title: The effects of single-dose dexamethasone on inflammatory response and pain after uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic fibroids or adenomyosis: a randomised controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of single-dose intravenous dexamethasone on inflammatory responses, pain, nausea, and vomiting after uterine artery embolisation (UAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomised, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary-care University centre in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing UAE for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids or adenomyosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomised to receive either intravenous dexamethasone (10 mg; dexamethasone group) or normal saline (control group) 1 hour before UAE. Both groups received fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) during the 24 hours after UAE.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcomes were the inflammatory and stress responses measured by white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cortisol. Secondary outcomes were severity of pain and incidence of nausea and vomiting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four patients were enrolled and 59 patients completed the study. CRP, IL-6, and cortisol were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared with the control group during the 24 hours after UAE. Although the cumulative dose of fentanyl and additional analgesics administered during the 24 hours after UAE were similar between the two groups, pain scores were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group from 12 hours after UAE, and the incidence of severe nausea and vomiting was lower in the dexamethasone group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of single-dose intravenous dexamethasone as an adjunct to fentanyl-based intravenous PCA is effective in reducing inflammation and pain during the first 24 hours after UAE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexamethasone is effective in reducing inflammation and pain after uterine artery embolisation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: B-N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ban
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D062788:Adenomyosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Dexamethasone; inflammation; nausea; pain; uterine artery embolisation; vomiting