10 (45%), T11 (90%), T12 (95%), L1 (100%), and L2 (15%). Eighteen patients experienced areas of sensory loss, with the highest range at T11 and the lowest at L2. The duration of the blockade was 8.9 ± 3.8 h, with a maximum of 24 h and a minimum of 5 h. One patient experienced quadriceps weakness after surgery.ConclusionQuadratus lumborum block of intramuscular pathway can produce effective cutaneous sensory blockade, which can be used for postoperative analgesia of indirect inguinal hernia operation, and may also be beneficial to analgesia of other lower abdominal operations. However, the best method needs further confirmation to determine specific anesthesia methods for various operations.Chinese clinical trial registryJune 2, 2018; ChiCTR1800016457.

Assessing the Association of Pain Intensity Scales on Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Chronic Pain: A Nursing Approach.

Chronic pain is prevalent among the elderly and significantly affects their quality of life (QoL). Pain intensity scales are crucial tools in evaluating the severity of pain and tailoring management strategies. This study investigates the relationship between various pain intensity scales and QoL among elderly patients with chronic pain, highlighting the implications for nursing practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 elderly patients (aged 65 and above) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) alongside the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate QoL. Data analysis involved Pearson correlation and multiple regression to explore the association of pain intensity on QoL. All pain scales showed significant negative correlations with QoL. The MPQ exhibited a significant association, suggesting its comprehensive nature captures the multidimensional association of pain more effectively. Regression analysis identified pain intensity, age, and duration of chronic pain as significant predictors of reduced QoL. The findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate pain assessment tools that reflect the complex nature of pain in elderly patients. Implementing comprehensive pain assessments like the MPQ can enhance individualized care strategies and potentially improve the QoL in this population. This study underscores the role of nurses in optimizing pain management approaches tailored to the elderly.

Comparison on clinical efficacy and adverse reactions between TPICC and ultrasound-guided PICC for advanced tumors: A retrospective study.

Comparing the differences in efficacy and adverse reactions on the application between tunnel peripherally inserted central catheter (TPICC) and ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in patients with advanced tumors. A retrospective investigation was conducted to collect treatment data. We randomly selected 200 patients with advanced tumors who were admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 as the research subjects. The observation group consisted of 100 cases of tunnel PICC catheterization, while the control group consisted of 100 cases of PICC catheterization. We observed and compared the catheterization time, PICC puncture success rate, intraoperative blood loss, pain degree, comfort level, and postoperative complication rate between the 2 groups. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference at the distribution of PICC indwelling time in the observation group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). The success rate on PICC puncture in the observation group was higher than that on the control group (P < .05). Intraoperative bleeding volume and numerical rating scale (NRS) of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P < .05). At 1 month postoperatively, comfort ratings in the observation group and the control group were lower than those of their same groups at 1 week postoperatively (P < .05); At 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, comfort rating in the observation group were lower than that in the control group (P < .05). The incidence of postoperative complication in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < .05). TPICC improves the success rate on puncture and the post-catheterization comfort, it reduces NRS and the risks on complications, which owns high safety.

First-in-human study of dosimetry, safety and efficacy for [177Lu]Lu-P15-073: a novel bisphosphonate-based radioligand therapy (RLT) agent for bone metastases.

Bisphosphonates are pivotal in managing bone tumors by inhibiting bone resorption. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of [177Lu]Lu-P15-073, a novel bisphosphonate, for radioligand therapy (RLT) in bone metastases. Ten patients (age 35 to 75) with confirmed bone metastases underwent therapy with a single dose of [177Lu]Lu-P15-073 (1,225 ± 84 MBq, or 33 ± 2 mCi). Prior to treatment, bone metastases were verified via [99mTc]Tc-MDP bone scans. Serial planar whole-body scans monitored biodistribution over a 14-day period. Dosimetry was assessed for major organs and tumor lesions, while safety was evaluated through blood biomarkers and pain scores. Serial planar whole-body scans demonstrated rapid and substantial accumulation of [177Lu]Lu-P15-073 in bone metastases, with minimal uptake in blood and other organs. The absorbed dose in the critical organ, red marrow, was measured at (0.034 ± 0.010 mSv/MBq), with a notably low normalized effective dose (0.013 ± 0.005 mSv/MBq) compared to other 177Lu-labeled bisphosphonates. Persistent high uptake in bone metastases was observed, resulting in elevated tumor doses (median 3.12Gy/GBq). Patients exhibited favorable tolerance to [177Lu]Lu-P15-073 therapy, with no new instances of side effects. Additionally, 87.5% (7/8) of patients experienced a significant reduction in pain scale (numerical rating scale, NRS, from 5.1 ± 2.3 to 3.0 ± 1.8). The tumor-background ratio (TBRmean) of [99mTc]Tc-MDP correlated significantly with [177Lu]Lu-P15-073 uptake (P < 0.01), indicating its potential for prediction of absorbed dose. This study demonstrates the safety, dosimetry, and efficacy of a single therapeutic dose of [177Lu]Lu-P15-073 in bone metastases. The treatment was well-tolerated with no severe adverse events. These findings suggest that [177Lu]Lu-P15-073 holds promise as a novel RLT agent for bone metastases.

