Effectiveness of skin icing in reducing pain associated with goserelin acetate injection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Goserelin acetate, which is injected through a 16-gauge needle, makes some patients feel substantial, although tolerable, pain. We tried to clarify whether injection pain was reduced by icing the skin at the injection site.

METHODS:

Pain associated with the injection of goserelin acetate was prospectively evaluated in 48 patients who had received an 10.8-mg goserelin injection at least once previously. In this study, the first injection was administered by usual methods, and 3 months later a second injection was administered after icing the skin at the injection site. Pain intensity was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score.

RESULTS:

VAS pain scores for the usual injection method were 32.4 ± 21.7 mm [mean ± 2 standard deviation (SD)] and was significantly lower (16.4 ± 17.9) for the icing method (p = 0.001, paired t test). Thirty-three (68.8%), eight (16.7%), and seven (14.6%) of the 48 patients reported a decrease, no change, and increase, respectively, in VAS pain score by the icing method.

CONCLUSIONS:

Icing at the injection site of goserelin acetate is a safe and effective method to reduce injection pain. This method can be easily performed in daily practice if a patient complains of pain at the injection site.

• Authors: Hidefumi Kinoshita, Gen Kawa, Yoshihito Hiura, Ryusuke Chizaki, Tadashi Matsuda
• Journal: International journal of clinical oncology (Int J Clin Oncol) Vol. 15 Issue 5 Pg. 472-5 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1437-7772 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 20544251 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
• Goserelin

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Analgesia (methods)
• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal (administration & dosage)
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Cold Temperature
• Goserelin (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous (adverse effects)
• Japan
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain (etiology, prevention & control)
• Pain Measurement
• Prospective Studies
• Prostatic Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Skin Temperature