RESUMO
Topically applied compounds containing camphor and menthol have been used to alleviate pain, cold symptoms, and pruritus, historically predominantly in East Asia. Being not studied well, they are less recognized in Western medicine. Given the commonality of pain, pruritus, and cold symptoms in addition to the growing need for non-opioid treatment options, the authors investigated clinical applications of such compounds for their over-counter usage. The purpose was to analyze current clinical research and applications regarding the use of these topical agents. This study involved a bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed articles, published in English and indexed in PubMed from 2010 to 2022, pertaining to camphor- and menthol-containing compounds. There were 103 results, of which 15 (14.6%) articles were related to the treatment of disorders related to health, such as upper respiratory infection, pain, and pruritus. Excluded were "non-research" articles (e.g., letters to the editor), articles that do not involve human subjects, reports of improper application or misuse (e.g., ingestion), and articles pertaining to intraoral, intranasal, and ophthalmic agents. Of these articles, the originating journals, respective journal impact factor scores, publication years, study designs, and study topics were identified. Underlying trends and themes regarding clinically relevant research on these compounds were subsequently discerned. Based on this analysis, topical agents containing camphor and menthol are potentially effective at treating pain, upper respiratory infection symptoms, and pruritus in addition to potentially functioning as an antimicrobial. However, with a limited number of studies addressing these compounds' uses in each application, no definitive recommendation can be made regarding their use. Given the promising results of earlier studies, the authors recommend that more primary research, particularly randomized, double-blind controlled studies, be done regarding clinical applications of these substances.
RESUMO
Approximately 7.6 million high school students in the United States participate in sports. Although most sport-related injuries in adolescents are considered minor emergencies, life-threatening illnesses or injuries may occur, such as sudden cardiac arrest, heat stroke, status asthmaticus and exercise-induced asthma, catastrophic brain injuries, cervical spine injuries, heat- and cold-related illness, blunt chest/abdominal injuries, and extremity fractures resulting in compartment syndrome. Emergency preparedness in athletics involves the identification of and planning for medical services to promote the safety of the athlete, to limit injury, and to provide medical care at the site of practice or competition. Several national organizations have published guidelines for emergency preparedness in school-based athletics. Our article reviews guidelines for emergency preparedness put forth by the Sideline Preparedness collaboration (comprised of 6 major professional associations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine), the National Athletic Trainers' Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on School Health, and the American Heart Association. Additionally, we review published data examining compliance of US high schools with these recommendations for emergency preparedness in school-based athletics, determine deficiencies, and provide recommendations for improvement based on these deficiencies.