Evaluating the Interaction Between Pain Intensity and Resilience on the Impact of Pain in the Lives of People With Fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: Recent theoretical models posit that resilience acts as a resource/mechanism opposing pain catastrophizing and other vulnerability sources against pain adaptation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between resilience, pain, and functionality in people living with fibromyalgia (FM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of people participating in Brazilian fibromyalgia virtual support groups on Facebook in May 2018. Resilience was evaluated by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Average pain and the degree of interference of pain in the lives of participants (DIPLP) were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory. The association between these 3 variables was evaluated through multivariable robust linear regression with adjustment for 21 potential confounders. RESULTS: We included 2176 participants with FM. Resilience was associated with a decreased DIPLP (ß: -0.38, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.22, P <0.001) but not with average pain scores (ß: -0.01, 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.16, P =0.93). A significant interaction between resilience and average levels of pain on the DIPLP was observed so that resilience showed a much stronger protective association among participants with average null-to-mild pain than among those with moderate and severe pain levels. DISCUSSION: Our results provide evidence against beliefs that the pain of people with FM is related to low psychological resilience and shed light on the complex interrelationships between resilience, pain, and functionality. This research signals both the relevance and limits of resilience in the management of FM. Future studies evaluating behavioral interventions for FM should consider how those interventions interact with baseline pain levels and resilience.

Children's preoperative stress according to the parental presence evaluated by salivary cortisol and mYPAS: quasi-randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to compare stress and anxiety levels in children undergoing surgical procedures with or without parental presence at induction of anesthesia by measuring salivary cortisol levels and applying the mYPAS. METHOD: Quasi-randomized trial with children aged 5-12 year, with ASA physical status I, II, or III, undergoing elective surgery. According to parents' willingness, the pair were defined as accompanied or unaccompanied group. Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, Student's t test, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman and Spearman's tests were used for statistical analyzes. RESULTS: We included 46 children; 63% were preschool children mostly accompanied by their mothers (80%). The median mYPAS score was 37.5 (quartile range, 23.4-51.6) in unaccompanied children, and 55.0 (quartile range, 27.9-65.0) in accompanied children, with an estimated median difference of +11.8 (95% CI of 0 to 23.4; p = 0.044). There were no significant differences in the mean salivary cortisol levels. CONCLUSION: The level of anxiety was higher in accompanied children. There were no differences in salivary cortisol levels between both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-9wj4qvy.

Recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) for difficult airway management in pediatric care.

Difficult airway management in pediatrics during anesthesia represents a major challenge, requiring a careful approach, advanced technical expertise, and accurate protocols. The task force of the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) presents a report containing updated recommendations for the management of difficult airways in children and neonates. These recommendations have been developed based on the consensus of a panel of experts, with the objective of offering strategies to overcome challenges during airway management in pediatric patients. Grounded in evidence published in international guidelines and expert opinions, the report highlights crucial steps for the appropriate management of difficult airways in pediatrics, encompassing assessment, preparation, positioning, pre-oxygenation, minimizing trauma, and, paramountly, the maintenance of arterial oxygenation. The report also delves into additional strategies involving the use of advanced tools, such as video laryngoscopy, flexible intubating bronchoscopy, and supraglottic devices. Emphasis is placed on the simplicity of implementing the outlined recommendations, with a focus on the significance of continuous education, training through realistic simulations, and familiarity with the latest available technologies. These practices are deemed essential to ensure procedural safety and contribute to the enhancement of anesthesia outcomes in pediatrics.

Effects of Preoperative Acupuncture on Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting and Plasma Serotonin Values in the Hysterectomy Postoperative Period: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Nausea and vomiting are frequent complications of anesthesia in the postoperative period. Acupuncture at the pericardium point 6 (PC6) is known to be effective in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Objectives: The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of acupuncture performed at the PC6 point in the prevention of PONV in women undergoing elective open hysterectomy under general inhalational anesthesia and to assess its association with plasma serotonin levels. Methods: 97 patients undergoing elective open hysterectomy were randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture group (bilateral acupuncture at PC6, n = 49), and a control group (no acupuncture, n = 48). All patients prophylactically received ondansetron and dexamethasone and, as rescue medication, metoclopramide in case of occurrence of PONV. The primary outcome evaluated was occurrence of nausea and vomiting within 24 hours after surgery. Serotonin plasma levels were measured before and after acupuncture prior to anesthesia induction. For the control group, the repeat measurement was performed 30 minutes after admission to the preoperative unit. Results: Acupuncture at PC6 significantly reduced the incidence of nausea (29.2% vs. 6.1%; p > 0.003), and the need of rescue medication (metoclopramide) (33.3% vs. 10.2%; p > 0.006), but not vomiting (4.2 vs. 4.1; p > 0.98). The plasma serotonin levels between control and acupuncture groups did not differ. Conclusion: This study shows that acupuncture at PC6 resulted in a lower incidence of postoperative nausea in patients undergoing hysterectomy.

