Buprenorphine induced opioid withdrawal syndrome relieved by adjunctive Magnesium: A clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Precipitated opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) is a severe and intolerable situation that may occur by a pharmaceutical agent. Reactivation of inhibited N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in person with prolonged opioid use can led to severe OWS. We conducted a double-blind, randomized clinical trial to assess the effect of magnesium sulfate (MGSO4) as an NMDA receptor antagonist on OWS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study randomly divided forty patients with precipitated OWS due to partial agonist (buprenorphine) use referred to the emergency unit of Toxicology Department of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran; into two groups. The control group received conventional therapies, including clonidine 0.1 mg tablet each hour, intravenous infusion of 10 mg diazepam every 30 min, and IV paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 1 g, while the intervention group received 3 g of MGSO4 in 20 min and then 10 mg/kg/h up to 2 h, in addition to the conventional treatment. The clinical opiate withdrawal scale (COWS) evaluated OWS at the start of the treatment, 30 min, and 2 h later.

RESULTS

Both groups had similar demographic, opiate types, and COWS severity at the start of the intervention. COWS was lower in the intervention than the control group at 30 min (11.20 ± 2.86 and 14.65 ± 2.36, respectively, P = 0.002) and at 2 h (3.2 ± 1.61 and 11.25 ± 3.27, respectively, P < 0.001) after treatment. The intervention group received lesser doses of clonidine (0.12 ± 0.51 and 0.17 ± 0.45 mg, P = 0.003) and Diazepam (13.50 ± 5.87, 24.0 ± 6.80 mg, P = 0.001) than the control group. Serum magnesium levels raised from 1.71 ± 0.13 mmol/L to 2.73 ± 0.13 mmol/L in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

Magnesium can significantly reduce the severity of OWS. Additional studies are required to confirm these results.

Intraoperative clonidine in endometriosis and spine surgery: A protocol for two randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trials

BACKGROUND

A high proportion of patients who undergo surgery continue to suffer from moderate to severe pain in the early postoperative period despite advances in pain management strategies. Previous studies suggest that clonidine, an alpha2 adrenergic agonist, administered during the perioperative period could reduce acute postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption. However, these studies have several limitations related to study design and sample size and hence, further studies are needed.

AIM

To investigate the effect of a single intravenous (IV) dose of intraoperative clonidine on postoperative opioid consumption, pain intensity, nausea, vomiting and sedation after endometriosis and spine surgery.

METHODS

Two separate randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trials are planned. Patients scheduled for endometriosis (CLONIPAIN) will be randomised to receive either 150 μg intraoperative IV clonidine or placebo (isotonic saline). Patients undergoing spine surgery (CLONISPINE) will receive 3 μg/kg intraoperative IV clonidine or placebo. We aim to include 120 patients in each trial to achieve power of 90% at an alpha level of 0.05.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome is opioid consumption within the first three postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity at rest and during coughing, nausea, vomiting and sedation within the first two postoperative hours and opioid consumption within the first six postoperative hours. Time to discharge from the PACU will be registered.

CONCLUSION

This study is expected to provide valuable information on the efficacy of intraoperative clonidine in acute postoperative pain management in patients undergoing endometriosis and spine surgery.

Diarrhoea of unknown cause: medical treatment in a stepwise manner

The basic principle for the treatment of idiopathic diarrhoea (functional diarrhoea K59.1) is to delay transit through the gut in order to promote the absorption of electrolytes and water. Under mild conditions, bulking agents may suffice. With increasing severity, antidiarrhoeal pharmaceuticals may be added in a stepwise manner. In diarrhoea of unknown aetiology, peripherally-acting opioid receptor agonists, such as loperamide, are first-line treatment and forms the pharmaceutical basis of antidiarrheal treatment. As second-line treatment opium drops have an approved indication for severe diarrhoea when other treatment options fail. Beyond this, various treatment options are built on experience with more advanced treatments using clonidine, octreotide, as well as GLP-1 and GLP-2 analogs which require specialist knowledge the field.

A Comparative Study of the Antiemetic Effects of α2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists Clonidine and Dexmedetomidine against Diverse Emetogens in the Least Shrew (Cryptotis parva) Model of Emesis

In contrast to cats and dogs, here we report that the α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine is emetic and corresponding agonists clonidine and dexmedetomidine behave as antiemetics in the least shrew model of vomiting. Yohimbine (0, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mg/kg, i.p.) caused vomiting in shrews in a bell-shaped and dose-dependent manner, with a maximum frequency (0.85 ± 0.22) at 1 mg/kg, which was accompanied by a key central contribution as indicated by increased expression of c-fos, serotonin and substance P release in the shrew brainstem emetic nuclei. Our comparative study in shrews demonstrates that clonidine (0, 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and dexmedetomidine (0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) not only suppress yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p.)-evoked vomiting in a dose-dependent manner, but also display broad-spectrum antiemetic effects against diverse well-known emetogens, including 2-Methyl-5-HT, GR73632, McN-A-343, quinpirole, FPL64176, SR141716A, thapsigargin, rolipram, and ZD7288. The antiemetic inhibitory ID50 values of dexmedetomidine against the evoked emetogens are much lower than those of clonidine. At its antiemetic doses, clonidine decreased shrews' locomotor activity parameters (distance moved and rearing), whereas dexmedetomidine did not do so. The results suggest that dexmedetomidine represents a better candidate for antiemetic potential with advantages over clonidine.

The Effect of Clonidine Premedication on Hemodynamic Changes Following Tracheal Intubation and Co2 Gas Insufflation and Postoperative Shivering In Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy; a Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a proper treatment for cholecystitis but the Carbon dioxide gas which is used in surgery stimulates the sympathetic system and causes hemodynamic changes and postoperative shivering in patients undergoing operations. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of clonidine on reducing hemodynamic changes during tracheal intubation and Carbon dioxide gas insufflation and postoperative shivering in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective, randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients between the 18-70 years-old age group, who were candidates of laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. The patients randomized into two groups (30 patients received 150 μg oral clonidine) and 30 patients received 100 mg oral Vitamin C). Heart rate and mean arterial pressure of patients were recorded before anesthesia, before and after laryngoscopy, before and after Carbon dioxide gas insufflation. Data were analyzed using Chi-2, student t-test, and analysis of variance by repeated measure considering at a significant level less than 0.05.

RESULTS

The findings of this study showed that both heart rate and mean arterial pressure in clonidine group after tracheal intubation and Carbon dioxide gas insufflation were lower than patients in the placebo group, but there was not any statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05) and also postoperative shivering was not different in groups. There was no significant statistical difference in postoperative shivering between the two groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Using 150 μg oral clonidine as a cheap and affordable premedication in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy improves hemodynamic stability during operation.

Blood pressure response to clonidine in children with short stature is correlated with postural characteristics: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Clonidine stimulation test has been widely used in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in children with short stature with a high level of reliability. However, it may cause hypotension, which usually appears as headache, dizziness, bradycardia, and even syncope. It is well known that elevating the beds to make patients' feet above their cardiac level might relieve this discomfort. However, the real efficiency of this method remains to be proved while the best angle for the elevated bed is still unclear.

METHODS

A total of 1200 children with short stature were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Age, gender, weight, and basic systolic and diastolic blood pressure were collected. Blood pressure at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after stimulation tests were recorded. The participants were divided into 3 groups based on the angles of the elevated foot of their beds named 0°, 20°, and 40° groups.

RESULTS

At one hour after the commencement of the tests, participants lying on the elevated beds showed a higher mean increase on the change of pulse pressure. The difference in the angles of the elevated beds did not show statistical significance compared with those who did not elevate their beds (0.13 vs. 2.83, P = 0.001; 0.13 vs. 2.18, P = 0.005; 2.83 vs. 2.18, P = 0.369). When it came to 4 h after the tests began, participants whose beds were elevated at an angle around 20° had a significantly higher mean increase in the change of pulse pressure values compared with those whose beds were elevated at an angle around 40° (1.46 vs. -0.05, P = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

Elevating the foot of the beds of the patients who are undergoing clonidine stimulation tests at an angle of 20°might be a good choice to alleviate the hypotension caused by the tests.

Dexmedetomidine and clonidine in palliative medicine: multicentric qualitative evaluation

OBJECTIVES

Alpha-2 agonists have analgesic and sedative properties that can prove interesting in palliative care. The main objective of this study was to describe the use of clonidine and dexmedetomidine in palliative care units (PCU). The secondary objective was to identify physicians' perspectives and attitudes toward alpha-2-agonists.

METHODS

International multicentric qualitative survey of prescribing characteristics and attitudes towards alpha-2 agonist. All 159 PCUs in France, Belgium and French-speaking Switzerland were contacted, and 142 physicians answered the questionnaire (31% participation).

