Plasma Concentrations of Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-6 and Antiinflammatory Cytokine IL-10 in Short- and Long-term Opioid Users with Noncancer Pain.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known whether the duration of opioid use influences the concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the plasma concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 10 (IL-10), in short-, and long-term opioid users with noncancer pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients with opioid therapy for noncancer pain were recruited from pain clinics at two tertiary hospital settings in Malaysia between February 2016 and March 2017. They were stratified into short- or long-term users based on opioid prescriptions ≥ 90 days per year. A 10mL blood sample was taken for the analysis of plasma concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 and were quantified using a highly sensitive multiplex assay. RESULTS: Of 38 patients recruited, 24% (n = 9/38) and 76% (n = 29/38) were respectively short- and long-term opioid users. Short-term use of opioid was associated with higher levels of IL-6 (mean ± SD, 173.9 ± 13.7 pg/mL) and IL-10 (50 ± 5.8 pg/mL), whereas long-term use of opioids was associated with lower levels (no significant difference) of both cytokines IL6 (125 ± 16.1 pg/mL) and IL10 (41.3 ± 6.7 pg/mL). There was strong correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 within the same group (r² = 0.72, P < 0.05) and (r² = 0.76, P < 0.05) for short- and long-term users, respectively. CONCLUSION: The duration of opioid use may modulate the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in which it was higher in short-term use and lower in long-term use, but the effect of pain relief was similar as both cytokines were well correlated.

Association Between Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Number and Sites of Upper Airway Operations With Surgery Complications.

Importance: In patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), operative risks depend on the severity of the underlying OSA and the invasiveness of the surgical procedure. Objective: To investigate the nature of the associations between the severity of OSA and the number and anatomical sites of upper airway operations with operative complications. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective study included adult patients diagnosed with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], >5) who underwent upper airway surgery at a single tertiary referral hospital between October 1, 2008, and October 1, 2015. Interventions: All patients underwent single or combination surgery on the nose, palatopharyngeal (tonsils, adenoids, and soft palate), and tongue base as a treatment of OSA. Main Outcomes and Measures: Pulmonary, surgical, and cardiovascular complications within the first 30 postoperative days were analyzed according to OSA severity and types of upper airway surgery. Logistic regression was used to assess the multivariable association of OSA, age, sex, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and types of upper airway surgery with short-term operative complications. Results: The study included 95 patients (87 males [91.6%]; 83 were Malay [87.4%]; mean [SD] age, 37.7 [1.6] years) with complete data and follow-up who underwent upper airway surgery to treat OSA. Patients with more severe OSA had greater body mass index (Cohen d, 0.27; 95% CI, -0.28 to 0.82), longer surgical time (Cohen d, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.95-2.15), and older age (Cohen d, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.29-3.77). At least 1 operative complication occurred in 48 of 95 patients (51%). In a multivariable model, the overall complication rate was increased with age and body mass index. Complication rates were not associated with AHI severity, type of procedure performed, and whether the surgery was single or combination surgery. Lowest oxygen desaturation (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.96-1.45; P = .04) and longest apnea duration (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08; P = .02) were polysomnographic variables that predict the short-term operative complications. Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with OSA undergoing upper airway surgery, the severity of OSA as assessed by AHI, and the sites and numbers of concurrent operations performed were not associated with the rate of short-term operative complications.

Intrathecal analgesia in patients with cancer pain--an audit in a tertiary institution

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Cancer pain is one of the most frequently encountered pain syndromes. With the application of the World Health Organization analgesic ladder, adequate analgesia is achieved in 75% to 90% of patients. The remaining patients suffer from intractable pain requiring intrathecal analgesia. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse the pain intensity before and after intrathecal analgesia and review the complications associated with the implantation and the care of the intrathecal device.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>We reviewed medical records of all cancer patients whose pain were managed by intrathecal catheter implants in our centre from February 2005 to August 2008. The pain intensity, medication and complications related to intrathecal catheter insertion or drug delivery were reviewed at the time before starting the intrathecal analgesia (T0) and time of discharge from the hospital/time prior to death during their stay in the hospital (Tdsc).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-nine patients were included. Out of these 29 patients, 86.2% had metastatic cancer. The most common indication was poor pain control. Pain intensity was reduced significantly at the time of discharge from hospital (P < 0.001). The number of patients with side effects from opioids decreased after intrathecal treatment. We found 4 patients with short-term catheter complications e.g. kinked or displaced catheter and catheter-related infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intractable cancer pain could be managed effectively by intrathecal analgesia with a significant decrease in pain intensity and reduced opioid-related side effects. The side effects due to intrathecal opioids and complications from intrathecal catheter were minimal.</p>