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Does needle size matter? Patient experience of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone analogue injection

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 8, pages 66–68 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

To determine whether needle size influences a patient's perception of pain, 50 patients requiring hormonal manipulation for prostate cancer were blindfolded and randomised to receive two goserelin (‘Zoladex’) or two leuprorelin (‘Prostap’) injections, using 16- or 23-gauge needles, respectively. Median visual analogue scale pain scores for the first injections of goserelin and leuprorelin were below the level of clinical significance and were not statistically different. Mean administration time for goserelin was significantly shorter than for leuprorelin. In conclusion, there was no statistically significant difference in pain experienced on injection of goserelin and leuprorelin when patients were unaware of needle size.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust, Camberley, Surrey, UK

    B S I Montgomery, J P Borwell & D M Higgins

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  1. B S I Montgomery
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  2. J P Borwell
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  3. D M Higgins
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Correspondence to B S I Montgomery.

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Montgomery, B., Borwell, J. & Higgins, D. Does needle size matter? Patient experience of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone analogue injection. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 8, 66–68 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500778

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