| Figure
1.2: Approximating the Analgesic Time-Effect Curve with Intermittent
Pain and Relief Measures |
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| Reduction
in pain is plotted against time elapsed since administration
of study medication. Open circles correspond to the patient's
pain assessment at scheduled interviews. Onset and duration
of meaningful analgesia are indicated by arrows (top panel);
in this example, onset occurs well before the first scheduled
interview. The area under this hypothetical curve (bottom
panel, shaded) is often approximated by the sum of the products
of each pain relief reading at a scheduled interview and the
time since the previous interview. |
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