Faculty Collaboration Database

An observational cohort study comparing ibuprofen and oxycodone in children with fractures. PLoS One 2021;16(9):e0257021

Date

09/10/2021

Pubmed ID

34499688

Pubmed Central ID

PMC8428788

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0257021

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85114661991 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   7 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of prescribing ibuprofen and oxycodone for at-home management of children's fracture pain.

METHODS: A prospective observational cohort was conducted at the Stollery Children's Hospital pediatric emergency department (June 2010-July 2014). Children aged 4-16 years with an isolated fracture discharged home with advice to use either ibuprofen or oxycodone were recruited.

RESULTS: A cohort of 329 children (n = 217 ibuprofen, n = 112 oxycodone) were included. Mean age was 11.1 years (SD 3.5); 68% (223/329) were male. Fracture distribution included 80.5% (264/329) upper limb with 34.3% (113/329) requiring fracture reduction. The mean reduction in Faces Pain Score-Revised score (maximum pain-post-treatment pain) for Day 1 was 3.6 (SD 1.9) (ibuprofen) and 3.8 (SD 2.1) (oxycodone) (p = 0.50); Day 2 was 3.6 (SD 1.8) (ibuprofen) and 3.7 (SD 1.6) (oxycodone) (p = 0.56); Day 3 was 3.7 (SD 1.7) (ibuprofen) and 3.3 (SD 1.7) (oxycodone) (p = 0.24). Children prescribed ibuprofen (51.2%, 109/213) experienced less adverse events compared to those prescribed oxycodone (70.5% 79/112) on Day 1 (p = 0.001). Children prescribed ibuprofen (71.8%, 150/209) had their function (eat, play, school, sleep) affected less than those prescribed oxycodone (83.0%, 93/112) (p = 0.03) on Day 1.

CONCLUSION: Children prescribed ibuprofen or oxycodone experienced similar analgesic effectiveness for at-home fracture pain. Oxycodone prescribing was associated with more adverse events and negatively impacted function. Oxycodone use does not appear to confer any benefit over ibuprofen for pain relief and has a negative adverse effect profile. Ibuprofen appears to be a safe option for fracture-related pain.

Author List

Ali S, Manaloor R, Johnson DW, Rosychuk RJ, LeMay S, Carleton B, McGrath PJ, Drendel AL, Pediatric Emergency Research Canada

Author

Amy L. Drendel DO Interim Chief, Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acetaminophen
Adolescent
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
Analgesics, Opioid
Child
Child, Preschool
Cohort Studies
Double-Blind Method
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Fractures, Bone
Humans
Ibuprofen
Male
Oxycodone
Pain Management
Pain Measurement
Pain, Postoperative