Journal Article

Effect of dexamethasone as an analgesic adjuvant to multimodal pain treatment after total knee arthroplasty: randomised clinical trial

Jensen, Mette Skov, Bagger, Jens, Nørskov, Anders Kehlet, Pallesen, Marie Jøhnk, Lindberg-Larsen, Martin, Hägi-Pedersen, Daniel, Overgaard, Søren, Pedersen, Niels Anker, Ammitzboell, Mette, Lindholm, Peter, Vinstrup, Louise Ørts, Gasbjerg, Kasper Smidt, Mathiesen, Ole, Schrøder, Henrik Morville, Laursen, Christina Cleveland, Lunn, Troels Haxholdt, Jakobsen, Karina, Holmqvist, Majken, Brorson, Stig, Thybo, Kasper Højgaard, Jakobsen, Janus Christian

2022

Overview

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effects of one and two doses of intravenous dexamethasone in patients after total knee arthroplasty.DesignRandomised, blinded, placebo controlled trial with follow-up at 90 days.SettingFive Danish hospitals, September 2018 to March 2020.Participants485 adult participants undergoing total knee arthroplasty.InterventionA computer generated randomised sequence stratified for site was used to allocate participants to one of three groups: DX1 (dexamethasone (24 mg)+placebo); DX2 (dexamethasone (24 mg)+dexamethasone (24 mg)); or placebo (placebo+placebo). The intervention was given preoperatively and after 24 hours. Participants, investigators, and outcome assessors were blinded. All participants received paracetamol, ibuprofen, and local infiltration analgesia.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was total intravenous morphine consumption 0 to 48 hours postoperatively. Multiplicity adjusted threshold for statistical significance was P<0.017 and minimal important difference was 10 mg morphine. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain.Results485 participants were randomised: 161 to DX1, 162 to DX2, and 162 to placebo. Data from 472 participants (97.3%) were included in the primary outcome analysis. The median (interquartile range) morphine consumptions at 0-48 hours were: DX1 37.9 mg (20.7 to 56.7); DX2 35.0 mg (20.6 to 52.0); and placebo 43.0 mg (28.7 to 64.0). Hodges-Lehmann median differences between groups were: −2.7 mg (98.3% confidence interval −9.3 to 3.7), P=0.30 between DX1 and DX2; 7.8 mg (0.7 to 14.7), P=0.008 between DX1 and placebo; and 10.7 mg (4.0 to 17.3), P<0.001 between DX2 and placebo. Postoperative pain was reduced at 24 hours with one dose, and at 48 hours with two doses, of dexamethasone.ConclusionTwo doses of dexamethasone reduced morphine consumption during 48 hours after total knee arthroplasty and reduced postoperative pain.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT03506789.

• Publisher: British Medical Journal Publishing Group,BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Acetaminophen - administration & dosage / Aged / Analgesia / Analgesics / Analgesics - administration & dosage / Arthroplasty (knee) / Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - adverse effects / Clinical medicine / Cytokines / Dexamethasone / Dexamethasone - administration & dosage / Double-Blind Method / Drug dosages / Drug Therapy, Combination / Female / General anesthesia / Hospitals / Humans / Ibuprofen / Ibuprofen - administration & dosage / Intravenous administration / Joint replacement surgery / Joint surgery / Male / Middle Aged / Morphine / Morphine - administration & dosage / Narcotics / Nausea / Pain / Pain Management - methods / Pain Measurement / Pain perception / Pain, Postoperative - etiology / Pain, Postoperative - therapy / Paracetamol / Patients / Placebos / Statistical analysis / Steroids / Treatment Outcome