Gabapentin can significantly improve dystonia severity and quality of life in children
tone and motor problems; IND; pharmacologic intervention; gabapentin; involuntary muscle contractions
INTRODUCTION: Gabapentin has been used in the management of neuropathic pain, epilepsy and occasionally movement disorders. METHODS: A four-year retrospective, observational study analysed the use of gabapentin for severe dystonia in children at the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Motor severity was classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Dystonia Severity Assessment Plan (DSAP) and levels of impairment in activities of daily living were graded according to the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, Children & Youth version (ICF-CY) before and after gabapentin. RESULTS: The majority of the 69 children reported were level 5 GMFCS (non-ambulant). The DSAP grade fell significantly from grade 3 before to grade 1 after gabapentin. Significant improvements in median ICF-CY grades were seen following gabapentin in sleep quality, sleep amount, mood & agreeableness, pain, general muscle tone, involuntary muscle contractions and seating tolerance (p < 0.01 in all areas). A significantly higher mean dose of 18.1 mg/kg/dose (SD: 13.3) for dystonia, compared to 7.61 mg/kg/dose (SD: 4.14) for pain relief without dystonia (z = -2.54, p = 0.011) was noted. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: Gabapentin may significantly ameliorate dystonia severity and improve activities of daily living and quality of life in children with severe dystonia.
Liow N Y; Gimeno H; Lumsden D E; Marianczak J; Kaminska M; Tomlin S; Lin J S
European Journal of Paediatric Neurology
2016
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2015.09.007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.ejpn.2015.09.007</a>
Palliative Care
Neoplasm; Palliative Therapy; 73-78-9 (lidocaine); 76-99-3 (methadone); 103-90-2 (paracetamol); 125-56-4 (methadone); 137-58-6 (lidocaine); 297-88-1 (methadone); 437-38-7 (fentanyl); 1095-90-5 (methadone); 8002-76-4 (opiate); 8008-60-4 (opiate); 12794-10-4 (benzodiazepine); 23142-53-2 (methadone); 24847-67-4 (lidocaine); 53663-61-9 (opiate); 56934-02-2 (lidocaine); 60142-96-3 (gabapentin); Acute Stress Disorder; Alcohol Consumption; Anticonvulsive Agent; Appetite; Benzodiazepine; Corticosteroid; Distress Syndrome; Dyspnea; Fentanyl; Gabapentin; Hair Loss; Health Care Personnel; Health Care System; Hospital; Human; Intensive Care Unit; Lidocaine; Major Depression; Medical Staff; Methadone; Mortality; Nausea And Vomiting; Obesity; Opiate; Paracetamol; Paralysis; Patient Care Planning; Priority Journal; Prostaglandin/ec [endogenous Compound]; Quality Of Life; Tracheostomy
Cancer is a leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) Wiener et al. (Pediatr Blood Cancer 60(5):715-718, 2013). Though most AYAs will survive, cancer will become incurable in 10-40 % Schrijvers and Meijnder (Cancer Treat Rev 33(7):616-621, 2007). Although the general philosophies of palliative care apply to AYAs, developmental considerations are unique to this group (Ferrari et al. J Clin Oncol Off J Am Soc Clin Oncol 28(32):4850-4857, 2010); Wein et al. J Clin Oncol Off J Am Soc Clin Oncol 28(32):4819-4824, 2010). The interaction of psychosocial, emotional, physical, and existential issues is essential to consider (Wein et al. J Clin Oncol Off J Am Soc Clin Oncol 28(32):4819-4824, 2010). The gaps in care experienced on both sides of the healthcare system between pediatric and adult medicine can be particularly impactful when delivering palliative care. The benefit of a multidisciplinary palliative care approach is widely appreciated as is the need to begin the process early in order to develop a trusting relationship (Wiener et al. Pediatr Blood Cancer 60(5):715-718, 2013; Baker et al. Pediatr Clin N Am 55(1):223-250, 2008; Ferris et al. J Clin Oncol Off J Am Soc Clin Oncol 27(18):3052-3058). Honest communication which supports autonomy is essential in discussions of their goals, worries, risks versus benefits of treatment, and advanced care planning (Clark and Fasciano Am J Hosp Palliat Care 32(1):101-111, 2015; Christenson et al. J Pediatr Health Care Off Publ Natl Assoc Pediatr Nurse Assoc Pract 24(5):286-291, 2010; Linebarger et al. Pediatr Clin N Am 61(4):785-796, 2014).
Wasilewski-Masker K; Howk T; Connelly E; Postovsky S; Brill P; Wrammert KC; Pillai R
Pediatric Oncology
2017
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33679-4_31" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1007/978-3-319-33679-4_31</a>
Development Of Research Priorities In Paediatric Pain And Palliative Care
Chronic Pain; Palliative Therapy; Research Priority; Awareness; Child; Clinical Research; Clinical Study; Clinical Trial; Data Base; Exercise; Gabapentin; Human; Nonsteroid Antiinflammatory Agent; Opiate; Pharmacokinetics; Postoperative Pain; Safety; Symptom; Uncertainty; United Kingdom
Liossi C; Anderson AK; Howard R
British Journal Of Pain
2017
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
10.1177/2049463716668906