Providing Supportive and Palliative Care Using Telemedicine for Patients with Advanced Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico.

COVID-19 has overwhelmed the capacity of health care systems, limiting access to supportive and palliative care for patients with advanced cancer. Telemedicine has emerged as a tool to provide care continuity to patients while limiting the risk of contagion. However, implementing telemedicine in resource-limited settings is challenging. We report the results of a multidisciplinary patient-navigator-led telemedicine supportive care program in Mexico City. One-hundred sixty-three telemedicine interventions were provided to 45 patients (median age 68, 57% female). A quarter of the patients had less than or equal to elementary school education, and 15% lived in a rural area. The most common interventions were psychological care (33%), pain and symptom control (25%), and nutritional counseling (13%). Half of the interventions were provided by video conferencing. The most common patient-reported barrier was limited experience using communication technology. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of providing supportive and palliative care interventions using telemedicine in resource-limited settings.

Patient Navigation to Improve Early Access to Supportive Care for Patients with Advanced Cancer in Resource-Limited Settings: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The early integration of supportive care in oncology improves patient-centered outcomes. However, data are lacking regarding how to achieve this in resource-limited settings. We studied whether patient navigation increased access to multidisciplinary supportive care among Mexican patients with advanced cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted between August 2017 and April 2018 at a public hospital in Mexico City. Patients aged ≥18 years with metastatic tumors ≤6 weeks from diagnosis were randomized (1:1) to a patient navigation intervention or usual care. Patients randomized to patient navigation received personalized supportive care from a navigator and a multidisciplinary team. Patients randomized to usual care obtained supportive care referrals from treating oncologists. The primary outcome was the implementation of supportive care interventions at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included advance directive completion, supportive care needs, and quality of life. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four patients were randomized: 67 to patient navigation and 67 to usual care. Supportive care interventions were provided to 74% of patients in the patient navigation arm versus 24% in usual care (difference 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-0.62; p < .0001). In the patient navigation arm, 48% of eligible patients completed advance directives, compared with 0% in usual care (p < .0001). At 12 weeks, patients randomized to patient navigation had less moderate/severe pain (10% vs. 33%; difference 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.38; p = .006), without differences in quality of life between arms. CONCLUSION: Patient navigation improves access to early supportive care, advance care planning, and pain for patients with advanced cancer in resource-limited settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The early implementation of supportive care in oncology is recommended by international guidelines, but this might be difficult to achieve in resource-limited settings. This randomized clinical trial including 134 Mexican patients with advanced cancer demonstrates that a multidisciplinary patient navigation intervention can improve the early access to supportive and palliative care interventions, increase advance care planning, and reduce symptoms compared with usual oncologist-guided care alone. These results demonstrate that patient navigation represents a potentially useful solution to achieve the adequate implementation of supportive and palliative care in resource-limited settings globally.

Supportive care needs among older Mexican adults with metastatic cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Supportive care needs may vary according to age. The purpose of this research is to describe and compare supportive care needs between older adults with metastatic cancer (age ≥ 65 years) and their younger counterparts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective secondary analysis of a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed metastatic solid tumors. Supportive care needs were assessed at baseline and at a three-month follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups (aged ≥65/<65 years). Differences in clinical characteristics and supportive care needs were compared utilizing descriptive statistics. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify patient characteristics associated with specific supportive care needs. RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2022, 375 patients were enrolled. Median age was 66 years (interquartile range 19-94). At baseline, older adults had a higher number of supportive care needs (4.8 vs. 4.2, p = 0.01) and were at higher risk of malnutrition (75 vs. 65%, p = 0.05). Increasing age (odds ratio [OR] 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-1.04, p = 0.03) and an estimated life expectancy <6 months (OR 3.0, 95%CI 1.5-6.1; p < 0.01) were associated with higher odds of malnutrition, while a higher educational level was associated with decreased odds (OR 0.68, 95%CI 0.5-0.8; p < 0.01). At three-month follow-up, older adults still had a higher number of supportive care needs (3.8 vs.2.6, p < 0.01) and were more likely to have fatigue (62 vs. 47%, p = 0.02). An estimated life expectancy of <6 months was associated with increased odds of fatigue (OR 3.0, 95%CI 1.5-6.3; p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Older adults reported significantly more supportive care needs, particularly risk of malnutrition and fatigue. This information can help in the creation of supportive care services tailored to the needs of older individuals.

