The influence of addiction risk on nursing students' expectations of patients' pain reports: a clinical vignette approach.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of addiction risk (substance abuse history [SAH]) and pain relief (PR) on nursing and non-nursing students' perceptions of pain in a postoperative vignette patient. METHODS: Using a 2 x 2 design, the independent variables SAH (present/+, absent/-) and PR (adequate, little) were varied systematically to produce four vignettes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of the four vignettes that described a 45-year-old man after a total hip replacement. Participants rated the vignette patient's experienced and reported pain intensity (PI) on a 0 mm to 100 mm visual analogue scale and addiction risk on a 0 mm to 100 mm visual analogue scale. A pain congruence (PC) score was calculated (PC = reported PI -- experienced PI), and was interpreted as congruent (+/-2 mm) or incongruent (+2 mm to +100 mm for expected pain over-reporting; -2 mm to -100 mm for expected pain under-reporting). RESULTS: Responses from undergraduate nursing (n=89) and non-nursing (n=88) students were analyzed. The estimated addiction risk was significantly lower in nursing (14% to 45%) versus non-nursing students (50%). Nursing students' mean PC scores were not significantly altered by SAH alone. Expectations of pain over-reporting were observed under conditions of SAH+/adequate PR, but not SAH+/little PR. In non-nursing students, SAH and PR were significant and independent factors influencing mean PC scores in the direction of pain over-reporting. CONCLUSION: Under most conditions, nursing students expected pain under-reporting by the postoperative vignette patient. However, nursing students did expect pain to be over-reported when addiction risk was high and PR was adequate. These data suggest that nursing students' expectations regarding pain over- and under-reporting were sensitive to perceptions of addiction risk, but involved additional factors (eg, level of PR).

Cognitive and behavioral effects of multilayer-release methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacodynamics of a new multilayer-release (MLR) formulation methylphenidate (MPH; Biphentin) with immediate-release (IR) MPH (Ritalin) in a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Patients were randomized to equivalent doses of MPH as MLR (once per day), IR (twice per day) or placebo. Each treatment was taken for 1 week prior to repeated behavioral and cognitive laboratory evaluations on a single day in each phase of the crossover. RESULTS: Two girls and 15 boys 6.8-15.3 years old (mean age 11.3 +/- 2.2 years) participated. Both MLR and IR MPH significantly reduced the Stop Signal Reaction Time (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0005), the Errors of Omission on the Continuous Performance Task (p = 0.0039, p = 0.0001), the IOWA-Conners Inattention/Overactivity Index (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001), and increased the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Efficacy Index (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0017) and reduced the CGI Global Improvement Index (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0006) compared to placebo. Mild adverse events were experienced by 4, 6, and 3 patients on placebo, IR, and MLR MPH, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MLR MPH given once daily produces equivalent improvements in behavioral and cognitive measures, and has a duration of effect at least as long as that of IR MPH given twice daily.

A double-blind randomized dose-response study comparing daily doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg controlled-release oxybutynin: balancing efficacy with severity of dry mouth.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, incidence of dry mouth and overall satisfaction with initial doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg of a new, once-daily, controlled-release (CR) form of oxybutynin for treating urge urinary incontinence (UUI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who reported urinary incontinence (UI) (one or more episodes/diary) and voiding frequency (eight or more voids/day) or urgency (one or more episodes/diary) during a 2-week baseline were randomized to once-daily 5, 10 or 15 mg CR oxybutynin for 4 weeks. Daily episodes of UI, voids, urgency, adverse events, dry mouth and satisfaction were recorded in a 3-day diary at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. In all, 237 patients were randomized and evaluated. RESULTS: Episodes of UI, voids and urgency were significantly reduced over the study period at all doses. Daily UI episodes were significantly lower with 15 mg/day than 5 and 10 mg/day. Dry mouth symptoms were similar in the 10 and 15 mg/day groups, and higher than in the 5 mg/day group. However, significantly greater overall satisfaction was reported with 15 than 5 mg/day. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant dose-response relationships with CR oxybutynin for both UI episodes and dry mouth. The greatest satisfaction was with 15 mg/day, and the severity of dry mouth was comparable at 10 mg/day, indicating that greater efficacy at the higher dose did not compromise tolerability.

Efficacy and safety of controlled-release oxycodone and standard therapies for postoperative pain after knee or hip replacement.

BACKGROUND: Standard therapy (ST) for postoperative pain after knee and hip replacement at the Hamilton Health Sciences Henderson Hospital consists of epidural analgesia or patient-controlled analgesia for the first 48 hours, followed by oral or parenteral analgesics, or both, on an as-needed basis. We compared the efficacy and safety of scheduled controlled-release (CR) oxycodone hydrochloride (OxyContin; Purdue Pharma, Pickering, Ont.) and ST for postoperative pain 48 hours after primary knee and hip replacement. METHODS: In 2 separate 3-week studies of similar design, pain intensity, pain relief, length of hospital stay, analgesic use and side effects of CR oxycodone (n = 70) and ST (n = 101) were evaluated. In the CR oxycodone trial, a dose de-escalation protocol was used. RESULTS: At the time of discharge from hospital, patients in the CR oxycodone group recorded lower mean (and standard deviation) pain intensity scores than the ST group (20.2 [17.9] v. 27.7 [21.5] mm on a 100-mm visual analogue scale; p = 0.021). Length of hospital stay was 5.5 and 6.4 days for the CR oxycodone and ST groups respectively (p < 0.001). CR oxycodone patients used less opioid (morphine equivalent) while in hospital than ST patients (p < 0.001), and the average number of daily administrations of analgesics in hospital was 2.1 and 3.5 for CR oxycodone and ST patients respectively (p < 0.001). ST patients reported more nausea and vomiting, pruritus and fever than the CR oxycodone patients, but less somnolence, constipation, dizziness, confusion and tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS: CR oxycodone every 12 hours is as effective as ST in treating postoperative pain but length of hospital stay was shorter and analgesic administration in the hospital was used less frequently, providing potential hospital cost savings and reduced use of health care resources.

