Hypertonic glucose in the treatment of low back pain: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months and is one of the conditions with the most significant social impact. Treatment is complex and includes proliferative agents used in prolotherapy. The mechanism is not known, but osmotic agents (hypertonic solutions of dextrose or glucose) cause cellular rupture and an inflammatory response that releases cytokines and growth factors that lead to scarring and reinnervation.

METHODS

Patients with chronic LBP (>12 weeks) who were non-traumatic and unresponsive to at least 1 month of physical therapy were selected. All patients were followed up at a return visit at 1, 3, and 6 months for pain assessment using validated pain questionnaires and scales.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were included in the conservative group and 19 in the glucose group, with the majority being women (57.9%). The patients were between 47 and 59 years of age (39.5%), mixed race (76.33%), married or in a committed relationship (73.7%), and had completed the study for 5.2 years. Overall mean body mass index was 27.3 ± 4.4 kg/m 2 and was higher in the conservative group (28.0 ± 4.7 kg/m 2 ). The groups showed differences in Visual Analog Scale scores, with median and amplitude values close to each other between the time points evaluated and increasing values in the glucose group, which had significantly higher values for this scale at the third evaluation ( P = .031). When comparing the Rolland-Morris scale scores between the groups, there was a significant difference only in the 3-m assessment ( P = .021). In the follow-up assessment, both groups showed significant improvement between T0 and the other assessment time points ( P < .05) in all evaluations.

CONCLUSION

Both groups significantly improved on the evaluated scales during follow-up. Overall, no effects were attributable to the glucose components or the prolotherapy protocol.

Improved quality of life (EHP-30) in patients with endometriosis after surgical treatment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of patients with endometriosis before and after surgical treatment.

METHODS

An observational, longitudinal, and prospective study was conducted with 102 women with pelvic pain and endometriosis that was unimproved by clinical treatment and indicated for surgical treatment. The patients' quality of life was assessed using the 30-item Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30) questionnaire before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. The statistical tests were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17.0, and the Friedman test was used.

RESULTS

There was a reduction in EHP-30 scores 3 and 6 months after surgery compared to before surgery, as well as 6 months after surgery compared to 3 months after surgery, in the central questionnaire (PART 1) and in Sections A, B, C, E, and F (p<0.0001). For Section D, there was a reduction in scores 6 months after surgery compared to before surgery (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of endometriosis improves quality of life in several areas assessed by the EHP-30 questionnaire.

Use of hypertonic glucose (10%) in the prevention of postoperative adhesions in rats

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of hypertonic glucose (10%), alone or in combination with the corticoid dexamethasone, to prevent peritoneal adhesion following hysterectomy in rats.

Methods

Forty-two adult rats underwent hysterectomy with peritoneal lavage: G1 – glucose (10%); G2 – glucose (10%) and dexamethasone 3 mg·kg^–1; and G3 – physiological saline (PS) 0.9%.

Results

In the macroscopic analysis after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 1, G2 of 1, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001), G3 compared to G1 and G2. There was no difference between groups after 28 days. In the microscopic analysis, the median vascular proliferation after 14 days was 2 for G1, 1 for G2, and 3 for G3 (p = 0.0037, G3 vs. G1 and G2). After 28 days, G1 showed a median vascular proliferation score of 2, G2 of 2.5, and G3 of 3 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. G1 and G2). Regarding the inflammatory reaction after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 2, G2 of 1, and G3 of 3 (p = 0.7916). After 28 days, G1 had a median score of 0.5 (0–1.75), G2 of 1.5, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. the others and G2 vs. G1). In the evaluation of fibrosis after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 1, G2 of 1, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. G1and G2). After 28 days, G1 had a median fibrosis score of 1, G2: 2, and G3: 2.5 (p < 0.0001), G3 vs. the others andG2 vs. G1).

Conclusions

The use of hypertonic glucose (10%) solution seems to reduce macroscopic and microscopic pelvic adhesions.

