Abstract
Background
This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of topical capsaicin and topical
piroxicam in acute musculoskeletal injuries.
Methods
This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded study. The data for
the 67 patients in the piroxicam group and the 69 in the capsaicin group were examined.
The initial visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared with the 60th and 120th
minute as well as the 24th and 72nd hour values. Differences between the VAS scores,
clinical effectiveness of the treatment and side effects were evaluated.
Results
In the capsaicin group, the mean difference in the delta VAS scores was significantly
higher at each measurement time. The mean of the percentage of reduction in the VAS
scores of the topical capsaicin group was significantly higher than that in the topical
piroxicam group. The highest difference in terms of both outcomes was determined at
the 72nd hour VAS change. Mean differences were 1.53 (95% CI: 0.85–2.221) and 19.7
(95% CI: 12.4–27.2) respectively (p < 0.001). In the capsaicin group, the clinical effect of the treatment was found
significantly higher (p < 0.01). The difference between the clinical effectiveness of the groups regarding
the treatment outcomes was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the patient groups regarding
the presence of side effects.
Conclusion
Topical capsaicin can be used as an alternative to topical piroxicam initially and
at follow-up in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute pain as
there were no observable differences in side-effects between the two groups.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: June 02, 2020
Accepted:
May 25,
2020
Received in revised form:
May 22,
2020
Received:
March 26,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