RESULTS

20% of the practitioners surveyed prescribe these molecules are mainly for analgesic and sedative indications. There was considerable heterogeneity in the modalities and dosages of administration. The use of clonidine is more frequent and common in Belgium, while dexmedetomidine is only used in France. There is a high level of satisfaction among practitioners who use these molecules, with the desire of the majority of respondents to obtain additional studies and information on alpha-2-agonists.

CONCLUSION

Alpha-2 agonists are little known and little prescribed by French-speaking palliative care physicians but are of interest because of their potential in this field. Phase 3 studies could justify the use of these molecules in palliative situations and would contribute to harmonising professional practices.

A randomized double-blind trial of clonidine and colesevelam for women with fecal incontinence

BACKGROUND

Diarrhea and rectal urgency are risk factors for fecal incontinence (FI). The effectiveness of bowel modifiers for improving FI is unclear.

METHODS

In this double-blind, parallel-group, randomized trial, women with urge FI were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a combination of oral clonidine (0.1 mg twice daily) with colesevelam (1875 mg twice daily) or two inert tablets for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was a ≥50% decrease in number of weekly FI episodes.

KEY RESULTS

Fifty-six participants were randomly assigned to clonidine-colesevelam (n = 24) or placebo (n = 32); 51 (91%) completed 4 weeks of treatment. At baseline, participants had a mean (SD) of 7.5 (8.2) FI episodes weekly. The primary outcome was met for 13 of 24 participants (54%) treated with clonidine-colesevelam versus 17 of 32 (53%) treated with placebo (p = 0.85). The Bristol stool form score decreased significantly, reflecting more formed stools with clonidine-colesevelam treatment (mean [SD], 4.5 [1.5] to 3.2 [1.5]; p = 0.02) but not with placebo (4.2 [1.9] to 4.1 [1.9]; p = 0.47). The proportion of FI episodes for semiformed stools decreased significantly from a mean (SD) of 76% (8%) to 61% (10%) in the clonidine-colesevelam group (p = 0.007) but not the placebo group (61% [8%] to 67% [8%]; p = 0.76). However, these treatment effects did not differ significantly between groups. Overall, clonidine-colesevelam was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

Compared with placebo, clonidine-colesevelam did not significantly improve FI despite being associated with more formed stools and fewer FI episodes for semiformed stools.

Comparative retention and effectiveness of migraine preventive treatments: A nationwide registry-based cohort study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Little is known about the comparative effects of migraine preventive drugs. We aimed to estimate treatment retention and effectiveness of migraine preventive drugs in a nationwide registry-based cohort study in Norway between 2010 and 2020.

METHODS

We assessed retention, defined as the number of uninterrupted treatment days, and effectiveness, defined as the reduction in filled triptan prescriptions during four 90-day periods after the first preventive prescription, compared to a 90-day baseline period. We compared retention and efficacy for different drugs against beta blockers. Comparative retention was estimated with hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for covariates, using Cox regression, and effectiveness as odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression, with propensity-weighted adjustment for covariates.

RESULTS

We identified 104,072 migraine patients, 81,890 of whom were female (78.69%) and whose mean (standard deviation) age was 44.60 (15.61) years. Compared to beta blockers, botulinum toxin (HR 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42-0.44) and calcitonin gene-related peptide pathway antibodies (CGRPabs; HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.59-0.66) were the least likely to be discontinued, while clonidine (HR 2.95, 95% CI 2.88-3.02) and topiramate (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.31-1.37) were the most likely to be discontinued. Patients on simvastatin, CGRPabs, and amitriptyline were more likely to achieve a clinically significant reduction in triptan use during the first 90 days of treatment, with propensity score-adjusted ORs of 1.28 (95% CI 1.19-1.38), 1.23 (95% CI 0.79-1.90), and 1.13 (95% CI 1.08-1.17), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a favorable effect of CGRPabs, amitriptyline, and simvastatin compared with beta blockers, while topiramate and clonidine were associated with poorer outcomes.

Alpha 2 agonists for sedation to produce better outcomes from critical illness (A2B Trial): protocol for a multicentre phase 3 pragmatic clinical and cost-effectiveness randomised trial in the UK

INTRODUCTION

Almost all patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) in intensive care units (ICUs) require analgesia and sedation. The most widely used sedative drug is propofol, but there is uncertainty whether alpha2-agonists are superior. The alpha 2 agonists for sedation to produce better outcomes from critical illness (A2B) trial aims to determine whether clonidine or dexmedetomidine (or both) are clinically and cost-effective in MV ICU patients compared with usual care.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Adult ICU patients within 48 hours of starting MV, expected to require at least 24 hours further MV, are randomised in an open-label three arm trial to receive propofol (usual care) or clonidine or dexmedetomidine as primary sedative, plus analgesia according to local practice. Exclusions include patients with primary brain injury; postcardiac arrest; other neurological conditions; or bradycardia. Unless clinically contraindicated, sedation is titrated using weight-based dosing guidance to achieve a Richmond-Agitation-Sedation score of -2 or greater as early as considered safe by clinicians. The primary outcome is time to successful extubation. Secondary ICU outcomes include delirium and coma incidence/duration, sedation quality, predefined adverse events, mortality and ICU length of stay. Post-ICU outcomes include mortality, anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress, cognitive function and health-related quality of life at 6-month follow-up. A process evaluation and health economic evaluation are embedded in the trial.The analytic framework uses a hierarchical approach to maximise efficiency and control type I error. Stage 1 tests whether each alpha2-agonist is superior to propofol. If either/both interventions are superior, stages 2 and 3 testing explores which alpha2-agonist is more effective. To detect a mean difference of 2 days in MV duration, we aim to recruit 1437 patients (479 per group) in 40-50 UK ICUs.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Scotland A REC approved the trial (18/SS/0085). We use a surrogate decision-maker or deferred consent model consistent with UK law. Dissemination will be via publications, presentations and updated guidelines.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03653832.

Efficacy and safety of tramadol in the treatment of opioid withdrawal: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Pharmacotherapeutic options for the treatment of opioid withdrawal are limited by abuse potential, adverse effects, and lack of availability of existing drugs. The results from previous clinical trials on tramadol are contradictory and non-conclusive; hence the present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tramadol in the treatment of opioid withdrawal.

METHODS

Reviewers extracted data from eight relevant clinical trials after a literature search on MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane databases, and clinical trial registries. Quality assessment was done using the risk-of-bias assessment tool, and the random-effects model was used to estimate effect size in frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were done as applicable. PRISMA guidelines were followed in reporting findings.

RESULTS

Tramadol significantly reduced opioid withdrawal scale score (SMD: -0.44; 95%CI: -0.76 to -0.13; PI: -1.54 to 0.71; p = 0.006) when all comparators were considered together in the frequentist approach but the reduction was non-significant in Bayesian approach. However, the subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference between tramadol and comparators like placebo (SMD: -1.12; 95%CI: -2.69 to 0.45) buprenorphine (SMD: -0.21; 95%CI: -0.43 to 0.01), clonidine (SMD: -0.26; 95%CI: -0.55 to 0.02) and methadone (SMD: -0.84; 95%CI: -1.78 to 0.10). Meta-regression showed non-significant associations between the SMD in opioid withdrawal score with the duration and dose of tramadol therapy. There were no significant differences in treatment retention at the end of studies between tramadol and comparators. Safety data in the individual studies were inadequate to analyze.

CONCLUSION

Authors conclude that the efficacy of tramadol in reducing opioid withdrawal symptoms is not significantly different from comparators with low certainty of evidence against placebo, moderate against methadone, whereas with high certainty of evidence against buprenorphine and clonidine.

Postoperative recovery in preschool-aged children: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing premedication with midazolam, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine

BACKGROUND

Preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients can worsen postoperative outcomes and delay discharge. Drugs aimed at reducing preoperative anxiety and facilitating postoperative recovery are available; however, their effects on postoperative recovery from propofol-remifentanil anesthesia have not been studied in preschool-aged children. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of three sedative premedications on postoperative recovery from total intravenous anesthesia in children aged 2-6 years.

METHODS

In this prespecified secondary analysis of a double-blinded randomized trial, 90 children scheduled for ear, nose, and throat surgery were randomized (1:1:1) to receive sedative premedication: oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg, oral clonidine 4 μg/kg, or intranasal dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg. Using validated instruments, outcome measures including time for readiness to discharge from the postoperative care unit, postoperative sedation, emergence delirium, anxiety, pain, and nausea/vomiting were measured.

RESULTS

After excluding eight children due to drug refusal or deviation from the protocol, 82 children were included in this study. No differences were found between the groups in terms of median time [interquartile range] to readiness for discharge (midazolam, 90 min [48]; clonidine, 80 min [46]; dexmedetomidine 100.5 min [42]). Compared to the midazolam group, logistic regression with a mixed model and repeated measures approach found no differences in sedation, less emergence delirium, and less pain in the dexmedetomidine group, and less anxiety in both clonidine and dexmedetomidine groups.