Effects of magnesium sulphate on the onset time of rocuronium at different doses: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Rocuronium may provide excellent onset time, but high doses are required for effective action. Several strategies have managed to shorten rocuronium onset time, including the use of Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4). METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients were randomized into six groups according to rocuronium dose received (0.3, 0.6 or 1.2 mg.kg-1) and the administration of saline or MgSO4 (60 mg.kg-1). Correlations between tissue perfusion and rocuronium onset time was determined by variations in perfusion index. RESULTS: Median (quartiles) rocuronium onset times were 85.5 (74.0-92.0); 76.0 (52.0-87.0) and 50.0 (41.0-59.5) seconds for 0.3, 0.6 mg.kg-1 and 1.2 mg.kg-1 doses, respectively. MgSO4 decreased rocuronium onset at doses of 0.3 mg.kg-1 (60.0 [48.0-74.3] seconds) and 0.6 mg.kg-1 (44.0 [39.0-49.0] seconds) but not at 1.2 mg.kg-1 (38.0 [33.5-56.3] seconds) (p < 0.001). Perfusion index variations in groups that received MgSO4 were greater than in controls. A negative correlation between shorten onset and increased perfusion index was observed in rocuronium doses of 0.3 mg.kg-1 (r = -0.50; p < 0.001) and 0.6 mg.kg-1 (r = -0.424; p < 0.001), but not for 1.2 mg.kg-1 dose (r = -0.25; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: MgSO4 reduces rocuronium onset time at doses of 0.3 mg.kg-1 and 0.6 mg.kg-1 being that the latter has a similar effect when compared to the dose of 1.2 mg.kg-1, with or without the use of MgSO4. TRIAL REGISTRY AT: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/ REGISTRY NUMBER: RBR-96CY3K.

[The anesthesiologist facing terminality: a survey-based observational study]. / O anestesiologista frente à terminalidade.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advances in medicine, including anesthesiology and resuscitation, have made natural death increasingly rare. As a consequence, dysthanasia has become usual in a scenario for which there is not rationale. The present study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of Brazilian anesthesiologists on the principles of dysthanasia and orthothanasia. Thence, we studied the management preferences of these professionals, vis-à-vis those practices, as well as how medical school contributed to addressing death-related issues. METHOD: Quantitative approach, prospective and descriptive cohort that included 150 anesthesiologists, members of the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology, and who were invited to participate by email. An online questionnaire containing 38 questions was prepared by the authors. The study was approved by the Instructional Research Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Anesthesiologists, although claiming to know dysthanasia and orthothanasia, mostly acquired knowledge outside medical school. If faced with their own end of care, or of a patient or a loved one, they prefer orthothanasia, to die at home, prioritizing dignity. However, the specialists claimed to have already practiced dysthanasia, even when orthothanasia was the choice management, which caused them negative feelings. Almost all respondents stated that they did not have practical training in undergraduate school on how to face end-of-life issues, although they felt capable of identifying it. Most were not aware of Federal Council of Medicine Resolution 1.805/06 that makes practicing orthothanasia feasible. Anesthesiologists' religion or the political-administrative region of residence had no effect on their preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists claim to have knowledge on dysthanasia and orthothanasia, but prefer, in the face of a terminally ill patient, to practice orthothanasia, although dysthanasia is usual, and results in frustration and indignation. The medical school curriculum is unsatisfactory in addressing death-related issues.

Examining the effect of non-specialised clinical rotations upon medical students' Thanatophobia and Self-efficacy in Palliative Care: a prospective observational study in two medical schools.

