The PINE study: rationale and design of a randomised comparison of epidural injection of local anaesthetics and steroids versus care-as-usual to prevent postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly [ISRCTN32866390]

Table 1 The timing of the investigations.

Abbreviations: 0 = enrolment; 1w, 2w, 3w, and 4w = 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after enrolment; 2m, 3m, and 6m = 2, 3, and 6 months after enrolment; (+6m) = every 6 months; VAS: Visual Analogue Scale; STAI: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; CES-D: Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, a screening instrument for depression in the elderly; EuroQol: five-dimensional questionnaire for assessment of the health-related quality of life; SF-36: short form-36 Health Survey, composed of 36 questions and standardised response choices; Health and Labor: questionnaire consisting of four modules, to collect data on absence from work, reduced productivity, unpaid labor production, and labor-related problems; GP-record analysis: report from general practitioners about re-interventions aiming to treat the HZ-related pain; Side effects: report from patients about side effects of treatment.

ISSN: 1471-2253