CONCLUSIONS

No statistical difference was observed in the postoperative recovery times between the premedication regimens. Compared with midazolam, dexmedetomidine was favorable in reducing both emergence delirium and pain in the postoperative care unit, and both clonidine and dexmedetomidine reduced anxiety in the postoperative care unit. Our results indicated that premedication with α2 -agonists had a better recovery profile than short-acting benzodiazepines; although the overall recovery time in the postoperative care unit was not affected.

Comparison of the effect of scalp block analgesia bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2 μg/kg with bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg on cortisol levels and Numeric Rating Scale in craniotomy tumour

INTRODUCTION

Craniotomy tumour is brain surgery that can induce a stress response. The stress response can be measured using haemodynamic parameters and plasma cortisol concentration. The stress response that occurs can affect an increase in sympathetic response, such as blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure. Scalp block can reduce the stress response to surgery and post-operative craniotomy tumour pain. The local anaesthetic drug bupivacaine 0.25% is effective in reducing post-operative pain and stress in the form of reducing plasma cortisol levels. The adjuvant addition of clonidine 2 μg/kg or dexamethasone may be beneficial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomised control clinical trial was conducted at the Central Surgery Installation and Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung and Dr. Mohammad Husein Hospital Palembang from December 2022 to June 2023. A total of 40 participants were divided into two groups using block randomisation. Group I receives bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2 μg/kg, and group II receives bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg. The plasma cortisol levels of the patient will be assessed at (T0, T1 and T2). All the patient were intubated under general anesthaesia and received the drug for scalp block based on the group being randomised. Haemodynamic monitoring was carried out.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in administering bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2μg/kg compared to administering bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg/kg as analgesia for scalp block in tumour craniotomy patients on cortisol levels at 12 hours post-operatively (T1) (p=0.048) and 24 hours post-surgery (T2) (p=0.027), while post-intubation cortisol levels (T0) found no significant difference (p=0.756). There is a significant difference in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at post-intubation (T0) (p=0.003), 12 hours post-operatively (T1) (p=0.002) and 24 hours post-surgery (T2) (p=0.004), There were no postprocedure scalp block side effects in both groups.

CONCLUSION

The study found that scalp block with 0.25% bupivacaine and 2μg/kg clonidine is more effective in reducing NRS scores and cortisol levels compared bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8mg in tumour craniotomy patients.

Effectiveness of oral clonidine and gabapentin on peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients in southwestern Iran: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Peripheral neuropathy is not only the most prevalent consequence of diabetes but also the main reason for foot ulceration, disability, and amputation. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the effectiveness of oral clonidine and gabapentin on peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients.

METHODS

This 12-week, randomized, and parallel-group trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of oral clonidine and gabapentin with gabapentin alone in diabetic patients in southwest Iran during the first half of 2021. Thirty patients with type 2 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy as assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and divided into two groups of 15 patients, treated for up to three months. The data were analyzed using SPSS-21 software. In order to report the results, descriptive indices, independent t-test, one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and analysis of variance with repeated measures were used.

RESULTS

The mean and standard deviation of the age of the participants in the clonidine + gabapentin group was equal to 50.20 ± 7.44, and in the gabapentin group was equal to 50.47 ± 7.57 (t = 0.10, P-value = 0.923). This research showed a significant difference between the clonidine + gabapentin group and with gabapentin group in terms of neuropathic pain and the severity of neuropathic pain (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

According to this research results, clonidine + gabapentin can reduce neuropathic pain and the severity of neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare professionals with diabetes expertise prescribe these medications to reduce neuropathic pain and its severity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered in the Iranian Clinical Trials System with the ID (IRCT20211106052983N1) on 14/01/2022.

Pharmacologic interventions for the therapy of postanesthetic shivering in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Shivering is a common side effect after general anesthesia. Risk factors are hypothermia, young age and postoperative pain. Severe complications of shivering are rare but can occur due to increased oxygen consumption. Previous systematic reviews are outdated and have summarized the evidence on the topic using only pairwise comparisons. The objective of this manuscript was a quantitative synthesis of evidence on pharmacological interventions to treat postanesthetic shivering.

EVIDENCE ACQUSITION

Systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis using the R package netmeta. Endpoints were the risk ratio (RR) of persistent shivering at one, five and 10 minutes after treatment with saline/placebo as the comparator. Data were retrieved from Medline, Embase, Central and Web of Science up to January 2022. Eligibility criteria were: randomized, controlled, and blinded trials comparing pharmacological interventions to treat shivering after general anesthesia. Studies on shivering during or after any type of regional anesthesia were excluded as well as sedated patients after cardiac surgery.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Thirty-two trials were eligible for data synthesis, including 28 pharmacological interventions. The largest network included 1431 patients. The network geometry was two-centered with most comparisons linked to saline/placebo or pethidine. The best interventions were after one minute: doxapram 2 mg/kg, tramadol 2 mg/kg and nefopam 10 mg, after 5 minutes: tramadol 2 mg/kg, nefopam 10 mg and clonidine 150 µg and after 10 minutes: nefopam 10 mg, methylphenidate 20 mg and tramadol 1 mg/kg, all reaching statistical significance. Pethidine 25 mg and clonidine 75 µg also performed well and with statistical significance in all networks.

CONCLUSIONS

Nefopam, tramadol, pethidine and clonidine are the most effective treatments to stop postanesthetic shivering. The efficacy of doxapram is uncertain since different doses showed contradictory effects and the evidence for methylphenidate is based on a single comparison in only one network. Furthermore, both lack data on side effects. Further studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of dexmedetomidine to treat postanesthetic shivering.

The interest of intranasal clonidine in the prevention of perioperative children's anxiety: a prospective randomized trial

Introduction

perioperative anxiety in children may lead to psychological and physiological side effects. Clonidine is in increasing use in the pediatric population as an anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic because of its central alpha2-adrenergic agonist effect. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of clonidine in the prevention of perioperative children´s anxiety.

Methods

we conducted a prospective controlled randomized double-blinded clinical trial including children aged between 2 and 15 years undergoing tonsillectomy surgery. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either an intranasal dose of clonidine (4 μg/kg) (clonidine group) or an equal volume dose of saline solution (control group) 30 minutes before entering the operating room. The level of anxiety assessed using the m-YPAS score was recorded before premedication, at the time of parent-child separation, and at the time of installation in the operating room. Acceptance of premedication, degree of sedation on entering the operating room as well as agitation on awakening, and sedation on arrival post-anesthesia care unit were noted. Adverse effects were recorded during the surgical procedure and in the postoperative recovery room.

Results

the number of patients analyzed was 78 with 39 patients in each group. There were no signification differences in demographic data and premedication acceptance between the two groups. Levels of anxiety before any premedication were similar in the two groups. However, the anxiety level 30 minutes after premedication and in the operating room was significantly lower in the clonidine group (p<0.001). Children who received clonidine showed better sedation on entering the operating room (p=0.002) as well as postoperatively on entering the post-anesthesia unit care (p=0.006). The hemodynamic and respiratory parameters recorded were statistically comparable.

Conclusion

intranasal clonidine is an interesting premedication to prevent perioperative children´s anxiety with few side effects.

Multimodal intrathecal analgesia (MITA) with morphine for reducing postoperative opioid use and acute pain following hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery: A multicenter retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

The optimal analgesic modality for patients undergoing hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery remains unknown. The analgesic effects of a multimodal intrathecal analgesia (MITA) technique of intrathecal morphine (ITM) in combination with clonidine and bupivacaine compared to ITM alone have not been investigated in these patients.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing complex HPB surgery who received ITM, bupivacaine, and clonidine (MITA group) or ITM-only (ITM group) as part of their perioperative analgesia strategy. The primary outcome was the unadjusted oral morphine equivalent daily dose (oMEDD) in milligrams on postoperative day 1. After adjusting for age, body mass index, hospital allocation, type of surgery, operation length, and intraoperative opioid use, postoperative oMEDD use was investigated using a bootstrapped quantile regression model. Other prespecified outcomes included postoperative pain scores, opioid-related adverse events, major complications, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

In total, 118 patients received MITA and 155 patients received ITM-only. The median (IQR) cumulative oMEDD use on postoperative day 1 was 20.5 mg (8.6:31.0) in the MITA group and 52.1 mg (18.0:107.0) in the ITM group (P < 0.001). There was a variation in the magnitude of the difference in oMEDD use between the groups for different quartiles. For the MITA group, on postoperative day 1, patients in the 25th percentile required 14.0 mg less oMEDD (95% CI: -25.9 to -2.2; P = 0.025), patients in the 50th percentile required 27.8 mg less oMEDD (95% CI: -49.7 to -6.0; P = 0.005), and patients in the 75th percentile required 38.7 mg less oMEDD (95% CI: -72.2 to -5.1; P = 0.041) compared to patients in the same percentile of the ITM group. Patients in the MITA group had significantly lower pain scores in the postoperative recovery unit and on postoperative days 1 to 3. The incidence of postoperative respiratory depression was low (<1.5%) and similar between groups. Patients in the MITA group had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative hypotension requiring vasopressor support. However, no significant differences were observed in major postoperative complications, or the length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing complex HPB surgery, the use of MITA, consisting of ITM in combination with intrathecal clonidine and bupivacaine, was associated with reduced postoperative opioid use and resulted in superior postoperative analgesia without risk of respiratory depression when compared to patients who received ITM alone. A randomized prospective clinical trial investigating these two intrathecal analgesic techniques is justified.