Prescribing Trends in Psychotropic Medications Among Outpatients of a Latin American Healthcare Setting: A Five-Year Retrospective Study.

Introduction Mental health problems affect millions worldwide, and the prescription of psychotropic drugs is increasing globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for proper monitoring of psychotropic drug prescriptions. This study aims to characterize and find trends in the prescription of psychotropics in a Latin American General Hospital. Methods The study analyzed the dispensation of psychotropic prescriptions to outpatients at three pharmacies in the central headquarters of Hospital Clínica Bíblica in San José, Costa Rica, from 2017 to 2021. Psychotropic drugs were classified by the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code, and the amount of each medication dispensed was standardized using the defined daily dose per 10,000 population per day metric. Patients' ages were categorized into four groups: under 18 years, 18 to 39 years, 40 to 64 years, and 65 years and above. The prescriptions were categorized according to medical specialty. Regression analyses were performed to determine the significance of trends observed in the data Results A total of 5793 psychotropic prescriptions were recorded. The average age of the patients was 58 years. The total consumption of psychotropics decreased by 33.94% from 2017 to 2021, with the most significant decline until 2020. However, there was an increase in consumption in 2021. Clonazepam was the most consumed medication, followed by bromazepam and alprazolam, which was the sole drug to exhibit an escalation in usage between 2017 and 2021. Regression analysis showed that only alprazolam and zopiclone had statistically significant trends. The highest number of prescriptions was dispensed to patients aged between 40 and 64 years, followed by those aged over 65 years. Anxiolytics were also the most commonly prescribed group of drugs. General medicine (20.22%), psychiatry (19.95%), and internal medicine (12.73%) were the primary specialties that prescribed psychotropic; 38.6% of prescriptions were associated with the 10th decile of patients, and 44.9% of prescriptions were issued by the 10th decile of physicians.  Conclusion The consumption of psychotropic drugs decreased from 2017 to 2020 but increased in 2021, with alprazolam being the only drug that showed an increase in consumption throughout the entire period. General practitioners and psychiatrists were found to be the specialties that most commonly prescribe these medications. The study found significant trends only for the consumption of alprazolam and zopiclone and for prescription patterns among psychiatrists and internal medicine physicians.

Cancer pain management in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Pain control is an essential component of high-quality palliative care. Unfortunately, many low-income and middle-income countries lack an appropriate infrastructure to provide palliative care and suffer from a severe lack of access to opioid analgesics to alleviate pain from various conditions such as cancer. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to review the history and current status of cancer pain management in Mexico, a middle-income Latin American country. Our objective was to identify existing barriers to proper, effective opioid use, as well as provide practical recommendations for improvement. METHODS: Using a search of EBSCOhost database, PubMed and Google, we found official documents and peer-reviewed articles related to health legislation, opioid consumption, palliative care infrastructure and palliative care training in Mexico. RESULTS: Despite advances in palliative care and access to opioids in Mexico, there are still several barriers that undermine effective pain management, showing a major gap between policy and practice. Although Mexican legislation and guidelines include adequate palliative care and pain control as a right for all patients with cancer, the lack of adequate infrastructure and trained personnel severely hampers the implementation of these policies. Additionally, there are important barriers to prescribing opioids, many of which are related to attempts at reducing the consumption of recreational drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Although Mexico has made significant improvements in pain control and palliative care, much needs to be done. Expansion of drug availability, improvement of palliative care training, and constant oversight of regulations and guidelines will help to strengthen Mexico's palliative care services.

