title: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study of low-dose intravenous Lorazepam to reduce procedural pain during bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous lorazepam as premedication for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-eight consenting patients planned to receive BMAB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous lorazepam 1 mg or placebo just prior to BMAB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center, inpatient setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was used to determine the patient perception about the procedure and pain at baseline, which was completed just after the procedure, and the next day after the BMAB. Pain was rated using a 10-cm linear visual analog scale (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean VAS scores measured during the BMAB examination were 6.0 for lorazepam vs 6.2 for placebo. Few adverse events were noted during intravenous lorazepam administration. The patients in the lorazepam group were more likely to accept the next BMAB (P = 0.044).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous lorazepam was safe in patients undergoing BMAB and was more effective than placebo in enhancing cooperation during BMAB and willingness to undergo another procedure. However, use of lorazepam 1 mg provided no reduction in the pain associated with BMAB. Further studies should focus on providing appropriate analgesia for this potentially painful procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Soo-Mee
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Eunmi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Eun Kyung
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Dong Bok
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jae Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeong Yeal
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010919:Placebos; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010919:Placebos; D008140:Lorazepam