Ropivacaine-Epinephrine-Clonidine-Ketorolac Cocktail as a Local Anesthetic for Lumbar Decompression Surgery: A Single Institutional Experience

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is to discuss our initial experience with a multimodal opioid-sparing cocktail containing ropivacaine, epinephrine, clonidine, and ketorolac (RECK) in the postoperative management of lumbar decompression surgeries.

METHODS

Patients were either administered no local anesthetic at the incision site or were administered a weight-based amount of RECK into the paraspinal musculature and subdermal space surrounding the operative site once the fascia was closed. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients 18 years of age or older undergoing lumbar laminectomy and lumbar diskectomy surgeries between December 2019 and April 2021. Outcomes including total opioid use, measured as morphine milligram equivalent, length of stay, and postoperative visual analog scores for pain, were collected. Relationships between variables were analyzed with Student's t-test, chi-square tests, and Fisher exact tests.

RESULTS

A total of 121 patients undergoing 52 lumbar laminectomy and 69 lumbar diskectomy surgeries were identified. For lumbar laminectomy, patients who were administered RECK had decreased opioid use in the postoperative period (11.47 ± 12.32 vs. 78.51 ± 106.10 morphine milligram equivalents, P = 0.019). For patients undergoing lumbar diskectomies, RECK administration led to a shorter length of stay (0.17 ± 0.51 vs. 0.79 ± 1.45 days, P = 0.019) and a lower 2-hour postoperative pain score (3.69 ± 2.56 vs. 5.41 ± 2.28, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

The RECK cocktail has potential to be an effective therapeutic option for the postoperative management of lumbar decompression surgeries.

Effect of propranolol and clonidine after severe traumatic brain injury: a pilot randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of combined adrenergic blockade with propranolol and clonidine in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

BACKGROUND

Administration of adrenergic blockade after severe TBI is common. To date, no prospective trial has rigorously evaluated this common therapy for benefit.

METHODS

This phase II, single-center, double-blinded, pilot randomized placebo-controlled trial included patients aged 16-64 years with severe TBI (intracranial hemorrhage and Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8) within 24 h of ICU admission. Patients received propranolol and clonidine or double placebo for 7 days. The primary outcome was ventilator-free days (VFDs) at 28 days. Secondary outcomes included catecholamine levels, hospital length of stay, mortality, and long-term functional status. A planned futility assessment was performed mid-study.

RESULTS

Dose compliance was 99%, blinding was intact, and no open-label agents were used. No treatment patient experienced dysrhythmia, myocardial infarction, or cardiac arrest. The study was stopped for futility after enrolling 47 patients (26 placebo, 21 treatment), per a priori stopping rules. There was no significant difference in VFDs between treatment and control groups [0.3 days, 95% CI (- 5.4, 5.8), p = 1.0]. Other than improvement of features related to sympathetic hyperactivity (mean difference in Clinical Features Scale (CFS) 1.7 points, CI (0.4, 2.9), p = 0.012), there were no between-group differences in the secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Despite the safety and feasibility of adrenergic blockade with propranolol and clonidine after severe TBI, the intervention did not alter the VFD outcome. Given the widespread use of these agents in TBI care, a multi-center investigation is warranted to determine whether adrenergic blockade is of therapeutic benefit in patients with severe TBI. Trial Registration Number NCT01322048.

In utero exposure to ADHD medication and long-term offspring outcomes

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication is increasingly being used during pregnancy. Concerns have been raised as to whether ADHD medication has long-term adverse effects on the offspring. The authors investigated whether in utero exposure to ADHD medication was associated with adverse long-term neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in offspring. The population-based cohort study in the Danish national registers included 1,068,073 liveborn singletons from 1998 to 2015 followed until any developmental diagnosis, death, emigration, or December 31, 2018. Children of mothers who continued ADHD medication (methylphenidate, amphetamine, dexamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine, modafinil, atomoxetine, clonidine) during pregnancy and children of mothers who discontinued ADHD medication before pregnancy were compared using Cox regression. Main outcomes were neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, impairments in vision or hearing, epilepsy, seizures, or growth impairment during childhood or adolescence. In total, 898 children were exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy compared to 1270 children whose mothers discontinued ADHD medication before pregnancy. After adjustment for demographic and psychiatric characteristics of the mother, no increased risk of any offspring developmental disorders was found combined (aHR 0.97, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.17) or for separate subcategories. Similarly, no increased risk was found for any sub-categories of outcomes in the negative control or sibling controlled analyses. Neurodevelopment and growth in offspring do not differ based on antenatal exposure to ADHD medication. These findings provide reassurance for women with ADHD who depend on ADHD medication for daily functioning and who consider continuing medication in pregnancy.

Pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management in newborn infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia

BACKGROUND

Newborn infants affected by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) undergo therapeutic hypothermia. As this treatment seems to be associated with pain, and intensive and invasive care is needed, pharmacological interventions are often used. Moreover, painful procedures in the newborn period can affect pain responses later in life, impair brain development, and possibly have a long-term negative impact on neurodevelopment and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management in newborn infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Primary outcomes were analgesia and sedation, and all-cause mortality to discharge.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and the trial register ISRCTN in August 2021. We also checked the reference lists of relevant articles to identify additional studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials (RCT), quasi-RCTs and cluster-randomized trials comparing drugs used for the management of pain or sedation, or both, during therapeutic hypothermia: any opioids (e.g. morphine, fentanyl), alpha-2 agonists (e.g. clonidine, dexmedetomidine), N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (e.g. ketamine), other analgesics (e.g. paracetamol), and sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines such as midazolam) versus another drug, placebo, no intervention, or non-pharmacological interventions.  Primary outcomes were analgesia and sedation, and all-cause mortality to discharge.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed studies identified by the search strategy for inclusion. We planned to use the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence. We planned to assess the methodological quality of included trials using Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (EPOC) criteria (assessing randomization, blinding, loss to follow-up, and handling of outcome data). We planned to evaluate treatment effects using a fixed-effect model with risk ratio (RR) for categorical data and mean, standard deviation (SD), and mean difference (MD) for continuous data.  MAIN RESULTS: We did not find any completed studies for inclusion. Amongst the four excluded studies, topiramate and atropine were used in two and one trial, respectively; one study used dexmedetomidine and was initially reported in 2019 to be a randomized trial. However, it was an observational study (correction in 2021). We identified one ongoing study comparing dexmedetomidine to morphine.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no studies that met our inclusion criteria and hence there is no evidence to recommend or refute the use of pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management in newborn infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.

Clonidine as analgesia during retinopathy of prematurity screening in preterm infants (cloROP): protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Preterm infants are at risk of negative consequences from stress and pain at the same time as they often are in need of intensive care that includes painful interventions. One of the frequent painful procedures preterm infants undergo is eye examination screening to detect early signs of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity). These examinations are both stressful and painful, and despite a multitude of research studies, no conclusive pain-relieving treatment has been demonstrated. The main aim of this trial is to investigate the analgesic effect of clonidine during ROP eye examinations.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The planned study is a multicentre randomised controlled trial with a crossover design. Infants will be recruited from two different neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Sweden. Infants born before gestation week 30 (and therefore eligible for ROP screening) and cared for in either of the NICUs will be eligible for inclusion in the study. The primary outcome will be Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised score within 30 s after starting the examination. Secondary outcomes will be changes in the galvanic skin response parameters (area small peaks, area huge peaks, peaks per second and average rise time) within 30 s after starting the eye examination, together with the number and evaluation of adverse events reported within 72 hours after the examination and the examining physician's assessment of how easy the infant was to examine.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority and the Swedish Medical Products Agency has been obtained for the study. Parents of eligible infants will be getting both verbal and written information about the study including that participation is voluntary. Data will be collected and treated in accordance with the European general data protection regulations. The results will be reported on group level and published in a scientific journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04902859).EudraCT (2021-003005-21).

