Comparison of Regularly Scheduled Ibuprofen Versus "Pro Re Nata" for Ankle Sprains in Children Treated in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We compared pain and degree of disability in patients with acute ankle sprains receiving regular scheduled ibuprofen versus pro re nata (PRN).

METHODS:

This study is a randomized single-blinded controlled trial of children aged 7 to 17 years presenting with acute ankle sprain to an emergency department. Patients were randomized to receive 10 mg/kg of ibuprofen per dose (maximum 600 mg) every 6 hours regular scheduled versus PRN. Outcome measures included a 100-mm visual analog scale pain and degree of disability at day 4. A sample size of 72 children had a power of 80% to detect a clinically meaningful difference of 20 mm between the regular and PRN group.

RESULTS:

We randomly assigned 99 patients to receive regular scheduled (n = 50) or PRN (n = 49) ibuprofen. Pain scores and degree of disability at day 4 showed no significant differences between groups. The rate of reported adverse effects was higher in the regular scheduled group (11.4% vs 9.5%) versus the PRN group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study suggests that there is little benefit from routinely using a regular scheduled ibuprofen regimen for acute pediatric ankle sprains.

• Authors: Rodrick Lim, Gurinder Sangha, Natasha Lepore, Katelyn M Bartlett, Jamie A Seabrook, Michael Rieder
• Journal: Pediatric emergency care (Pediatr Emerg Care) Vol. 36 Issue 12 Pg. 559-563 (Dec 2020) ISSN: 1535-1815 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33060555 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Ibuprofen

Topics

• Adolescent
• Ankle Injuries (drug therapy)
• Child
• Double-Blind Method
• Emergency Service, Hospital
• Humans
• Ibuprofen (therapeutic use)
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Pain Measurement
• Sprains and Strains (drug therapy)