The role of zinc in human health.

El zinc (Zn) es un oligoelemento esencial para muchas funciones biológicas, que incluyen desde la mineralización ósea hasta la transcripción genómica. El déficit en la ingesta de Zn produce alteraciones que en conjunto se han denominado síndrome de deficiencia de Zn. La ingesta diaria recomendada presenta un rango de 7.5 a 15 mg/día para hombres adultos y de 5.5 a 12 mg/día para mujeres adultas. En México, el déficit de Zn es un problema de salud pública, pues afecta a cerca de un cuarto de la población pediátrica nacional. Este documento presenta al lector una mirada global y regional sobre el problema que se aborda, y destaca la necesidad de generar líneas de investigación que aporten mayor información sobre el impacto de este micronutriente en la población mexicana.Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for many biological functions including bone mineralization and genomic ­transcription, among others. The set of clinical manifestations deriving from the deficiency of Zn intake are known as Zn deficit syndrome. Zn recommended dietary allowances ranges from 7.5 to 15 mg/day in adult man, and from 5.5 to 12 mg/day in adult females. In Mexico, the deficit of Zn is a public health problem affecting nearly a quarter of pediatric population. This document presents a global and regional overview of this problem, highlighting the need of further research related to the importance of this micronutrient in Mexican population.

Symptom Assessment and Early Access to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Early specialized palliative care improves quality of life of patients with advanced cancer, and guidelines encourage its integration into standard oncology care. However, many patients fail to obtain timely palliative/supportive care evaluations, particularly in limited-resource settings. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients with advanced cancer who received an assessment of symptoms and were referred to supportive and palliative care services during the first year after diagnosis in a Mexican hospital. METHODS: Individuals with newly diagnosed advanced solid tumors and 1 year of follow-up at the oncology clinics in the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran in Mexico City from October 2015 to April 2016 were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included. Forty-two (54.5%) were referred to the various supportive care services during the first year after diagnosis, and 23 (29.8%) were referred to the palliative care clinic. The most commonly assessed symptoms by oncologists were pain (77.9%), anorexia (74.0%), fatigue (68.8%), and nausea (55.8%), while depression/anxiety were evaluated in 10 (12.9%) patients. The oncologist offered to clarify treatment goals in 39 (50.6%) cases and evaluated the understanding of diagnosis/illness and prognosis in 22 (28.5%). CONCLUSION: Palliative and supportive care services were widely underutilized, which may be related to a lack of standardized symptom assessments and poor end-of-life communication. Novel strategies are needed to improve the implementation of tools for systematic symptom assessment and to optimize the integration of supportive care interventions into oncology care in developing countries.

Absence of histological changes after the administration of a continuous intrathecal clonidine in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: The administration of epidural and spinal clonidine has demonstrated an antinociceptive effect in animals and humans. For that reason, its spinal administration has been proposed as an adjuvant in chronic pain management. However, there is limited information about its possible neurotoxic effect after its continuous neuraxial administration. METHOD: Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. Using an osmotic mini-pump a continuous infusion of intrathecal clonidine, (21.4 micrograms/day, Group A) or saline solution (Group B), was administered for 14 consecutive days. For evaluating the neurological damage a neuropathological analysis of the spinal cord was performed by light microscopy. RESULTS: Neurohistopathologic examination of the spinal cord specimens failed to show evidence of neurotoxic damage in either group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that continuous intrathecal administration of clonidine did not produce evidence of histological neurotoxicity; therefore it is possible that continuous administration of intrathecal clonidine might be a safe option for treatment of chronic intractable pain; however, further investigations are necessary for evaluating diverse doses and periods of time, and to define its possible behavioral effects.