INTRODUCTION: Including palliative care (PC) in overloaded medical curricula is a challenge, especially where there is a lack of PC specialists. We hypothesised that non-specialised rotations could provide meaningful PC learning when there are enough clinical experiences, with adequate feedback. OBJECTIVE: Observe the effects of including PC topics in non-specialised placements for undergraduate medical students in two different medical schools. DESIGN: Observational prospective study. SETTING: Medical schools in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 134 sixth-year medical students of two medical schools. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study that observed the development of Self-efficacy in Palliative Care (SEPC) and Thanatophobia (TS) in sixth-year medical students in different non-specialised clinical rotations in two Brazilian medical schools (MS1 and MS2). We enrolled 78 students in MS1 during the Emergency and Critical Care rotation and 56 students in MS2 during the rotation in Anaesthesiology. Both schools provide PC discussions with different learning environment and approaches. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: SEPC and TS Scales were used to assess students at the beginning and the end of the rotations. RESULTS: In both schools' students had an increase in SEPC and a decrease in TS scores. CONCLUSION: Non-specialised rotations that consider PC competencies as core aspects of being a doctor can be effective to develop SEPC and decrease TS levels.

[Capsaicin topical cream (8%) for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome]. / Creme tópico de capsaicina (8%) para o tratamento da síndrome da dor miofascial.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain syndrome is a common cause of musculoskeletal pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential analgesic action of 8% capsaicin cream for topical use in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. METHODS: Initially, cream formulations of PLA (Placebo) and CPS (Capsaicin 8%) were developed and approved according to the current requirements of the health authority agency. The 40 participating patients were randomly assigned to the PLA and CPS groups in a double-blind fashion. Before the creams were topically administered, according to the allocation group, the local anesthetic was used for a period of 50minutes directly in the area of interest. The cream was applied to the area of the skin over the trigger point, represented by the area with pain at palpation, in an amount of 10g for 30minutes in a circular area of 24 mm diameter. Subsequently, the cream was removed and the skin tolerability parameters were evaluated. The pain was measured before and during the formulation application, as well as at 1 hour, 7 days, 30 days, and 60 days after the procedure, evaluated using a verbal numerical scale (from 0 to 10: with 0=no pain and 10=worst pain imaginable). RESULTS: No patient in PLA Group had hyperemia or burning sensation at the site of application, while 85% of patients in CPS Group had hyperemia or burning sensation at 15minutes. These complaints disappeared 24hours after the cream was removed. The pain score in CPS Group decreased steadily up to the 60th day of evaluation (p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Application of the formulations did not cause macroscopic acute or chronic skin lesions in patients, and the 8% capsaicin formulation was beneficial and well tolerated.

Children's preoperative stress according to the parental presence evaluated by salivary cortisol and mYPAS: quasi-randomized trial / Estresse pré-operatório em crianças de acordo com a presença dos pais avaliada por cortisol salivar e mYPAS: ensaio quase-randomizado / Estrés preoperatorio en niños según la presencia de los padres evaluado mediante cortisol salival y mYPAS: ensayo cuasi-aleatorio

ABSTRACT Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare stress and anxiety levels in children undergoing surgical procedures with or without parental presence at induction of anesthesia by measuring salivary cortisol levels and applying the mYPAS. Method: Quasi-randomized trial with children aged 5-12 year, with ASA physical status I, II, or III, undergoing elective surgery. According to parents' willingness, the pair were defined as accompanied or unaccompanied group. Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, Student's t test, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman and Spearman's tests were used for statistical analyzes. Results: We included 46 children; 63% were preschool children mostly accompanied by their mothers (80%). The median mYPAS score was 37.5 (quartile range, 23.4-51.6) in unaccompanied children, and 55.0 (quartile range, 27.9-65.0) in accompanied children, with an estimated median difference of +11.8 (95% CI of 0 to 23.4; p = 0.044). There were no significant differences in the mean salivary cortisol levels. Conclusion: The level of anxiety was higher in accompanied children. There were no differences in salivary cortisol levels between both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC):RBR-9wj4qvy.