A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison of controlled- and immediate-release oxybutynin chloride in urge urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new PO controlled-release (CR) QD oxybutynin tablet relative to PO immediate-release (IR) TID oxybutynin in patients with urge urinary incontinence (UI). METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind trial, patients with UI (> or = 7 episode/wk) and frequency (> or = 8 micturitions/d) were randomized to CR or IR oxybutynin for 6 weeks. Patients initiated treatment at 15 mg/d and the dose was adjusted (in 5-mg/d increments) over 2 weeks according to tolerability. Efficacy (UI episodes, voids, absorbent pads used, urgency, and volume voided per micturition) was assessed during the final 2 weeks of treatment. Tolerability was assessed by evaluating adverse events and treatment withdrawals. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients randomized, 94 (75%) were evaluable for efficacy; tolerability was assessed in all patients. In the CR group, 48 patients (91%) were women and 5 (9%) were men; the mean (SD) age was 58.0 (12.4) years (range, 26-78 years). In the IR group, 37 patients (90%) were women and 4 (10%) were men; the mean (SD) age was 60.6 (14.8) years (range, 26-83 years). Both CR and IR oxybutynin significantly reduced the mean number of total UI episodes per week (both P < 0.001 vs baseline). Both treatments produced equivalent reductions in mean voiding frequency and urinary urgency (all P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Significantly more patients rated CR oxybutynin tolerable on the initial dose of 15 mg/d (P = 0.020) and completed the study at a dose of > or = 15 mg/d (P = 0.018). Dry mouth was the most common adverse event, reported by 68% and 72% of patients in the CR and IR oxybutynin groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with urge UI included in this study, CR oxybutynin was as effective as IR oxybutynin for improving primary symptoms, with the additional benefit of QD administration.

Preliminary evaluation of a new controlled-release oxybutynin in urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a preliminary evaluation of a new oral formulation of controlled-release (CR) oxybutynin tablet taken once-daily in patients with urinary urge incontinence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A single-centre, open-label, 8-week study was conducted. Patients with urodynamically-confirmed detrusor instability, micturition frequency (>/= 8 voids/day) and/or urinary incontinence (>/= 2 incontinence periods/day) were enrolled. The study duration was 8 weeks: patients received IR oxybutynin (2.5-5 mg bid) for 2 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout/baseline period to avoid carryover effects, and oral CR oxybutynin (15 mg OD) for 4 weeks. Daily void frequency, fluid intake, urinary incontinence episodes, and spontaneously reported adverse events were recorded in a daily diary for five consecutive days in each treatment period. RESULTS: Of 12 enrolled patients, 9 patients efficacy; all patients were evaluable for safety. completed the study and were evaluable for Compared to baseline/washout, CR oxybutynin reduced UI episodes/day by 45% (p = 0.13) and micturitions/day by 15% (p = 0.07). Treatment with IR oxybutynin (mean dose: 6.7 +/- 2.5 mg/day) reduced UI episodes/day from baseline by 7% (p = 0.58) and voids/day by 6% (p = 0.29). Fluid intake remained consistent at approximately 2 litres/day during all study periods. The most common adverse event was dry mouth. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the reductions in daily frequency of incontinence and micturition following 4-weeks treatment, CR oxybutynin (15 mg OD) was at least as effective as the patients' previous dose of IR oxybutynin (mean dose: 6.7 +/- 2.5 mg/day). These improvements were achieved without restriction of fluid intake. Initial 15 mg doses of CR oxybutynin appear to be well tolerated.

Controlled-release codeine is equivalent to acetaminophen plus codeine for post-cholecystectomy analgesia.

PURPOSE: Following ambulatory surgery, long-acting analgesics may provide advantages over short-acting analgesics. This study compared controlled-release codeine (CC) and acetaminophen plus codeine (A/C; 300 mg/30 mg) for pain control in the 48-hr period following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Eligible patients were randomized to CC or A/C in a double-blind, double-dummy parallel group study. Unrelieved pain in hospital was treated with fentanyl i.v. bolus. Pain [100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS)] was assessed before the first dose of medication; at 0.5, one, two, three, and four hours post-dose; at discharge; and three times a day for 48 hr. Adverse events were recorded and measures of patient satisfaction were assessed at the end of the study. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were enrolled in the study; 42 patients in each group. There were no statistically significant differences between CC and A/C treatment. Mean VAS baseline pain was similar in both groups (P = 0.49) and there was no significant difference in the time to onset of analgesia (P = 0.17). At 0.5 hr, the mean VAS pain score was significantly reduced from baseline in both groups (P = 0.0001). The VAS pain scores at discharge were reduced 59% and 56% from baseline, respectively (P = 0.61). There was no difference between treatments in the incidence of adverse events and patients reported similar levels of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled-release codeine provides an equivalent onset of analgesia, reduction in postoperative pain, and level of patient satisfaction, to acetaminophen plus codeine, over 48 hr following cholecystectomy, with the advantage of less frequent dosing.