[Pain characteristics in HIV/AIDS patients]. / Características del dolor en el enfermo con VIH/sida.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), affects 0.6 % of world population and 0.3 % of the adult population in Mexico. Pain, in this group, is frequently not identified by the health care team, is poorly defined, and undertreated. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of pain and its characteristics in Mexican HIV patients. METHODS: HIV diagnosed patients were included. Social and demographic information about pain characteristics, response to analgesic treatment and the presence of comorbidities were analyzed. The illness status was identified and CD4 cell count was documented. RESULTS: Pain was identified in 11 of 55 cases. Mean time of pain onset was 26 months (SD 28.6). Mean pain intensity by visual analogue scale was 7 (SD 2.3), and by verbal analogue scale proportions were reported as follows: 18 % mild, 36.5 % moderate, and 45 % severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that pain appeared in 20 % of subjects. CD4 count was observed to be related to pain decrease. Type of study and sample size does not permit a definite interpretation of the results; therefore a generation of prospective studies with larger samples is needed.

[Clinical pattern of patients cared for at pain clinic by first time]. / Característkicas de los enfermos que acuden a clínicas del dolor por primera vez.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies about frequency and prevalence of chronic pain in Mexico are scarce. However, it has been documented that chronic pain is a frequent complain in general population and mainly in older adults. It influences physical patient capacity and it impacts social health services with its expensive cost. Our objective was to identify the clinical pattern of patients attending at a Pain Clinic by first time. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive-retrospective study, in a five years period, with patients attending a Pain Clinic by first time. We collected demographic data and information about the cause of pain (malignant vs. non-malignant etiology), its intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS), and type (somatic, visceral, neuropathic and mixed). RESULTS: 1453 clinical records were analyzed. Women were more affected; the average age was 59 +/- 16 years; non-malignant pain and neuropathic pain were more frequent; the intensity average was 6 +/- 2, and it increases with age. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to generate epidemiological studies to fundament health policies regarding the management of these patients.

Cincuenta años del Departamento de Medicina del Dolor y Paliativa del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición «Salvador Zubirán¼ / Fifty anniversary of the department of pain and palliative medicine at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición «Salvador Zubirán¼

Resumen: Introducción: En México, la primera clínica especializada en el alivio del dolor fue fundada en 1972 por el Dr. Ramón De Lille Fuentes en el Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición «Salvador Zubirán¼ (INCMNSZ). Material y métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda histórica documental y entrevistas a quienes han colaborado con el Departamento de Medicina del Dolor y Paliativa del INCMNSZ desde su fundación. Resultados: Nuestra visión es ofrecer atención del dolor, cuidados paliativos y apoyo continuo. Para ello, documentamos nuestra historia y los logros del departamento. Conclusiones: A 50 años de su fundación, el Departamento de Medicina del Dolor y Paliativa del INCMNSZ es un foro de desarrollo científico y de formación de capital humano con un enfoque humanista.

Abstract: Introduction: In Mexico, the first clinic specializing in pain relief was founded in 1972 by Dr. Ramón De Lille Fuentes at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición «Salvador Zubirán¼ (INCMNSZ). Material and methods: A historical documentary search and interviews were carried out with those who have collaborated with the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine of the INCMNSZ since its foundation. Results: Our vision is to offer pain management, palliative care, and ongoing support. To do this, we document the history and achievements of the department. Conclusions: 50 years after its foundation, the INCMNSZ Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine is a forum for scientific development and human capital training with a humanistic approach.

[Practice guidelines for pain management in Mexico]. / Parámetros de práctica para el manejo del dolor en México.

BACKGROUND: It has been documented that pain, in its diverse modalities, is the most common cause of medical attention in Mexico. Due to the increased frequency, pain management has been under consideration in health programs. On the other hand, inadequate pain management can cause severe physical, psychoaffective, and socioeconomic repercussions for patients, families, and public health services. Despite this panorama, there has been no agreement to establish better diagnostic and therapeutic methods. METHODS: Three consensus groups were reunited in different times; those were integrated by medical experts from private and public institutions and form diverse states of the Mexican Republic. To assure the development of these practice guidelines, these experts had experience in the assessment and treatment of painful conditions. Following the methodology used for other consensus groups, diverse meetings were held to review medical evidence about the assessment and treatment of acute, perioperative and cancer pain. RESULTS: A series of recommendations were obtained and classified according to their methodological strength. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of these meetings, a series of recommendations based on the medical evidence were obtained. These recommendations are outlined in three practice guidelines that are intended to allow Mexican practitioners to provide optimal management for painful conditions.

