title: Ketoprofen gel improves low back pain in addition to IV dexketoprofen: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oligoanalgesia is common in emergency departments (EDs), and pain management is of concern for ED physicians. The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of ketoprofen gel in patients presenting with mechanical low back pain to the ED.
  
  
  METHODS
  All the study patients received intravenous dexketoprofen additional to study drugs. After dexketoprofen, 2 g of 2.5% ketoprofen gel or placebo was administered to the site with pain and tenderness. Pain relief at 15 and 30 minutes was measured by visual analog scale scores. Rescue drug need and adverse effects were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 140 patients were enrolled into the study. The mean age of the study patients was 35±12, and 56% (n=79) of them were male. The mean pain reduction at 30 minutes was 52±18 for ketoprofen gel and 37±17 for placebo, and ketoprofen gel was better than placebo at 30 minutes (mean difference, 16 mm; 95% confidence interval, 10-21). Ten patients (14%) in the placebo group and 2 patients (3%) in the ketoprofen gel group needed rescue drug (P=.35).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ketoprofen gel improves pain in patients presenting with mechanical low back pain to ED at 30 minutes in addition to intravenous dexketoprofen when compared to placebo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Pamukkale University Hospital, Denizli, Turkey. Electronic address: aserinken@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serinken
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: cenkereken@akdeniz.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Cenker
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eken
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kocatepe University Medical Faculty, Afyon, Turkey. Electronic address: kamiltunay@yahoo.com.tr.
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tunay
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty, Manisa, Turkey. Electronic address: acilyg@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yalcin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Golcuk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014325:Tromethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C117916:ketoprofen topical gel; D014325:Tromethamine; D007660:Ketoprofen; C118296:dexketoprofen trometamol