BACKGROUND: Goserelin acetate, which is injected through a 16-gauge needle, makes some patients feel substantial, although tolerable, pain. We tried to clarify whether injection pain was reduced by icing the skin at the injection site. METHODS: Pain associated with the injection of goserelin acetate was prospectively evaluated in 48 patients who had received an 10.8-mg goserelin injection at least once previously. In this study, the first injection was administered by usual methods, and 3 months later a second injection was administered after icing the skin at the injection site. Pain intensity was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. RESULTS: VAS pain scores for the usual injection method were 32.4 ± 21.7 mm [mean ± 2 standard deviation (SD)] and was significantly lower (16.4 ± 17.9) for the icing method (p = 0.001, paired t test). Thirty-three (68.8%), eight (16.7%), and seven (14.6%) of the 48 patients reported a decrease, no change, and increase, respectively, in VAS pain score by the icing method. CONCLUSIONS: Icing at the injection site of goserelin acetate is a safe and effective method to reduce injection pain. This method can be easily performed in daily practice if a patient complains of pain at the injection site.
BACKGROUND: Goserelin acetate, which is injected through a 16-gauge needle, makes some patients feel substantial, although tolerable, pain. We tried to clarify whether injection pain was reduced by icing the skin at the injection site. METHODS:Pain associated with the injection of goserelin acetate was prospectively evaluated in 48 patients who had received an 10.8-mg goserelin injection at least once previously. In this study, the first injection was administered by usual methods, and 3 months later a second injection was administered after icing the skin at the injection site. Pain intensity was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. RESULTS: VAS pain scores for the usual injection method were 32.4 ± 21.7 mm [mean ± 2 standard deviation (SD)] and was significantly lower (16.4 ± 17.9) for the icing method (p = 0.001, paired t test). Thirty-three (68.8%), eight (16.7%), and seven (14.6%) of the 48 patients reported a decrease, no change, and increase, respectively, in VAS pain score by the icing method. CONCLUSIONS: Icing at the injection site of goserelin acetate is a safe and effective method to reduce injection pain. This method can be easily performed in daily practice if a patient complains of pain at the injection site.