Pool-based exercise for amelioration of pain in adults with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of pool-based exercises on pain symptomatology among adults with fibromyalgia syndrome.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out using PRISMA guidelines. Database search was conducted by two independent reviewers. For meta-analysis, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain was used as the primary outcome and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) score was utilized as the secondary outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 42 out of 292 potentially eligible studies were selected for being read in full by reviewers, 14 of which were included in meta-analysis, being 10 of them used in sensitivity analysis of either the primary or secondary outcome. Data pooled from 10 randomized controlled trials (n = 508) revealed that patients who underwent pool-based exercises exhibited a significantly lower mean in VAS score as compared to controls (SMD = -0.27, 95% CI: -0.45 to -0.09). Regarding FIQ scores, data from 10 randomized controlled trials were pooled (n = 578) and a lower mean score was also shown in the group that underwent a pool-based exercise program (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.49 to -0.09). Limitations of this study include the small sample size and moderate dropout rates in currently available clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

Pool-based exercise may provide some additional benefit for pain relief in adults with fibromyalgia as compared to either land-based or no physical exercise.

IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Collectively, these findings suggest that pool-based exercise deserves further attention as a potential adjuvant therapeutic option for adults with fibromyalgia. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019136755.

Weight loss and adherence to postoperative follow-up after vertical gastrectomy for obesity treatment

Purpose

To analyze the effectiveness of vertical gastrectomy in the treatment of obese patients, adherence to clinical follow-up and the influence of factors such as gender and age.

Methods

This is a retrospective, observational and descriptive study, conducted with patients undergoing vertical gastrectomy, operated at Hospital São Domingos, between January 2016 and July 2018.

Results

Most patients undergoing vertical gastrectomy were female (n = 193, 72.28%) and had a mean age of37.11 ± 8.96 years old. The loss of follow-up was 56.18%. Among adherent patients (n = 117; 43.82%), most patients were female (n = 89; 76.07%) and had a mean age of 37.92 ± 9.85 years old. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the adherents in the preoperative was 37.85 ± 3.72 kg/m². Both BMI and excess weight (EW) showed a statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative period. Percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) was satisfactory for 96.6% of adherent patients. Older patients had a statistically significant lower % EWL compared to the other groups.

Conclusions

Vertical gastrectomy was effective in the treatment of obese patients, with significant weight loss.

Minimum Effective Analgesic Concentration of Ropivacaine in Saphenous Block Guided by Ultrasound for Knee Arthroscopic Meniscectomy: Randomized, Double-Blind Study

Background

After knee surgery, analgesia should be effective for mobilization and discharge.

Aim of the Study

The primary objective of this study was to achieve the lowest effective analgesic concentration (MEC50 and MEC90) of ropivacaine for saphenous nerve block in arthroscopic meniscectomy. The secondary objective was to determine whether the block causes muscle weakness in the postoperative period.

Methods

The study was randomized, comparative, and double-blind. Fifty-one patients between 18 and 65 years old of both sexes, ASA I or II, who underwent knee arthroscopic meniscectomy at São Domingos Hospital were included. Patients underwent saphenous nerve block with 10 mL of ropivacaine administered by using the up-and-down method. The ropivacaine concentration was determined based on the previous patient’s response (a biased-coin up-down design sequential method). If a patient had a negative response, the concentration of ropivacaine was increased by 0.05% in the next patient; if the response was positive, the next patient was randomized to be administered the same concentration of ropivacaine or a 0.05% lower concentration. Successful block was defined as pain <4 during 6 h. Patients underwent general anesthesia with 30 µg/kg alfentanil and propofol and maintenance with propofol, and, if necessary, remifentanil was administered. Postoperative analgesia was complemented with dipyrone, and if necessary, tramadol (100 mg) could be used. The following parameters were assessed: the success of the block; pain intensity after 2, 4, and 6 h; the consumption of remifentanil; time to the first analgesic supplementation; percent of patients who needed analgesics during 6h; and muscle strength.

Results

The MEC50 of ropivacaine was 0.36%, and the MEC90 was 0.477%. The block was successful in 45 patients.

Conclusion

Saphenous block with 10 mL of 0.36% ropivacaine provides adequate analgesia for outpatient meniscectomy.

[Anesthesia for surgical repair of the pentalogy of Cantrell: case report]

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a congenital anomaly associated with defects in the abdominal wall, sternum, diaphragm, and diaphragmatic pericardium formation, in addition to the development of cardiac abnormalities. It is a rare disease with an estimated incidence of one case for every 65,000 births, being more common in males (60% of cases). It has a reserved prognosis with mortality around 63%, and a maximum of 9 months survival after surgery. There are few case reports addressing the pentalogy of Cantrell, which is justified by the rarity of this pathology. In this report our objective was to describe a surgical case of a female patient and make some anesthetic considerations about this rare congenital malformation.