Noradrenaline and Movement Initiation Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pharmacological Functional MRI Study with Clonidine

Slowness of movement initiation is a cardinal motor feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is not fully reverted by current dopaminergic treatments. This trouble could be due to the dysfunction of executive processes and, in particular, of inhibitory control of response initiation, a function possibly associated with the noradrenergic (NA) system. The implication of NA in the network supporting proactive inhibition remains to be elucidated using pharmacological protocols. For that purpose, we administered 150 μg of clonidine to 15 healthy subjects and 12 parkinsonian patients in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design. Proactive inhibition was assessed by means of a Go/noGo task, while pre-stimulus brain activity was measured by event-related functional MRI. Acute reduction in noradrenergic transmission induced by clonidine enhanced difficulties initiating movements reflected by an increase in omission errors and modulated the activity of the anterior node of the proactive inhibitory network (dorsomedial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices) in PD patients. We conclude that NA contributes to movement initiation by acting on proactive inhibitory control via the α2-adrenoceptor. We suggest that targeting noradrenergic dysfunction may represent a new treatment approach in some of the movement initiation disorders seen in Parkinson’s disease.

Clonidine ameliorates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by up-regulating the GluN3 subunits of NMDA receptor

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) agonist, clonidine, on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and elaborate the underlying mechanisms. Cerebral I/R model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 4 h in adult male SD rats. Saline, clonidine and yohimbine (an α2-AR antagonist) were intraperitoneally administered each day for one week before surgery. Neurological deficit was evaluated just before decapitation. TTC staining was applied for correlation of cerebral infarction volume. HE staining was performed to observe the neuron morphology. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the localization and expression of GluN3 proteins. Western blot analysis also was used to detect the expression levels of GluN3 proteins. Our data showed that clonidine ameliorated neurological deficit and reduced the cerebral infarction volume of the rats with cerebral I/R. It is worth noting that treatment with clonidine up-regulated the protein expression of GluN3 in the rats with the cerebral I/R, especially in the cell membrane. Moreover, clonidine also up-regulated the transposition from cytoplasm to cell membrane of GluN3 after cerebral I/R. In addition, yohimbine abolished the neuroprotective effects of clonidine. The results indicated that clonidine played a protective role in cerebral I/R injury through regulation of the protein expression of GluN3 subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.

Alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonists for the prevention of delirium and cognitive decline after open heart surgery (ALPHA2PREVENT): protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative delirium is common in older cardiac surgery patients and associated with negative short-term and long-term outcomes. The alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine shows promise as prophylaxis and treatment for delirium in intensive care units (ICU) and postoperative settings. Clonidine has similar pharmacological properties and can be administered both parenterally and orally. We aim to study whether repurposing of clonidine can represent a novel treatment option for delirium, and the possible effects of dexmedetomidine and clonidine on long-term cognitive trajectories, motor activity patterns and biomarkers of neuronal injury, and whether these effects are associated with frailty status.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This five-centre, double-blind randomised controlled trial will include 900 cardiac surgery patients aged 70+ years. Participants will be randomised 1:1:1 to dexmedetomidine or clonidine or placebo. The study drug will be given as a continuous intravenous infusion from the start of cardiopulmonary bypass, at a rate of 0.4 µg/kg/hour. The infusion rate will be decreased to 0.2 µg/kg/hour postoperatively and be continued until discharge from the ICU or 24 hours postoperatively, whichever happens first.Primary end point is the 7-day cumulative incidence of postoperative delirium (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition). Secondary end points include the composite end point of coma, delirium or death, in addition to delirium severity and motor activity patterns, levels of circulating biomarkers of neuronal injury, cognitive function and frailty status 1 and 6 months after surgery.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial is approved by the Regional Committee for Ethics in Medical Research in Norway (South-East Norway) and by the Norwegian Medicines Agency. Dissemination plans include publication in peer-reviewed medical journals and presentation at scientific meetings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05029050.

A Comprehensive Review of the Use of Alpha 2 Agonists in Spinal Anesthetics

BACKGROUND

Spinal Anesthesia was the first regional anesthetic technique to be performed. It was performed by Dr. August Bier, known for the Bier block, and his colleagues on August 16, 1898. Dr. Bier opted for, what he referred to at the time as "cocainization of the spinal cord" by introducing 15 mg of cocaine intrathecally prior to the operation. The surgery was largely uneventful and painless. The patient only experienced some vomiting and a headache postoperatively. Dr. Bier's use of neuraxial anesthesia aimed to directly inject local anesthetics in and around the central nervous system (CNS) for more direct control of pain and anesthesia. Local anesthetics were an important discovery in anesthesiology. However, since the advent of local anesthetics and spinal anesthesia as an alternative technique to general anesthesia, much has been learned about both the benefits and adverse effects of local anesthetics. It was quickly learned that use of local anesthetics would be limited by their potential for life-threatening toxic effects. For this reason, there was a push towards development of novel local anesthetics that had a larger therapeutic window with less likelihood of serious side effects. In addition to developing newer local anesthetics, the idea of adding adjuvants provided an opportunity to potentially limit the life-threatening events. These adjuvants would include medications such as epinephrine and alpha-2 agonists, such as clonidine and dexmedetomidine. Other adjuvants include opioids, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids.

OBJECTIVES

In this review, we will delve further into the indications, contraindications, uses, mechanisms, and future of spinal anesthesia and its adjuvants.

STUDY DESIGN

A literature review of recent publications in the field of alpha 2 agonists used in spinal anesthetics was carried out from 2015 to present day. Consensus opinions were formulated in various areas.

SETTING

This literature review was carried out at various medical universities throughout the nation and Europe.

LIMITATIONS

As research has only just begun in this field data is limited at this time.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of spinal anesthesia provides a reliable dermatome blockade to facilitate many different surgical procedures. The combination of local anesthetics with opioid medications within the subarachnoid space has been the standard of care. Adjuvant medications like alpha 2 agonists may play a significant role in prolonging spinal blockade as well as limiting cardiovascular complications such as hypotension and bradycardia. The use of alpha 2 agonists instead of opioid medications intrathecally decreases pruritus and delayed respiratory depression. Animal models have demonstrated the synergistic effects of utilizing alpha 2 agonists with opioids in the subarachnoid space. The addition of clonidine to fentanyl and local anesthetic demonstrated a shorter time to neural blockade, but no significant change in duration of the spinal. Interestingly alpha 2 agonists with local anesthetics showed increase block duration compared to opioid with local anesthetics. Further human trials need to be undertaken to analyze the effectiveness of alpha 2 agonists in the intrathecal space, but preliminary data does indicate it is an exemplary alternative to opioids.

The Influence of Xylazine and Clonidine on Lung Ultrasound-Induced Pulmonary Capillary Hemorrhage in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Induction of pulmonary capillary hemorrhage (PCH) by lung ultrasound (LUS) depends not only on physical exposure parameters but also on physiologic conditions and drug treatment. We studied the influence of xylazine and clonidine on LUS-induced PCH in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats using diagnostic B-mode ultrasound at 7.3 MHz. Using ketamine anesthesia, rats receiving saline, xylazine, or clonidine treatment were tested with different pulse peak rarefactional pressure amplitudes in 5 min exposures. Results with xylazine or clonidine in spontaneously hypertensive rats were not significantly different at the three exposure pulse peak rarefactional pressure amplitudes, and thresholds were lower (2.2 MPa) than with saline (2.6 MPa). Variations in LUS PCH were not correlated with mean systemic blood pressure. Similar to previous findings for dexmedetomidine, the clinical drug clonidine tended to increase susceptibility to LUS PCH.

Opioid treatment for opioid withdrawal in newborn infants

BACKGROUND

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to opioid withdrawal may result in disruption of the mother-infant relationship, sleep-wake abnormalities, feeding difficulties, weight loss, seizures and neurodevelopmental problems.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of using an opioid for treatment of NAS due to withdrawal from opioids in newborn infants.

