Topical rubefacients for acute and chronic pain in adults

摘要: Background: Rubefacients (containing salicylates or nicotinamides) cause irritation of the skin, and are believed to relieve various musculo-skeletal pains. They available on prescription, common components in over-the-counter remedies. A non-Cochrane review 2004 found limited evidence for efficacy. Objectives: To current efficacy safety topically applied rubefacients acute chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions adults. Search strategy: Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Oxford Pain Relief Database, reference lists articles were searched; last search December 2008. Selection criteria: Randomised, double blind, placebo active controlled clinical trials topical rubefacient pain adults, with at least 10 participants per treatment arm, reporting outcomes close 7 (minimum 3, maximum 10) days 14 7) longer conditions. Data collection analysis: Two authors independently assessed inclusion quality, extracted data. Relative benefit risk number needed treat harm (NNT NNH) calculated 95% confidence intervals (CI). Acute analysed separately. Main results: Six one studies (560 137 participants) pain, seven two (489 90 included. All used salicylates. The was not robust; using only better valid studies, there no difference between control, though overall, including lower quality NNT success compared 3.2 (95% CI: 2.4 4.9). In 6.2 4.0 13) placebo. Adverse events withdrawals occurred more often than placebo, but analyses sensitive individual so robust. There insufficient data draw conclusions against controls. Authors' conclusions: does support use containing injuries, suggests that their compares poorly non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Topical seem be relatively well tolerated short-term, based is all other components. Copyright © 2009 Collaboration. Published by John Wiley Sons, Ltd.