Capsaicin 8% patch for treprostinil subcutaneous infusion site pain in pulmonary hypertension patients.

BACKGROUND: Treprostinil sodium improves haemodynamics and symptoms in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients, but its subcutaneous (s.c.) administration can produce severe local site pain, and lead to discontinuation of vital treatment. Treprostinil is a prostacyclin analogue which stimulates prostacyclin receptors in skin nociceptor terminals, resulting in pain and cutaneous hypersensitivity, for which current pain remedies have limited effect. Capsaicin 8% patch relieves neuropathic pain for 3 months after a single 60 min cutaneous application; we investigated whether its pre-application can reduce s.c. trepostinil-induced pain. METHODS: A single-centre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of a single capsaicin 8% patch pre-application for s.c. treprostinil pain in 11 PAH patients, relative to control patch with low-dose capsaicin 0.075% cream. RESULTS: The primary efficacy endpoint, mean difference between the two treatment arms in an 11-point numerical pain rating scale from baseline to 2 weeks after patch applications, was significantly lower on the capsaicin 8% patch treatment arm [P=0.01, mean difference=-1.47 units, 95% credible interval (CI): -2. 59 to -0.38] in the patients who completed the study per protocol, although intention-to-treat analysis did not show significant difference (P=0.28). Heat pain thresholds were decreased (P=0.027, mean difference=5.43°C, 95% CI: 0.71-10.21) and laser Doppler flux increased (P=0.016, mean difference=370 units, 95% CI: 612 to 127.9) at the application site immediately after capsaicin 8% patch, confirming activity. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation of the efficacy of capsaicin 8% patch in this indication is warranted.

Routine clotting screen has no role in the management of epistaxis: reiterating the point.

Objective of the study is to investigate the role of clotting screen in adult patients presenting with epistaxis. The study is a prospective case series done in a teaching hospital in the Northeast of Scotland. Prospective data was collected for 100 consecutive patients with epistaxis admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology over 1 year (2006-2007 August). The demographics, co-morbidities, long-term medications and blood test results were noted for these patients. A retrospective audit of all patients attending the Emergency Department (ED) with epistaxis during the same study period was also performed. The following were measured: frequency of clotting screen performed in patients with epistaxis; the treatment modifying effect of clotting screen results. Of the 100 admitted patients, 45 were male and 55 were female. The majority of them had more than two co-morbidities such as hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation. Forty-seven patients were on aspirin, 19 on warfarin and 12 patients on clopidogrel. A clotting screen was done for 80 patients but only 2 patients (2.5%) had an abnormal INR. A total of 356 patients presented to the ED with epistaxis. Of 356 patients, 138 (39%) had their clotting screen checked. Of 138 patients, 42 (30%) were on warfarin. Only 7 patients (7/138 = 5%) had an abnormal result. Our data suggests that routine clotting screen check does not alter the epistaxis management in patients with no risk factors or with stable warfarin dosage. Therefore, routine clotting screen in patients with epistaxis without relevant risk factors is not an evidence-based practice.