[Importance of the obstructive sleep apnea disorder for perioperative medicine]. / El síndrome de apnea obstructiva de sueño y su importancia en la medicina perioperatoria.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related disorder among the general population. This disorder occurs in all sleep stages, although is more intense during the REM sleep (rapid eye movement). In this stage appears generalized muscle atony, which includes the hypopharyngeal muscles; this causes narrowing of the upper airway lumen, difficult inside/outside air movement and mechanical obstruction. OSA is considered a risk for: a) difficult airway intubation/ventilation; b) increase of cardiovascular morbidity; c) development of hypoxia and hypercarbia during spontaneous or assisted ventilation techniques. For these reasons, it is possible to assume that OSA may increase the perioperative risk and should be timely and properly ascertained. The main objective of this paper is to review the effect of OSA in patients undergoing anesthetic and surgical procedures, whether it increases the perioperative risk, and the advantages of its timely identification and assessment when carrying out the pre-anesthetic evaluation.

Propofol-Based Palliative Sedation to Treat Antipsychotic-Resistant Agitated Delirium.

Delirium is a common problem in terminally ill patients that is associated with significant distress and, hence, considered a palliative care emergency. The three subtypes of delirium are hyperactive, hypoactive, and mixed, depending on the level of psychomotor activity and arousal disturbance. When agitated delirium becomes refractory in the setting of imminent dying, the agitation may be so severe that palliative sedation (PS) is required. Palliative sedation involves the administration of sedative medications with the purpose of reducing level of consciousness for patients with refractory suffering in the setting of a terminal illness. Propofol is a sedative that has a short duration of action and a very rapid onset. These characteristics make it relatively easy to titrate. Reported doses range from 50 to 70 mg per hour. The authors present a case of antipsychotic-resistant agitated delirium treated with a propofol intravenous infusion.

Evaluación de las características de la prescripción de opioides mayores otorgados por las farmacias de un Hospital General Latinoamericano / Evaluation of the prescription characteristics of major opioids dispensed by the pharmacies of a Latin American General Hospital

Resumen: Introducción: Los opioides se han utilizado para el alivio del dolor en diversos contextos. Su uso puede favorecer efectos indeseables. Actualmente los países industrializados viven una crisis de opioides. Objetivos: Caracterizar los opioides mayores despachados en términos de especialidad médica y de dosis total en miligramos equivalentes a morfina (MME) en un Hospital General Latinoamericano. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y observacional de prescripciones de opioides mayores despachadas en las Farmacias de un Hospital General Latinoamericano entre el año 2017 y 2020. Se tomó información de la base de datos del Ministerio de Salud. Se excluyeron las recetas que contenían estupefacientes no opioides y fentanilo inyectable. Se realizó una estandarización a MME para analizar la distribución de la prescripción según médicos y pacientes. Resultados: La cantidad total de recetas despachadas correspondientes a opioides mayores fue de 5,366 prescripciones. La morfina inyectable fue el medicamento más prescrito (46%) y como principio activo obtuvo 54% de todas las recetas estudiadas (considerando todas las vías de administración). Medicina general prescribió la mayoría de las recetas con un 48%, lo que representó 42% del total de MME. Conclusiones: La morfina es el principio activo preferido por los médicos evaluados en este estudio, la vía de administración parenteral es la más utilizada. Medicina general es el área que más prescribe opioides. Es pertinente crear políticas educativas en materia de opioides; por ello, resulta conveniente caracterizar la prescripción de manera cualitativa considerando información como el diagnóstico y las dosis diarias utilizadas.