RESUMO Objetivo: O principal objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os níveis de estresse e ansiedade em crianças submetidas a procedimentos cirúrgicos com ou sem presença dos pais na indução da anestesia, medindo os níveis de cortisol salivar e aplicando o mYPAS. Método: Ensaio quaserandomizado com crianças de 5 a 12 anos, com estado físico ASA I, II ou III, submetidas a cirurgia eletiva. De acordo com a disposição dos pais, o par foi definido como grupo acompanhado ou não acompanhado. Foram utilizados testes de qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher, t de Student, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman e Spearman para as análises estatísticas. Resultados: Foram incluídas 46 crianças; 63% delas em idade préescolar, principalmente acompanhadas por suas mães (80%). A pontuação mYPAS mediana foi de 37,5 (intervalo interquartil, 23,4-51,6) em crianças não acompanhadas e de 55,0 (intervalo interquartil, 27,9-65,0) em crianças acompanhadas, com uma diferença mediana estimada de +11,8 (IC de 95% de 0 a 23,4; p = 0,044). Não houve diferenças significativas nos níveis médios de cortisol salivar. Conclusão: O nível de ansiedade foi maior em crianças acompanhadas. Não houve diferenças nos níveis de cortisol salivar entre os dois grupos. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC):RBR-9wj4qvy.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo principal de este estudio fue comparar los niveles de estrés y ansiedad en niños sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos con o sin presencia de los padres en la inducción de la anestesia mediante la medición de los niveles de cortisol salival y la aplicación del mYPAS. Método: Ensayo cuasi-aleatorio con niños de 5 a 12 años, con estado físico ASA I, II o III, sometidos a cirugía electiva. Según la disposición de los padres, se definieron como grupo acompañado o no acompañado. Se utilizaron pruebas de chi-cuadrado, exacta de Fisher, t de Student, Mann-Whitney, Hodges-Lehman y Spearman para los análisis estadísticos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 46 niños; el 63% eran niños en edad preescolar, en su mayoría acompañados por sus madres (80%). La puntuación mYPAS mediana fue de 37,5 (rango intercuartílico, 23,4-51,6) en niños no acompañados y de 55,0 (rango intercuartílico, 27,9-65,0) en niños acompañados, con una diferencia mediana estimada de +11,8 (IC del 95% de 0 a 23,4; p = 0,044). No hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles medios de cortisol salival. Conclusión: El nivel de ansiedad fue mayor en los niños acompañados. No hubo diferencias en los niveles de cortisol salival entre ambos grupos. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos (ReBEC):RBR-9wj4qvy.

Recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) for difficult airway management in pediatric care

Abstract Difficult airway management in pediatrics during anesthesia represents a major challenge, requiring a careful approach, advanced technical expertise, and accurate protocols. The task force of the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) presents a report containing updated recommendations for the management of difficult airways in children and neonates. These recommendations have been developed based on the consensus of a panel of experts, with the objective of offering strategies to overcome challenges during airway management in pediatric patients. Grounded in evidence published in international guidelines and expert opinions, the report highlights crucial steps for the appropriate management of difficult airways in pediatrics, encompassing assessment, preparation, positioning, pre-oxygenation, minimizing trauma, and, paramountly, the maintenance of arterial oxygenation. The report also delves into additional strategies involving the use of advanced tools, such as video laryngoscopy, flexible intubating bronchoscopy, and supraglottic devices. Emphasis is placed on the simplicity of implementing the outlined recommendations, with a focus on the significance of continuous education, training through realistic simulations, and familiarity with the latest available technologies. These practices are deemed essential to ensure procedural safety and contribute to the enhancement of anesthesia outcomes in pediatrics.

The effects of intrathecal administration of betamethasone over the dogs' spinal cord and meninges.

PURPOSE: To determinate the potential clinical and histological changes due the injection of betamethasone, when administered into the canine intrathecal space. METHODS: Twenty one animals were included in a random and blind manner in the study. After general anesthesia, intrathecal puncture was performed and 1 ml of the random solution was injected. The G1 dogs received 0.9% saline solution, the G2 dogs received 1.75 mg betamethasone and the G3 dogs received 3.5 mg of betamethasone. The animals were clinically evaluated for 21 days and then sacrificed. The lumbar and sacral portions of the spinal cord were removed for light microscopy histological analyses. RESULTS: No clinical changes were observed in any of the animals included in this study. No histological changes were observed in G1 animals. Inflammatory infiltration was observed in two dogs, one in G2, another in G3. Hemorrhage and necrosis were also seen in the G2 dog which inflammatory infiltration was detected. In other two dogs, one from G2 and another from G3, there was discreet fibrosis and thickness of the arachnoid layer which was focal in one and diffuse in the other. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal administration of betamethasone caused histological changes in the spinal cord and meninges in some of the dogs involved in this study.