SEARCH METHODS

We ran an updated search on 17 September 2020 in CENTRAL via Cochrane Register of Studies Web and MEDLINE via Ovid. We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings and the reference lists of retrieved articles for eligible trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi- and cluster-RCTs which enrolled infants born to mothers with opioid dependence and who were experiencing NAS requiring treatment with an opioid.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three review authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and independently extracted data. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 trials (1110 infants) with NAS secondary to maternal opioid use in pregnancy. Seven studies at low risk of bias were included in sensitivity analysis. Opioid versus no treatment / usual care: a single trial (80 infants) of morphine and supportive care versus supportive care alone reported no difference in treatment failure (risk ratio (RR) 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41 to 4.07; very low certainty evidence). No infant had a seizure. The trial did not report mortality, neurodevelopmental disability and adverse events. Morphine increased days hospitalisation (mean difference (MD) 15.00, 95% CI 8.86 to 21.14; very low certainty evidence) and treatment (MD 12.50, 95% CI 7.52 to 17.48; very low certainty evidence), but decreased days to regain birthweight (MD -2.80, 95% CI -5.33 to -0.27) and duration (minutes) of supportive care each day (MD -197.20, 95% CI -274.15 to -120.25). Morphine versus methadone: there was no difference in treatment failure (RR 1.59, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.67; 2 studies, 147 infants; low certainty evidence). Seizures, neonatal or infant mortality and neurodevelopmental disability were not reported. A single study reported no difference in days hospitalisation (MD 1.40, 95% CI -3.08 to 5.88; 116 infants; low certainty evidence), whereas data from two studies found an increase in days treatment (MD 2.71, 95% CI 0.22 to 5.21; 147 infants; low certainty) for infants treated with morphine. A single study reported no difference in breastfeeding, adverse events, or out of home placement. Morphine versus sublingual buprenorphine: there was no difference in treatment failure (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.74; 3 studies, 113 infants; very low certainty evidence). Neonatal or infant mortality and neurodevelopmental disability were not reported. There was moderate certainty evidence of an increase in days hospitalisation (MD 11.45, 95% CI 5.89 to 17.01; 3 studies, 113 infants), and days treatment (MD 12.79, 95% CI 7.57 to 18.00; 3 studies, 112 infants) for infants treated with morphine. A single adverse event (seizure) was reported in infants exposed to buprenorphine. Morphine versus diluted tincture of opium (DTO): a single study (33 infants) reported no difference in days hospitalisation, days treatment or weight gain (low certainty evidence). Opioid versus clonidine: a single study (31 infants) reported no infant with treatment failure in either group. This study did not report seizures, neonatal or infant mortality and neurodevelopmental disability. There was low certainty evidence for no difference in days hospitalisation or days treatment. This study did not report adverse events. Opioid versus diazepam: there was a reduction in treatment failure from use of an opioid (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.80; 2 studies, 86 infants; low certainty evidence). Seizures, neonatal or infant mortality and neurodevelopmental disability were not reported. A single study of 34 infants comparing methadone versus diazepam reported no difference in days hospitalisation or days treatment (very low certainty evidence). Adverse events were not reported. Opioid versus phenobarbital: there was a reduction in treatment failure from use of an opioid (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.74; 6 studies, 458 infants; moderate certainty evidence). Subgroup analysis found a reduction in treatment failure in trials titrating morphine to ≧ 0.5 mg/kg/day (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.45; 3 studies, 230 infants), whereas a single study using morphine < 0.5 mg/kg/day reported no difference compared to use of phenobarbital (subgroup difference P = 0.05). Neonatal or infant mortality and neurodevelopmental disability were not reported. A single study (111 infants) of paregoric versus phenobarbital reported seven infants with seizures in the phenobarbital group, whereas no seizures were reported in two studies (170 infants) comparing morphine to phenobarbital. There was no difference in days hospitalisation or days treatment. A single study (96 infants) reported no adverse events in either group. Opioid versus chlorpromazine: there was a reduction in treatment failure from use of morphine versus chlorpromazine (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.62; 1 study, 90 infants; moderate certainty evidence). No seizures were reported in either group. There was low certainty evidence for no difference in days treatment. This trial reported no adverse events in either group. None of the included studies reported time to control of NAS. Data for duration and severity of NAS were limited, and we were unable to use these data in quantitative synthesis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Compared to supportive care alone, the addition of an opioid may increase duration of hospitalisation and treatment, but may reduce days to regain birthweight and the duration of supportive care each day. Use of an opioid may reduce treatment failure compared to phenobarbital, diazepam or chlorpromazine. Use of an opioid may have little or no effect on duration of hospitalisation or treatment compared to use of phenobarbital, diazepam or chlorpromazine. The type of opioid used may have little or no effect on the treatment failure rate. Use of buprenorphine probably reduces duration of hospitalisation and treatment compared to morphine, but there are no data for time to control NAS with buprenorphine, and insufficient evidence to determine safety. There is insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness and safety of clonidine.

[Intracerebroventricular infusion of morphine, bupivacaine and clonidine for the management of refractory neoplasic pain in a palliative care setting : a case report]

Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of morphine is a well-known technique to relieve intractable neoplasic pain when conventional analgesic strategies reach their limits. Through this case report, we present indications, assets, and drawbacks of this procedure in such conditions. We also describe the adaptation of the systemic analgesic treatment to allow discharge from the hospital to home settings. Thanks to the ICV infusion of a mixture of morphine, bupivacaine and clonidine, the patient was weaned from oral opioid medications and reached an acceptable level of comfort. This allowed him to be discharged from the hospital to go back home with a specific setting of mobile palliative care structure. The patient's family followed training about the device to prevent any technical trouble and to react in case of unwanted events.

Sedatives for opioid withdrawal in newborn infants

BACKGROUND

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to opioid withdrawal may result in disruption of the mother-infant relationship, sleep-wake abnormalities, feeding difficulties, weight loss, seizures and neurodevelopmental problems.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of using a sedative versus control (placebo, usual treatment or non-pharmacological treatment) for NAS due to withdrawal from opioids and determine which type of sedative is most effective and safe for NAS due to withdrawal from opioids.

SEARCH METHODS

We ran an updated search on 17 September 2020 in CENTRAL via CRS Web and MEDLINE via Ovid. We searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included trials enrolling infants with NAS born to mothers with an opioid dependence with more than 80% follow-up and using randomised, quasi-randomised and cluster-randomised allocation to sedative or control.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and independently extracted data. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 10 trials (581 infants) with NAS secondary to maternal opioid use in pregnancy. There were multiple comparisons of different sedatives and regimens. There were limited data available for use in sensitivity analysis of studies at low risk of bias. Phenobarbital versus supportive care: one study reported there may be little or no difference in treatment failure with phenobarbital and supportive care versus supportive care alone (risk ratio (RR) 2.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 to 7.94; 62 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No infant had a clinical seizure. The study did not report mortality, neurodevelopmental disability and adverse events. There may be an increase in days' hospitalisation and treatment from use of phenobarbital (hospitalisation: mean difference (MD) 20.80, 95% CI 13.64 to 27.96; treatment: MD 17.90, 95% CI 11.98 to 23.82; both 62 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Phenobarbital versus diazepam: there may be a reduction in treatment failure with phenobarbital versus diazepam (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.62; 139 participants; 2 studies; low-certainty evidence). The studies did not report mortality, neurodevelopmental disability and adverse events. One study reported there may be little or no difference in days' hospitalisation and treatment (hospitalisation: MD 3.89, 95% CI -1.20 to 8.98; 32 participants; treatment: MD 4.30, 95% CI -0.73 to 9.33; 31 participants; both low-certainty evidence). Phenobarbital versus chlorpromazine: there may be a reduction in treatment failure with phenobarbital versus chlorpromazine (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.92; 138 participants; 2 studies; very low-certainty evidence), and no infant had a seizure. The studies did not report mortality and neurodevelopmental disability. One study reported there may be little or no difference in days' hospitalisation (MD 7.00, 95% CI -3.51 to 17.51; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence) and 0/100 infants had an adverse event. Phenobarbital and opioid versus opioid alone: one study reported no infants with treatment failure and no clinical seizures in either group (low-certainty evidence). The study did not report mortality, neurodevelopmental disability and adverse events. One study reported there may be a reduction in days' hospitalisation for infants treated with phenobarbital and opioid (MD -43.50, 95% CI -59.18 to -27.82; 20 participants; low-certainty evidence). Clonidine and opioid versus opioid alone: one study reported there may be little or no difference in treatment failure with clonidine and dilute tincture of opium (DTO) versus DTO alone (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.59; 80 participants; very low-certainty evidence). All five infants with treatment failure were in the DTO group. There may be little or no difference in seizures (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.68; 80 participants; very low-certainty evidence). All three infants with seizures were in the DTO group. There may be little or no difference in mortality after discharge (RR 7.00, 95% CI 0.37 to 131.28; 80 participants; very low-certainty evidence). All three deaths were in the clonidine and DTO group. The study did not report neurodevelopmental disability. There may be little or no difference in days' treatment (MD -4.00, 95% CI -8.33 to 0.33; 80 participants; very low-certainty evidence). One adverse event occurred in the clonidine and DTO group. There may be little or no difference in rebound NAS after stopping treatment, although all seven cases were in the clonidine and DTO group. Clonidine and opioid versus phenobarbital and opioid: there may be little or no difference in treatment failure (RR 2.27, 95% CI 0.98 to 5.25; 2 studies, 93 participants; very low-certainty evidence). One study reported one infant in the clonidine and morphine group had a seizure, and there were no infant mortalities. The studies did not report neurodevelopmental disability. There may be an increase in days' hospitalisation and days' treatment with clonidine and opioid versus phenobarbital and opioid(hospitalisation: MD 7.13, 95% CI 6.38 to 7.88; treatment: MD 7.57, 95% CI 3.97 to 11.17; both 2 studies, 91 participants; low-certainty evidence). There may be little or no difference in adverse events (RR 1.55, 95% CI 0.44 to 5.40; 2 studies, 93 participants; very low-certainty evidence). However, there was oversedation only in the phenobarbital and morphine group; and hypotension, rebound hypertension and rebound NAS only in the clonidine and morphine group.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is very low-certainty evidence that phenobarbital increases duration of hospitalisation and treatment, but reduces days to regain birthweight and duration of supportive care each day compared to supportive care alone. There is low-certainty evidence that phenobarbital reduces treatment failure compared to diazepam and very low-certainty evidence that  phenobarbital reduces treatment failure compared to chlorpromazine. There is low-certainty evidence of an increase in days' hospitalisation and days' treatment with clonidine and opioid compared to phenobarbital and opioid. There are insufficient data to determine the safety and incidence of adverse events for infants treated with combinations of opioids and sedatives including phenobarbital and clonidine.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Combined With Oral Medication and Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with oral medication and an exercise program vs sham treatment with medication and exercise for the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP).