Abstract: Introduction: Opioids have been used for pain relief in various settings. Its use can promote undesirable effects. Industrialized countries are currently experiencing an opioid crisis. Objective: To characterize the prescription of major opioids considering the medical area that made the prescription and total dose in milligrams morphine equivalents (MME) at a general hospital in Latin America. Material and methods: A retrospective and observational study was carried out. The number of prescriptions for major opioids dispensed in the pharmacies of a general hospital in Latin America, between 2017 and 2020, were documented. Information was taken from the database of the Ministry of Health. Prescriptions containing non-opioid narcotic drugs and injectable Fentanyl were excluded. A standardization to MME was carried out to analyze the distribution of prescriptions. Results: The total number of prescriptions filled for major opioids was 5,366 prescriptions. Injectable morphine was the most prescribed drug (46%) and as an active principle it obtained 54% of all the prescriptions studied (considering all routes of administration). General medicine prescribed most prescriptions (48%), which represented 42% of the total MME. Conclusions: Morphine is the substance preferred by the doctors evaluated in this study, the parenteral route of administration is the most used. General medicine is the area that prescribes most of the opioids. It is pertinent to create educational policies on opioids; therefore, it is convenient to characterize the prescription qualitatively considering information such as the diagnosis and the daily doses used.

Recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia sobre la nutrición e hidratación en los últimos días de vida / Evidence-based recommendations on nutrition and hydration in the last days of life

Resumen: Introducción: Los cuidados paliativos en México son contemplados como una necesidad en todos los niveles de atención. La nutrición e hidratación en estos enfermos hacia sus últimos días de vida es controversial. Objetivo: Identificar las recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia sobre la nutrición e hidratación en los últimos días de vida. Material y métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda documental sobre la nutrición e hidratación hacia el final de la vida tomando como marco temporal las últimas horas y/o los últimos días de vida del enfermo en el contexto hospitalario. Resultados: Con los criterios de búsqueda seleccionados se identificaron 83 documentos. No se encontraron metaanálisis. Existen dos revisiones sistematizadas de la literatura, un ensayo clínico, cuatro guías de práctica clínica, cuatro reportes de caso y 17 revisiones. Se desglosan los resultados relevantes de lo seleccionado. Conclusiones: Se identifica que existen controversias de fondo sobre la alimentación al final de la vida. Sobre la hidratación existe cierto consenso. Es indispensable contar con un nutriólogo dentro de los servicios de cuidados paliativos de la Nación.

Abstract: Introduction: Palliative care in Mexico is considered a necessity at all levels of care. Nutrition and hydration in these patients towards the last days of life is controversial. Objective: To identify evidence-based recommendations on nutrition and hydration in the last days of life. Material and methods: A documentary search on nutrition and hydration towards the end of life was carried out taking as a time frame the last hours and/or the last days of life of the patient in the hospital context. Results: With the selected search criteria, 83 documents were identified. No meta-analyses were found. There are two systematized literature reviews, one clinical trial, four clinical practice guidelines, four case reports and 17 reviews. The relevant results of the selected documents are broken down. Conclusions: It is identified that there are fundamental controversies about feeding at the end of life. On hydration there is some consensus. It is essential to have a nutritionist within the palliative care services of the Nation.

Chronic subarachnoid administration of 1-(4chlorobenzoyl)-5methoxy-2methyl-1H-indole-3 acetic acid (indomethacin): an evaluation of its neurotoxic effects in an animal model.

