Topical benzydamine cream and the relief of pressure pain.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether topical benzydamine hydrochloride 3% cream is more effective than placebo in reducing pain related to pressure areas in palliative care patients.

DESIGN:

Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING:

Three specialist palliative care units in the north of England, with local ethical committee approval for all sites.

SUBJECTS:

Hospice in-patients with pain related to pressure areas.

INTERVENTIONS:

A single application of either benzydamine hydrochloride 3% cream or placebo cream to the painful pressure area.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Pain assessed using 100 mm VAS, an 11-point numerical pain score and a five-point pain relief score.

RESULTS:

There was no statistically significant difference between topical benzydamine hydrochloride 3% cream and placebo cream in reducing pain related to pressure areas in palliative care patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study does not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the two treatments. However the study does provide reliable information with respect to the use of different pain measurement tools in late-stage palliative patients. It also provides information regarding the baseline characteristics of this group of patients which may be useful in the planning of any future similar studies.

• Authors: W M Prentice, L J Roth, P Kelly
• Journal: Palliative medicine (Palliat Med) Vol. 18 Issue 6 Pg. 520-4 (Sep 2004) ISSN: 0269-2163 [Print] England
• PMID: 15453623 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Ointments
• Benzydamine

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Benzydamine (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Ointments
• Pain (drug therapy, etiology)
• Pain Measurement (methods)
• Palliative Care (methods)
• Pressure Ulcer (complications, drug therapy)