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Outpatient clinic at a university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Eligibility criteria were age older than 18 years and duration of CLBP exceeding 3 months. Exclusion criteria were concurrent treatment or history of surgery for CLBP, cancer, fractures, infections, and disk degeneration.

INTERVENTION

The intervention group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy once a week for 4 weeks along with oral medications and an exercise program. The control group received sham extracorporeal shock wave therapy along with oral medications and an exercise program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess pain and disability at baseline and after 3 months.

RESULTS

The pain score in the intervention group (N=16) was 6.6 at baseline and 3.0 after 1 month (P<.0001) and 1.8 after 3 months (P<.0001). In the control group (N=16), the pain score was 6.8 at baseline, 4.6 after 1 month (P<.0001), and 1.1 after 3 months (P<.0001). ODI scores decreased significantly in both groups compared with baseline values (first month: P<.001, third month: P<.05). The mean ODI score did not differ significantly between the groups (P=.942).

CONCLUSION

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with oral medication and exercise was safe and effective in the short-term treatment of chronic low back pain.

Melatonin for preoperative and postoperative anxiety in adults

BACKGROUND

Anxiety in relation to surgery is a well-known problem. Melatonin offers an alternative treatment to benzodiazepines for ameliorating this condition in the preoperative and postoperative periods.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of melatonin on preoperative and postoperative anxiety compared to placebo or benzodiazepines.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases on 10 July 2020: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science. For ongoing trials and protocols, we searched clinicaltrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized, placebo-controlled or standard treatment-controlled (or both) studies that evaluated the effects of preoperatively administered melatonin on preoperative or postoperative anxiety. We included adult patients of both sexes (15 to 90 years of age) undergoing any kind of surgical procedure for which it was necessary to use general, regional, or topical anaesthesia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

One review author conducted data extraction in duplicate. Data extracted included information about study design, country of origin, number of participants and demographic details, type of surgery, type of anaesthesia, intervention and dosing regimens, preoperative anxiety outcome measures, and postoperative anxiety outcome measures.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 27 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving 2319 participants, that assessed melatonin for treating preoperative anxiety, postoperative anxiety, or both. Twenty-four studies compared melatonin with placebo. Eleven studies compared melatonin to a benzodiazepine (seven studies with midazolam, three studies with alprazolam, and one study with oxazepam). Other comparators in a small number of studies were gabapentin, clonidine, and pregabalin. No studies were judged to be at low risk of bias for all domains. Most studies were judged to be at unclear risk of bias overall. Eight studies were judged to be at high risk of bias in one or more domain, and thus, to be at high risk of bias overall. Melatonin versus placebo Melatonin probably results in a reduction in preoperative anxiety measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0 to 100 mm) compared to placebo (mean difference (MD) -11.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) -13.80 to -9.59; 18 studies, 1264 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), based on a meta-analysis of 18 studies. Melatonin may reduce immediate postoperative anxiety measured on a 0 to 100 mm VAS compared to placebo (MD -5.04, 95% CI -9.52 to -0.55; 7 studies, 524 participants; low-certainty evidence), and may reduce delayed postoperative anxiety measured six hours after surgery using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (MD -5.31, 95% CI -8.78 to -1.84; 2 studies; 73 participants; low-certainty evidence). Melatonin versus benzodiazepines (midazolam and alprazolam) Melatonin probably results in little or no difference in preoperative anxiety measured on a 0 to 100 mm VAS (MD 0.78, 95% CI -2.02 to 3.58; 7 studies, 409 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and there may be little or no difference in immediate postoperative anxiety (MD -2.12, 95% CI -4.61 to 0.36; 3 studies, 176 participants; low-certainty evidence). Adverse events Fourteen studies did not report on adverse events. Six studies specifically reported that no side effects were observed, and the remaining seven studies reported cases of nausea, sleepiness, dizziness, and headache; however, no serious adverse events were reported. Eleven studies measured psychomotor and cognitive function, or both, and in general, these studies found that benzodiazepines impaired psychomotor and cognitive function more than placebo and melatonin. Fourteen studies evaluated sedation and generally found that benzodiazepine caused the highest degree of sedation, but melatonin also showed sedative properties compared to placebo. Several studies did not report on adverse events; therefore, it is not possible to conclude with certainty, from the data on adverse effects collected in this review, that melatonin is better tolerated than benzodiazepines.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

When compared with placebo, melatonin given as premedication (as tablets or sublingually) probably reduces preoperative anxiety in adults (measured 50 to 120 minutes after administration), which is potentially clinically relevant. The effect of melatonin on postoperative anxiety compared to placebo (measured in the recovery room and six hours after surgery) was also evident but was much smaller, and the clinical relevance of this finding is uncertain. There was little or no difference in anxiety when melatonin was compared with benzodiazepines. Thus, melatonin may have a similar effect to benzodiazepines in reducing preoperative and postoperative anxiety in adults.

A Comprehensive Update of Lofexidine for the Management of Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the use of Lofexidine for opiate withdrawal symptoms. It covers the background and necessity of withdrawal programs and the management of withdrawal symptoms and then covers the existing evidence of the use of Lofexidine for this purpose.

RECENT FINDINGS

Opiate abuse leads to significant pain and suffering. However, withdrawal is difficult and often accompanied by withdrawal symptoms and renewed cravings. These symptoms are driven mostly by signaling in the locus coeruleus and the mesolimbic system and a rebound increase in noradrenaline, producing symptoms such as anxiety, gastrointestinal upset, and tension. Lofexidine, an alpha-2 agonist, can be used to manage acute withdrawal symptoms before starting maintenance treatment with either methadone or buprenorphine. Lofexidine, if FDA approved for management of withdrawal symptoms and has been proved to be both effective and safe.

SUMMARY

Opiate addiction is increasing and plaguing the western world and specifically the U.S. It takes a large toll on both a personal and societal level and carries a high cost. Withdrawal is difficult, both related to withdrawal symptoms and renewed cravings. Lofexidine has been shown to be effective in reducing the former and could potentially aid in recovery and withdrawal.

Prostacyclin Affects the Relation Between Brain Interstitial Glycerol and Cerebrovascular Pressure Reactivity in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Background

Cerebral injury may alter the autoregulation of cerebral blood flow. One index for describing cerebrovascular state is the pressure reactivity (PR). Little is known of whether PR is associated with measures of brain metabolism and indicators of ischemia and cell damage. The aim of this investigation was to explore whether increased interstitial levels of glycerol, a marker of cell membrane damage, are associated with PR, and if prostacyclin, a membrane stabilizer and regulator of the microcirculation, may affect this association in a beneficial way.

Materials and Methods

Patients suffering severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) were treated according to an intracranial pressure (ICP)-targeted therapy based on the Lund concept and randomized to an add-on treatment with prostacyclin or placebo. Inclusion criteria were verified blunt head trauma, Glasgow Coma Score ≤ 8, age 15–70 years, and a first measured cerebral perfusion pressure of ≥ 10 mmHg. Multimodal monitoring was applied. A brain microdialysis catheter was placed on the worst affected side, close to the penumbra zone. Mean (glycerol_mean) and maximal glycerol (glycerol_max) during the 96-h sampling period were calculated. The mean PR was calculated as the ICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP) regression coefficient based on hourly mean ICP and MAP during the first 96 h.

Results

Of the 48 included patients, 45 had valid glycerol and PR measurements available. PR was higher in the placebo group as compared to the prostacyclin group (p = 0.0164). There was a positive correlation between PR and the glycerol_mean (ρ = 0.503, p = 0.01) and glycerol_max (ρ = 0.490, p = 0.015) levels in the placebo group only.