[Effect of intraoperative intravenous lidocaine on pain and plasma interleukin-6 in patients undergoing hysterectomy]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a predictor of trauma severity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous lidocaine on pain severity and plasma IL-6 after hysterectomy.

METHOD

A prospective, randomized, comparative, double-blind study with 40 patients, aged 18-60 years. G1 received lidocaine (2mg.kg(-1).h(-1)) or G2 received 0.9% saline solution during the operation. Anesthesia was induced with O2/isoflurane. Pain severity (T0: awake and 6, 12, 18 and 24hours), first analgesic request, and dose of morphine in 24hours were evaluated. IL-6 was measured before starting surgery (T0), five hours after the start (T5), and 24hours after the end of surgery (T24).

RESULTS

There was no difference in pain severity between groups. There was a decrease in pain severity between T0 and other measurement times in G1. Time to first supplementation was greater in G2 (76.0±104.4min) than in G1 (26.7±23.3min). There was no difference in supplemental dose of morphine between G1 (23.5±12.6mg) and G2 (18.7±11.3mg). There were increased concentrations of IL-6 in both groups from T0 to T5 and T24. There was no difference in IL-6 dosage between groups. Lidocaine concentration was 856.5±364.1 ng.mL(-1) in T5 and 30.1±14.2 ng.mL(-1) in T24.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous lidocaine (2mg.kg(-1).h(-1)) did not reduce pain severity and plasma levels of IL-6 in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.

Cytokines and pain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Cytokines are necessary for the inflammatory response, favoring proper wound healing. However, exaggerated proinflammatory cytokine production can manifest systemically as hemodynamic instability or metabolic derangements. The objective of this review was to describe the effects of cytokines in pain.

CONTENTS

This article reviews the effects of cytokines in pain. In diseases with acute or chronic inflammation, cytokines can be recognized by neurons and used to trigger several cell reactions that influence the activity, proliferation, and survival of immune cells, as well as the production and activity of other cytokines. Cytokines can be proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory. Proinflammatory cytokines are related with the pathophysiology of pain syndromes. Cells that secrete proinflammatory (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, and TNF) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and TGFβ) cytokines, the functions of each cytokine, and the action of those compounds on pain processing, have been described.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytokines have an important role in pain through different mechanisms in several sites of pain transmission pathways.

[Bilateral trigeminal neuralgia: case report]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Trigeminal neuralgia is an extremely painful condition characterized by recurrent episodes of sudden, lancinating, shock-like pain lasting from a few seconds to two minutes usually unilateral. It has an annual incidence of approximately 4.3 in 100,000 in the general population and only 3% of those cases present bilateral manifestation. The objective of this report was to describe a rare case of bilateral trigeminal neuralgia.

CASE REPORT

A 61 years old housewife from Maranhão, Brazil, married, with a history of hypertension, presented with a six-year history of severe pain in the left V2-V3 regions, lasting 5 to 10 seconds, in the lateral aspect of the nose and mandible, worsening by talking, chewing, and with a decrease in temperature. She had been treated with chlorpromazine (3 mg every eight hours) and carbamazepine (200 mg every eight hours) during six months without improvement. On physical exam, the patient presented thermal and mechanical allodynia in the V2-V3 regions. She was using gabapentin (1,200 mg/day) with partial relief of the pain. The dose of gabapentin was increased to 1,500 mg/day and amitriptyline 12.5 mg at night was added to the therapeutic regimen. The patient evolved with mild and sporadical pain and a reduction in pain severity during 10 months; the dose of gabapentin was progressively reduced to 600 mg/day, and amitriptyline was maintained at 12.5 mg/day. After one year, the patient developed similar pain in the region of the right mandible, which improved with an increase in the dose of gabapentin to 900 mg/day. Head CT and MRI did not show any abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Carbamazepine is the first choice for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia; however, the use of gabapentin as the first pharmacological choice or in cases refractory to conventional therapy has been increasing.