The P-A-C-I-E-N-T-E Protocol: An instrument for breaking bad news adapted to the Brazilian medical reality.

OBJECTIVE: There are plenty of published tools for breaking bad medical news; however, none of them is culturally appropriate to our reality or published in the Brazilian literature. This study proposes a genuinely Brazilian communication tool and evaluates its acceptance among doctors and nurses. METHOD: This was a prospective study. The data were collected after specific training of doctors and nurses on the bad news communication techniques based on the P-A-C-I-E-N-T-E ("patient," in Portuguese) Protocol. This instrument is in accordance with the Brazilian reality and was based on the SPIKES communication tool. RESULTS: The worst task to be performed during communication is "talking about death" followed by "discussing the end of curative treatment attempts" and "diagnosis" itself. Among the respondents, 48% reported they did not receive formal training for communicating. Also, 52% of respondents do not use any systematic approach in their daily practice when communicating with patients, but 97% considered the proposed P-A-C-I-E-N-T-E Protocol as a useful and appropriate communication tool. CONCLUSION: The P-A-C-I-E-N-T-E Protocol proved to be suitable to the Brazilian context.

Spiritual needs of patients with cancer in palliative care: an integrative review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The experience of a life crisis, such as the experience of end-of-life terminality whenever facing cancer can make the spiritual needs of patients clear. The goal of this revision was to synthesize the existing evidence regarding the spiritual needs of patients with cancer in palliative care. RECENT FINDINGS: An integrated revision of the literature was conducted regarding the database sources from PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS and Scopus, without publishing year restrictions. There were 16 primary studies included. A total of 1469 patients have been evaluated, whereas eight groups of spiritual needs have been identified: finding the meaning and purpose of life; finding the meaning in experiencing the disease; being connected to other people, God and nature; having access to religious/spiritual practices; physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing; talking about death and the experience of dying; making the best out of their time; being independent and being treated like a normal person. SUMMARY: It is essential to pay attention to patients' spiritual dimensions regarding palliative care. Therefore, patients' spiritual needs must be identified and remedied or mitigated. It is necessary to develop studies that find specific strategies and interventions for the treatment of these needs.

[Comparison of droperidol and ondansetron prophylactic effect on subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus]. / Comparação dos efeitos profiláticos do droperidol e do ondansetron sobre o prurido provocado pela morfina subaracnoidea.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prophylactic effect of ondansetron on subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus is controversial, while evidence suggests that droperidol prevents pruritus. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of droperidol and ondansetron on subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus. METHODS: 180 ASA I or II patients scheduled to undergo cesarean sections under subarachnoid anesthesia combined with morphine 0.2mg were randomized to receive, after the child's birth, metoclopramide 10mg (Group I - control), droperidol 2.5mg (Group II) or ondansetron 8mg (Group III). Postoperatively, the patients were assessed for pruritus (absent, mild, moderate or severe) or other side effects by blinded investigators. Patients were also blinded to their group allocation. The tendency to present more severe forms of pruritus was compared between groups. NNT was also determined. RESULTS: Patients assigned to receive droperidol [Proportional odds ratio: 0.45 (95% confidence interval 0.23-0.88)] reported less pruritus than those who received metoclopramide. Ondansetron effect was similar to metoclopramide [Proportional odds ratio: 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.49-1.83)]. The NNT for droperidol and ondansetron was 4.0 and 14.7, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ondansetron does not inhibit subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus.

Parecoxib reduces renal injury in an ischemia/reperfusion model in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of parecoxib (an NSAID) on renal function by measuring plasma NGAL (serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) levels in an induced-ischemia rat model. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Ischemia (I), Ischemia/parecoxib (IP), No-ischemia (NI), and No-ischemia/parecoxib (NIP). Body weight, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, body temperature, NGAL levels, and renal histology were compared across groups. RESULTS: The Ischemia (I) group, which did not receive parecoxib, showed the highest NGAL levels (p=0.001), while the IP group, which received the medication, had NGAL levels similar to those of the non-ischemic (NI and NIP) groups. CONCLUSION: Parecoxib resulted in renal protection in this experimental model.