Acupuncture combined with opioid for treatment of lung cancer-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many individuals diagnosed with lung cancer suffer from tremendous pain, and it is crucial to implement more effective measures to assist these patients in alleviating their pain. The present study utilizes a meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of acupuncture combined with opioids for treating lung cancer-related pain in patients. We have searched 8 electronic databases: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database, and SinoMed. We included all randomized controlled trials of acupuncture combined with opioids for lung cancer-related pain in adults. We observed the main outcome indicators, including pain relief rates, numeric rating scale scores, and adverse events. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, literature data extraction, and assessment of bias risk in the literature quality. Any disagreements were resolved through discussions between the 2 researchers or consultations with a third researcher. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised risk of bias assessment tool. The overall quality of evidence for each outcome was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations. We retrieved 812 lung cancer patients from 11 trials. The study showed that compared to opioids alone, the combination of acupuncture and opioids significantly reduced numeric rating scale scores, increased pain relief rates, and decreased the occurrence of side effects. The current evidence indicates that combining acupuncture with opioid analgesics is superior to using opioid analgesics alone for managing lung cancer-related pain. Additionally, this combination therapy has fewer adverse reactions.

Real-World Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Dupilumab in Bullous Pemphigoid: An Ambispective Multicenter Case Series.

Bullous pemphigoid affects elderly individuals with multiple comorbidities, making conventional treatments unsuitable. Evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid. A multicenter ambispective cohort study was conducted in 34 hospitals. Patients with bullous pemphigoid treated with Dupilumab were included. Most of patients (97.1%) received an initial 600 mg dose followed by 300 mg every two weeks. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving complete remission within 4 weeks, defined as Investigator Global Assessment score of 0 or 1. Complete remission at weeks 16, 24, and 52, adverse events, reductions in peak pruritus numerical rating scale, and systemic glucocorticoid use were also assessed. The study included 103 patients with a median age of 77.3 years, 58.0% male. Complete remission was achieved by 53.4% within 4 weeks and 95.7% by week 52. Peak pruritus scale reduced by 70.0% by week 4 and was completely controlled by week 24. Thirteen patients presented adverse events, most of which were mild. Systemic glucocorticoid use reduced by 82.1% by week 52. Shorter disease duration and exclusive cutaneous involvement predicted better response at 16 weeks. No differences in response rates to dupilumab were observed between drug-associated bullous pemphigoid and idiopathic cases. No significant difference in response rates was observed between patients treated with dupilumab in monotherapy and those receiving dupilumab with concomitant treatments. Dupilumab is effective, rapid, and safe in managing bullous pemphigoid, reducing the need for corticosteroids and other treatments. Early initiation and exclusive skin involvement predict better outcomes.

The effect of an open-heart surgery patient care protocol on post-sternotomy pain, anxiety and quality of care: A randomized controlled trial.

Open-heart surgery patients face many problems because of post-sternotomy pain. Care protocols can eliminate pain and pain-related problems by providing holistic care. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an open-heart surgery patient care protocol developed in the study on post-sternotomy pain, anxiety and quality of care. The study was carried out as a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The sample size was calculated. Considering some attrition, the sample size was increased by 10% for each group, and a total of 68 participants, including 34 in each group, were included in the sample. Data were collected using a 'Patient Information Form', a 'Post-Sternotomy Pain Follow-up Form', the 'Numeric Rating Scale', the 'State Anxiety Inventory' and the 'Strategic and Clinical Quality Indicators in Postoperative Pain Management Questionnaire'. The patients in the experimental group were given care in accordance with the protocol, which was developed in the study, on postoperative days 0, 1 and 2. The statistical evaluation showed a significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental (F = 7.28; p < .001) and control groups (F = 2.42; p < .05) on the pain assessment scale. It was determined that the number of analgesics used in the experimental group was statistically significantly lower than in the control group. Intra-group comparisons showed that there was a difference between the mean pre-test and post-test state anxiety scale scores of the groups (p < .001). The experimental group had higher mean scores on the Strategic and Clinical Quality Indicators in Postoperative Pain Management Questionnaire than that of the control group (p < .001). The protocol developed in the study was found to be effective in reducing pain, the use of NSAIDs and opioids, and anxiety levels and increasing the level of quality of care. The protocol was original and feasible in that it included independent nursing interventions to improve the quality of care by reducing pain and anxiety. Particularly, the use of protocols in intensive care units was nurses' strongest resource in patient care management. Thus, the protocol, which was prepared for intensive care patients who most frequently experience pain and anxiety, was promising for nurses in improving the quality of care by reducing pain and anxiety. However, it is necessary to conduct further studies involving longitudinal follow-up in samples and institutions with similar conditions.

Postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy: A comparison between total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia

Objective: Propofol is more effective than inhalational anesthesia; however, the results for the management of acute pain remain controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence of acute pain after inhalation anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia among patients who underwent thoracotomy at our hospital. Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective observational study using data from electronic medical records. Sixty patients aged ≥20 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I or II who underwent regular and emergency thoracotomy between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2020, at Chungbuk National University Hospital were included in this study. The anesthesia and postoperative pain records of those who received total intravenous anesthesia (n=30) and inhalation anesthesia (n=30) were retrospectively reviewed. The pain score on the numeric rating scale (NRS) was evaluated at 2, 8, 24, and 30 hours postoperatively. Results: The average NRS score of patients who received total intravenous anesthesia was lesser than that of those who received inhalational anesthesia. Moreover, the difference in the NRS scores at eight hours postoperatively was statistically significant (P &lt;0.05). Patients who received inhalational anesthesia had a higher pain score and experienced more severe pain than those who received intravenous anesthesia. Conclusions: Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-remifentanil provided better analgesia for acute postoperative pain in patients who underwent thoracotomy than inhalational anesthesia, suggesting it may be considered the combination of choice for thoracic surgery.Abbreviations: ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists, CRTS: Chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome, GABA: Gamma-aminobutyric acid, IL: Interleukin, NRS: numeric rating scale.doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.9907How to cite this: Lee JY, Jeong ST, Hwang JH, Park SH. Postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy: A comparison between total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(10):2219-2222. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.9907This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome: a pilot study

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the recovery of upper limb in patients with post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Methods This pilot study was conducted with 54 patients with post-stroke CRPS. Patients were randomized into three groups: the MLD combined with rTMS group (MLD + rTMS group), the rTMS group and the sham-rTMS group. The results of numeric rating scale (NRS), volumetric measurement, Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity (FMA-UE), CRPS severity score (CSS), generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) before and after the intervention were analyzed. Results Fifty-four participants (37 males, 17 females; mean age 66.11 ± 8.43 years; range, 18 to 85) were included in the study. Among groups, improvements were statistically significant with superiority of rTMS + MLD group after treatment (p < 0.05). NRS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 in the rTMS + MLD group improved more significantly than those in the rTMS group (p < 0.05). Conclusion MLD combined with rTMS has an add-on efficacy on the basis of rTMS therapy in post-stroke patients, especially in pain. MLD could also have an effect on anxiety and depression.

Rescue analgesia with a transversus abdominis plane block alleviates moderate-to-severe pain and improves oxygenation after abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Abdominal surgery is a common surgical procedure that is frequently associated with substantial postoperative pain. However, rescue analgesia using opioids is associated with several adverse effects. The transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) has been demonstrated to be effective as part of multimodal analgesia. This study aims to evaluate the effects of rescue analgesia using the TAPB following abdominal surgery. Ninety patients undergoing abdominal surgery and reporting a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of cough pain ≥4 on the first postoperative day were randomized to receive either sufentanil or TAPB for rescue analgesia. Pain scores and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) were evaluated before and after the administration of rescue analgesia. Sleep quality and gastrointestinal function were assessed postoperatively. The primary outcome was the degree of pain relief on coughing 30 min after the administration of rescue analgesia. Patients of both groups reported a significantly reduced NRS score on coughing 30 min after receiving rescue analgesia (P paired < 0.001 for both groups). Notably, the degree of pain relief was significantly higher in the TAPB group than in the sufentanil group [median (interquartile range), -3 (-4 to -2) vs. -2 (-2 to -1), median difference = -1; 95% confidence interval, -2 to -1; P < 0.001]. Moreover, patients in the TAPB group experienced less pain than those in the sufentanil group during the following 24 h. When evaluated, PaO2 increased significantly after rescue analgesia was administered in the TAPB group (P paired < 0.001); however, there were no significant intragroup differences in the sufentanil group (P paired = 0.129). Patients receiving the TAPB experienced better quality of sleep than those receiving sufentanil (P = 0.008), while no statistical differences in gastrointestinal function were observed between the two groups. Rescue analgesia with the TAPB on the first postoperative day alleviated pain, enhanced oxygenation, and improved sleep quality in patients undergoing abdominal surgery; however, its effect on gastrointestinal function requires further research. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=170983, ChiCTR2200060285) on 26 May 2022: Patients were recruited during the period between 30 May 2022 and 14 February 2023, and a follow-up of the last enrolled patient was completed on 16 March 2023.