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Comparison of Regularly Scheduled Ibuprofen Versus "Pro Re Nata" for Ankle Sprains in Children Treated in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pediatric emergency care
  • Rodrick Lim, Department of Paediatrics, Western University
  • Gurinder Sangha, Department of Paediatrics, Western University
  • Natasha Lepore, Department of Paediatrics, Western University
  • Katelyn M Bartlett, Department of Paediatrics, Western University
  • Jamie A Seabrook
  • Michael Rieder, Department of Paediatrics, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2020
URL with Digital Object Identifier
doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002282
Disciplines
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.

Citation Information
Rodrick Lim, Gurinder Sangha, Natasha Lepore, Katelyn M Bartlett, et al.. "Comparison of Regularly Scheduled Ibuprofen Versus "Pro Re Nata" for Ankle Sprains in Children Treated in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Pediatric emergency care Vol. 36 Iss. 12 (2020) p. 559 - 563
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jamie-seabrook/8/