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Sinha S, Gabriel VA, Arora RK, Shin W, Scott J, Bharadia SK, Verly M, Rahmani WM, Nickerson DA, Fraulin FO, Chatterjee P, Ahuja RB, Biernaskie JA. Interventions for postburn pruritus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 6:CD013468. [PMID: 38837237 PMCID: PMC11152192 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013468.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postburn pruritus (itch) is a common and distressing symptom experienced on healing or healed burn or donor site wounds. Topical, systemic, and physical treatments are available to control postburn pruritus; however, it remains unclear how effective these are. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for treating postburn pruritus in any care setting. SEARCH METHODS In September 2022, we searched the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE (including In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations), Ovid Embase, and EBSCO CINAHL Plus. We also searched clinical trials registries and scanned references of relevant publications to identify eligible trials. There were no restrictions with respect to language, publication date, or study setting. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that enrolled people with postburn pruritus to compare an intervention for postburn pruritus with any other intervention, placebo or sham intervention, or no intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS We included 25 RCTs assessing 21 interventions with 1166 randomised participants. These 21 interventions can be grouped into six categories: neuromodulatory agents (such as doxepin, gabapentin, pregabalin, ondansetron), topical therapies (such as CQ-01 hydrogel, silicone gel, enalapril ointment, Provase moisturiser, beeswax and herbal oil cream), physical modalities (such as massage therapy, therapeutic touch, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, enhanced education about silicone gel sheeting), laser scar revision (pulsed dye laser, pulsed high-intensity laser, fractional CO2 laser), electrical stimulation (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation), and other therapies (cetirizine/cimetidine combination, lemon balm tea). Most RCTs were conducted at academic hospitals and were at a high risk of performance, attrition, and detection bias. While 24 out of 25 included studies reported change in burn-related pruritus, secondary outcomes such as cost-effectiveness, pain, patient perception, wound healing, and participant health-related quality of life were not reported or were reported incompletely. Neuromodulatory agents versus antihistamines or placebo There is low-certainty evidence that doxepin cream may reduce burn-related pruritus compared with oral antihistamine (mean difference (MD) -2.60 on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS), 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.79 to -1.42; 2 studies, 49 participants). A change of 2 points represents a minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Due to very low-certainty evidence, it is uncertain whether doxepin cream impacts the incidence of somnolence as an adverse event compared to oral antihistamine (risk ratio (RR) 0.64, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.25; 1 study, 24 participants). No data were reported on pain in the included study. There is low-certainty evidence that gabapentin may reduce burn-related pruritus compared with cetirizine (MD -2.40 VAS, 95% CI -4.14 to -0.66; 1 study, 40 participants). A change of 2 points represents a MCID. There is low-certainty evidence that gabapentin reduces the incidence of somnolence compared to cetirizine (RR 0.02, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.38; 1 study, 40 participants). No data were reported on pain in the included study. There is low-certainty evidence that pregabalin may result in a reduction in burn-related pruritus intensity compared with cetirizine with pheniramine maleate (MD -0.80 VAS, 95% CI -1.24 to -0.36; 1 study, 40 participants). A change of 2 points represents a MCID. There is low-certainty evidence that pregabalin reduces the incidence of somnolence compared to cetirizine (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.69; 1 study, 40 participants). No data were reported on pain in the included study. There is moderate-certainty evidence that ondansetron probably results in a reduction in burn-related pruritus intensity compared with diphenhydramine (MD -0.76 on a 0 to 10 numeric analogue scale (NAS), 95% CI -1.50 to -0.02; 1 study, 38 participants). A change of 2 points represents a MCID. No data were reported on pain and adverse events in the included study. Topical therapies versus relevant comparators There is moderate-certainty evidence that enalapril ointment probably decreases mean burn-related pruritus compared with placebo control (MD -0.70 on a 0 to 4 scoring table for itching, 95% CI -1.04 to -0.36; 1 study, 60 participants). No data were reported on pain and adverse events in the included study. Physical modalities versus relevant comparators Compared with standard care, there is low-certainty evidence that massage may reduce burn-related pruritus (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.86, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.27; 2 studies, 166 participants) and pain (SMD -1.32, 95% CI -1.66 to -0.98). These SMDs equate to a 4.60-point reduction in pruritus and a 3.74-point reduction in pain on a 10-point VAS. A change of 2 VAS points in itch represents a MCID. No data were reported on adverse events in the included studies. There is low-certainty evidence that extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may reduce burn-related pruritus compared with sham stimulation (SMD -1.20, 95% CI -1.65 to -0.75; 2 studies, 91 participants). This equates to a 5.93-point reduction in pruritus on a 22-point 12-item Pruritus Severity Scale. There is low-certainty evidence that ESWT may reduce pain compared with sham stimulation (MD 2.96 on a 0 to 25 pressure pain threshold (PPT), 95% CI 1.76 to 4.16; 1 study, 45 participants). No data were reported on adverse events in the included studies. Laser scar revision versus untreated or placebo controls There is moderate-certainty evidence that pulsed high-intensity laser probably results in a reduction in burn-related pruritus intensity compared with placebo laser (MD -0.51 on a 0 to 1 Itch Severity Scale (ISS), 95% CI -0.64 to -0.38; 1 study, 49 participants). There is moderate-certainty evidence that pulsed high-intensity laser probably reduces pain compared with placebo laser (MD -3.23 VAS, 95% CI -5.41 to -1.05; 1 study, 49 participants). No data were reported on adverse events in the included studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is moderate to low-certainty evidence on the effects of 21 interventions. Most studies were small and at a high risk of bias related to blinding and incomplete outcome data. Where there is moderate-certainty evidence, practitioners should consider the applicability of the evidence for their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Vincent A Gabriel
- Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Pediatrics and Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary Firefighters' Burn Treatment Centre, Calgary, Canada
| | - Rohit K Arora
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Wisoo Shin
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Janis Scott
- Calgary Firefighters' Burn Treatment Centre, Calgary, Canada
| | - Shyla K Bharadia
- Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Pediatrics and Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary Firefighters' Burn Treatment Centre, Calgary, Canada
| | - Myriam Verly
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Waleed M Rahmani
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Duncan A Nickerson
- Department of Plastic, Burn and Wound Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Frankie Og Fraulin
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Canada
| | - Pallab Chatterjee
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Surgical Division, Command Hospital Air Force, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rajeev B Ahuja
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Jeff A Biernaskie
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Morrell W, Gelinas L, Zarin D, Bierer BE. Ensuring the Scientific Value and Feasibility of Clinical Trials: A Qualitative Interview Study. AJOB Empir Bioeth 2023; 14:99-110. [PMID: 36599052 DOI: 10.1080/23294515.2022.2160510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethical and scientific principles require that clinical trials address an important question and have the resources needed to complete the study. However, there are no clear standards for review that would ensure that these principles are upheld. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of nineteen experts in clinical trial design, conduct, and/or oversight to elucidate current practice and identify areas of need with respect to ensuring the scientific value and feasibility of clinical trials prior to initiation and while ongoing. We used a priori and grounded theory to analyze the data and constant comparative method to induce higher order themes. RESULTS Interviewees perceived determination of scientific value as the responsibility of the investigator and, secondarily, other parties who review or oversee research. Interviewees reported that ongoing trials are rarely reevaluated due to emerging evidence from external sources, evaluation is complex, and there would be value in the development of standards for monitoring and evaluating evidence systematically. Investigators, IRBs, and/or data monitoring committees (DMCs) could undertake these responsibilities. Feasibility assessments are performed but are typically inadequate; potential solutions are unclear. CONCLUSIONS There are three domains where current approaches are suboptimal and in which further guidance is needed. First, who has the responsibility for conducting scientific review, whether it be the investigator, IRB, and/or DMC is often unclear. Second, the standards for scientific review (e.g., appropriate search terms, data sources, and analytic plan) should be defined. Third, guidance is needed on the evaluation of ongoing studies in light of potentially new and evolving evidence, with particular reference to evidence from outside the trial itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker Morrell
- Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luke Gelinas
- Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Advarra IRB, Columbia, MD, USA
| | - Deborah Zarin
- Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Barbara E Bierer
- Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Badois N, Bauër P, Cheron M, Hoffmann C, Nicodeme M, Choussy O, Lesnik M, Poitrine FC, Fromantin I. Acellular fish skin matrix on thin-skin graft donor sites: a preliminary study. J Wound Care 2020; 28:624-628. [PMID: 31513492 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2019.28.9.624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Surgery for head and neck cancer often requires free flap reconstructions, whose harvesting site often requires a thin-skin graft. Wounds from the thin-skin donor site are comparable to an intermediate or deep second-degree burn. This is uncomfortable and can lead to complications such as a long healing time, local infections and pain. Since they are reproducible, these wounds may serve as a model for an objective assessment of new healing medical devices. The acellular fish skin matrix is a new medical device designed to improve healing quality and time. METHODS We compared the outcomes between standard procedure and the use of this matrix placed on the split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site, in patients operated on in our centre for radial forearm free flap reconstruction for head and neck wounds. RESULTS There were 21 patients included. The healing time was halved when using the acellular fish skin matrix, from 68 to 32 days on average. Acellular fish skin matrix reduced pain levels and local infection. The visual analogue pain scale (VAS) was ≥3 at five days (p=0.0034) and infection rate reduced from 60% to 0% (p=0.0039). CONCLUSION These results are extremely encouraging. However, it is important to take into account the relatively high cost of this matrix for its future indications. A larger study including an overall cost estimation and an assessment on different wound types would be interesting, to better target the indications of the acellular fish skin matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Badois