Neuraxial administration of nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs has been suggested as an alternative in the management of intractable pain, but there is little evidence that the neurotoxic effects of indomethacin by this route of administration have been evaluated. In this study, we evaluated histological neurotoxicity of indomethacin after its subarachnoid administration in guinea pigs. The hypothesis tested was "Does subarachnoid administration of indomethacin produce damage in the spinal cord of guinea pigs?" Ten male guinea pigs were anesthetized, and a polyamide catheter connected to a subcutaneous osmotic micro-pump was implanted at the L2-3 level. Animals were randomly assigned in 2 groups of 5 animals each. Indomethacin or saline solution was administered by continuous infusion (0.5 microL/h) for 14 days. Neurotoxicity was determined by spinal cord histopathology. There was no evidence of toxicity in the histological examinations of either group. These data suggest that subarachnoid administration of indomethacin infusion, at these doses, did not produce lesions typical of neurotoxicity in the spinal cord. We have concluded that epidural administration of indomethacin may be considered an alternative for application in human pain management, although more studies to determine its safety are required.

[Practice guidelines for neuropathic pain management]. / Parámetros de práctica para el manejo del dolor neuropático.

UNLABELLED: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a heterogeneous entity with wide diversity of symptoms. Despite the controversies regarding its definition and classification, which difficult its epidemiology, it has been estimated that 4 million people, in USA develop NP. OBJECTIVE: A task force was created to generate a series of recommendations which facilitate the decision making and therapeutic approach of this kind of pain. METHOD: A search of medical literature was made in different electronic data bases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE); after this search we conducted three work-sessions and evaluated the evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pain in painful diabetic poli-neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated. RESULTS: We found 329 documents for further analysis, and with the aid of the literature results we generate this practice guidelines.

Consideraciones analgésicas sobre el manejo del dolor agudo en el adulto mayor / Considerations for acute pain analgesic management in the elderly

Resumen: En las últimas décadas se ha registrado un aumento dramático en la esperanza de vida. La principal morbilidad de este grupo poblacional son las enfermedades crónico-degenerativas, las cuales frecuentemente se acompañan de dolor. No es de extrañarse que cada vez más pacientes ancianos sean intervenidos quirúrgicamente; hasta 62% de ellos reportan dolor agudo postoperatorio (DAPO) severo. El envejecimiento se asocia a una respuesta reducida al estímulo doloroso, fenómeno conocido como presbialgesia, lo cual se traduce en menores requerimientos analgésicos. Cuando el paciente anciano cuenta con demencia u otras alteraciones de la cognición se deberán utilizar escalas conductuales. Existen diversas condiciones fisiológicas en el anciano que lo hacen propenso a acumulación de fármacos y retraso en su eliminación. Además, existe un riesgo aumentado de interacciones farmacológicas por polifarmacia, hechos que se deberán tener en cuenta al abordar clínicamente el dolor en el paciente geriátrico. Los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE) son considerados de riesgo en ancianos frágiles por aumentar el riesgo de sangrado, sin mencionar el potencial daño en pacientes nefrópatas o con trastornos de la coagulación. El paracetamol es un analgésico noble a nivel gástrico, renal y cardiovascular. Es considerado primera línea en osteoartrosis degenerativa. Se sugiere no sobrepasar dos gramos al día en ancianos frágiles. Al utilizar analgésicos opioides se sugiere iniciar con la mínima dosis analgésica y escalar lentamente en caso de que el alivio del dolor lo requiera, evitando así efectos adversos.

Abstract: Over the last few decades the elderly population is growing by the second. Most of their illnesses are of the chronic degenerative type, many of which are very painful. Also, more and more elderly patients are requiring surgery for a number of reasons; 62% of these patients will experience severe postoperatory pain. Aging is associated with presbialgesia, which is a reduced response to a noxious stimule. When these patients have dementia or other cognitive impairment conductual scales such must be utilized. There elderly might be more sensitive to analgesic drugs due to various and unique physiological aspects. NSAIDs are considered high risk drugs in fragile elderly patients. Acetaminophen is a safe analgesic drug without many gastrointestinal, renal or cardiovascular secondary effects. Nevertheless, a fragile elderly patient should not receive more than 2 grams daily. When giving opioids, one should start with the minimum dose and titrate slowly when needed in order to avoid adverse effects.