Conclusions

PR is correlated to the glycerol level in patients suffering from sTBI, a relationship that is not seen in the group treated with prostacyclin. Glycerol has been associated with membrane degradation and may support glycerol as a biomarker for vascular endothelial breakdown. Such a breakdown may impair the regulation of cerebrovascular PR.

Clonidine for pain in non-ventilated infants

BACKGROUND

Critically ill newborn infants undergo a variety of painful procedures or experience a variety of painful conditions during their early life in the neonatal unit. In the critically ill paediatric and neonatal population, clonidine is prescribed as an adjunct to opioids or benzodiazepines aiming to reduce the doses of these drugs that are required for analgesia or sedation, or to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation. It has been shown that clonidine premedication might have a positive effect on postoperative pain in children.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefit and harms of clonidine for the prevention or treatment of procedural pain; postoperative pain; or pain associated with clinical conditions in non-ventilated neonates.

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search the CENTRAL, MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL to December 2018. We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials. We ran an updated search from 1 January 2018 to 11 March 2020 in CENTRAL via CRS Web, MEDLINE via Ovid, and CINAHL via EBSCOhost.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised controlled trials, and cluster trials comparing clonidine to placebo or no treatment, opioids, paracetamol, dexmedetomidine, or non-pharmacological pain-reducing interventions for the management of procedural pain, postoperative pain, and pain associated with clinical conditions in preterm and term newborns.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently planned to extract data (e.g. number of participants, birth weight, gestational age, modality of administration, and dose of clonidine) and assess the risk of bias (e.g. adequacy of randomisation, blinding, completeness of follow-up). The primary outcome considered was pain: for procedural pain, the mean values of each analgesia scale assessed during the procedure and at one to two hours after the procedure; for postoperative pain and for pain associated with clinical conditions, the mean values of each analgesia scale assessed at 30 minutes, three hours, and 12 hours after the administration of the intervention. We planned to use the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

Our search strategy yielded 3383 references. Two review authors independently assessed all references for inclusion. We did not find any completed studies for inclusion. We excluded three trials where clonidine was administered for spinal anaesthesia.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We did not find any studies that met our inclusion criteria and hence there is no evidence to recommend or refute the use of clonidine for the prevention or treatment of procedural or postoperative pain, or pain associated with clinical conditions in neonates.

Clinical predictors of blood pressure response after renal artery stenting

OBJECTIVE

The Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions (CORAL) trial, a multicenter randomized controlled trial, failed to demonstrate a benefit of renal artery stenting (RAS) over medical therapy in patients with renal artery stenosis and hypertension. However, there are patients for whom RAS is a consideration because of failure of medical therapy. Unfortunately, selection of patients for RAS is complicated by a lack of validated predictors of blood pressure (BP) response. A previous single-center study identified three preoperative markers of BP response to RAS: requirement for four or more antihypertensive medications, preoperative diastolic BP >90 mm Hg, and preoperative clonidine use. To date, these markers of outcome have not been independently validated. The aim of this study was to validate these markers using data from the CORAL trial.

METHODS

All patients randomized in the CORAL trial to RAS were included. American Heart Association guidelines were used to categorize patients as BP responders or nonresponders to RAS. BP responders were defined by a postoperative BP <160/90 mm Hg with a reduced number of antihypertensive medications or a reduction in diastolic BP to <90 mm Hg with the same medications after RAS. Patients with stable or worsened BP were labeled nonresponders. Variables associated with a favorable BP response were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

There were 436 patients who underwent RAS with a median age of 70 years (interquartile range [IQR], 63-76 years). The median systolic and diastolic BPs of the stented cohort at baseline were 149 mm Hg (IQR, 132-164 mm Hg) and 78 mm Hg (IQR, 70-87 mm Hg), respectively. A positive BP response occurred in 284 of 436 (65.1%) stented patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified three independent markers of a positive BP response: requirement for four or more medications (odds ratio, 5.9; P < .001), preoperative diastolic BP >90 mm Hg (odds ratio 13.9; P < .001), and preoperative clonidine use (odds ratio, 4.52; P = .008). The percentage of patients with a positive BP response increased incrementally as the number of markers per patient increased, based on the Cochran-Armitage test for trend (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients from the CORAL trial who underwent RAS, the previously reported clinical markers of BP response were validated. A prospective trial to validate their utility as predictors of BP response to RAS is warranted.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome management in California birth hospitals: results of a statewide survey

OBJECTIVE

Assess management of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in California hospitals to identify potential opportunities to expand the use of best practices.

STUDY DESIGN

We fielded an internet-based survey of 37 questions to medical directors or nurse managers at 145 birth hospitals in California.

RESULTS

Seventy-five participants (52%) responded. Most respondents reported having at least one written protocol for managing NAS, but gaps included protocols for pharmacologic management. Newer tools for assessing NAS severity were not commonly used. About half reported usually or always using nonpharmacologic strategies; there is scope for increasing breastfeeding when recommended, skin-to-skin care, and rooming-in.

CONCLUSIONS

We found systematic gaps in care for infants with NAS in a sample of California birth hospitals, as well as opportunities to spread best practices. Adoption of new approaches will vary across hospitals. A concerted statewide effort to facilitate such implementation has strong potential to increase access to evidence-based treatment for infants and mothers.

Preliminary evidence of different and clinically meaningful opioid withdrawal phenotypes

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a public health crisis. Differences in opioid withdrawal severity that predict treatment outcome could facilitate the process of matching patients to treatments. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that enrolled treatment seeking heroin-users (N = 89, males = 78) into a residential study. Participants maintained on morphine (30 mg, subcutaneous, four-times daily) underwent a naloxone (0.4 mg, IM = intramuscular) challenge session to precipitate withdrawal. Area-under-the-curve (AUC) values from self-reported withdrawal ratings during the challenge session were analyzed using K-means clustering, revealing two phenotype groups. Withdrawal and retention from the subsequent 14-day double-blind, double-dummy RCT comparing three study medications (clonidine, tramadol-ER, and buprenorphine) were evaluated as a function of phenotype. Cluster analyses suggested HIGH (N = 37; mean [SD] subjective opiate withdrawal scale [SOWS]-AUC 123.7 [65.8]) and LOW (N = 52; SOWS-AUC 68.0 [47.7]) withdrawal phenotype groups. HIGH participants were significantly more female and had lower body mass indices than LOW participants; no drug-use variables were significant. Regarding RCT outcomes, HIGH phenotype participants were less likely to be retained in the study (P = 0.02) and had higher mean self-reported withdrawal (P = 0.05) than LOW phenotype participants. A significant interaction in RCT retention was observed between phenotype (P = 0.02) and study medication (P < 0.01). Self-reported withdrawal was significant for phenotype (P = 0.02); study medication trended towards significance (P = 0.07). Results suggest patients have meaningfully different experiences of opioid withdrawal that may predict differential response to opioid pharmacotherapies during supervised withdrawal. Additional prospective research to replicate and more thoroughly evaluate withdrawal phenotype correlates and sex differences is warranted.

Evaluation of Gabapentin and Clonidine Use in Children Following Spinal Fusion Surgery for Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Review

BACKGROUND

Opioids are the mainstay of therapy for pain relief following posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery. Various adjunctive medications are being used to augment analgesia and to reduce opioid-related side effects. At our institution, we have sequentially added 2 adjuncts to a standard morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) regimen. The goal of our study was to evaluate pain control and the benefit of gabapentin and the combination of gabapentin and clonidine, whereas morphine PCA was in use in children following PSF surgery.

METHODS

Following Institutional Review Board approval, data were collected retrospectively from the charts of 127 patients who underwent PSF for idiopathic scoliosis. Children were divided into the 3 following groups: group P, morphine PCA only (42 patients), group G, morphine PCA+gabapentin (45 patients), and group C, morphine PCA+gabapentin+clonidine (40 patients).

RESULTS

Addition of gabapentin to our regimen improved the outcome, but the addition of transdermal clonidine and gabapentin together were found to be significantly better in some aspects. Children in group G and C used less morphine on postoperative day 1 following surgery, had more PCA demand-free hours, were able to take orals, were able to ambulate sooner, and had a shorter hospital stay than group P. There were no differences in side effects or sedation between the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, additions of postoperative transdermal clonidine and perioperative oral gabapentin together were found to improve functional outcomes following PSF surgery. Group G and C had reduced opioid use and shorter hospital stay than group P. Addition of these adjuncts together was found to be better since group C patients made fewer PCA attempts to obtain morphine over the first 10-hour period postoperatively and were able to ambulate sooner than group G. The PCA pump usage pattern provides useful information about patient comfort and efficacy of adjunctive medications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II-retrospective study.