- 1 Unit, Department of Head and Neck surgical oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France.,2 University PSL, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Bauër
- 2 University PSL, Paris, France.,3 Research and Wound Care Unit, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Cheron
- 2 University PSL, Paris, France.,3 Research and Wound Care Unit, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Hoffmann
- 1 Unit, Department of Head and Neck surgical oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France.,2 University PSL, Paris, France
| | - Marguerite Nicodeme
- 2 University PSL, Paris, France.,3 Research and Wound Care Unit, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Choussy
- 1 Unit, Department of Head and Neck surgical oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France.,2 University PSL, Paris, France
| | - Maria Lesnik
- 1 Unit, Department of Head and Neck surgical oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France.,2 University PSL, Paris, France
| | - Florence Canoui Poitrine
- 4 Paris-Est University (UPEC), DHU A-TVB, IMRB, EA 7376 CEpiA (Clinical Epidemiology And Ageing Unit), F-94000, Créteil, France.,5 APHP, Henri-Mondor Hospital, Public Health Department, F-94000, Créteil, France
| | - Isabelle Fromantin
- 3 Research and Wound Care Unit, Institut Curie, Paris, France.,4 Paris-Est University (UPEC), DHU A-TVB, IMRB, EA 7376 CEpiA (Clinical Epidemiology And Ageing Unit), F-94000, Créteil, France
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Young A, Reeves BC, Cheng HY, Wasiak J, Muir D, Davies A, Blazeby J. Risk of bias and reporting completeness of randomised controlled trials in burn care: protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e033472. [PMID: 31857316 PMCID: PMC6937119 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Burn care represents a healthcare and economic burden to patients internationally. Choice of the most clinically effective treatment strategies requires evidence which is best obtained through high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCT). The number of published RCTs of burn care is increasing. However, trial quality and reporting standards are unclear. This study will assess the risk of bias and adequacy of reporting in recent burn care RCTs using tools endorsed by the Cochrane Collaboration. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A systematic literature review will be undertaken, assessing parallel group RCTs evaluating therapeutic interventions for patients with cutaneous burns. Literature searches will use Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Separate searches for each database will include medical subject heading and free text terms including 'burn', 'scald', 'thermal injury' and 'RCT'. Two reviewers will independently assess each study for inclusion. Risk of bias (RoB) will be assessed with the revised tool (RoB 2) and reporting completeness with the CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 guidelines. We will report a narrative synthesis of all studies, including domain specific, and overall risk of bias for the primary outcome of each trial. Inter-rater agreement for RoB 2 will be reported using Fleiss's Kappa. For adherence to the CONSORT guidelines, we will generate a completeness of reporting index for the five domains. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION No ethics approval is required because published documents will be used. Findings of the study will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42018111020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Young
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Paediatric Anaesthesia, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Barnaby C Reeves
- Bristol Trials Centre (BRI-Hub), Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hung-Yuan Cheng
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jason Wasiak
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, Department of Radiation Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Austin Health Clinical School of Nursing, Latrobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Duncan Muir
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Anna Davies
- Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jane Blazeby
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol and University hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
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Sinha S, Gabriel VA, Nickerson DA, Fraulin FOG, Shin W, Rahmani WM, Chatterjee P, Ahuja RB, Biernaskie JA. Interventions for postburn pruritus. Hippokratia 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Sinha
- University of Calgary; Skin Regeneration Team, Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine; Rm 403, Heritage Medical Research Building 3300 Hospital Dr NW Calgary AB Canada T2N 4N1
| | - Vincent A Gabriel
- University of Calgary, Calgary Firefighters’ Burn Treatment Centre; Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Pediatrics and Surgery; Room AC 144 Special Services Building 1403 29 Street NW Calgary AB Canada T2N 2T9
| | - Duncan A Nickerson
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary Firefighters’ Burn Treatment Centre, Foothills Medical Centre; Department of Surgery; 200, 2004 14th Street NW Calgary AB Canada
| | - Frankie OG Fraulin
- Alberta Health Services, Alberta Children's Hospital; Department of Surgery; 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW Calgary AB Canada T3B 6A8
| | - Wisoo Shin
- University of Calgary; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine; 3330 Hospital Dr. NW Calgary AB Canada T2N 4N1
| | - Waleed M Rahmani
- University of Calgary; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine; 3330 Hospital Dr. NW Calgary AB Canada T2N 4N1
| | - Pallab Chatterjee
- Command Hospital Air Force; Department of Plastic Surgery, Surgical Division; Old Airport Road Bengaluru Karnataka India 560007
| | - Rajeev B Ahuja
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital; Department of Plastic Surgery; Rajinder Nagar New Delhi Delhi India 110060
| | - Jeff A Biernaskie
- University of Calgary; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine; 3330 Hospital Dr. NW Calgary AB Canada T2N 4N1
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