Effectiveness of skin icing in reducing pain associated with goserelin acetate injection.
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.
Kinoshita
Hidefumi
H
Department of Urology and Andrology, Kansai Medical University, 2-3-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-1191, Japan. kinoshih@hirakata.kmu.ac.jp
Kawa
Gen
G
Hiura
Yoshihito
Y
Chizaki
Ryusuke
R
Matsuda
Tadashi
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003080:Cold Temperature; D017273:Goserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012881:Skin Temperature
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D017273:Goserelin