scholarly journals The Prevalence and Characteristics of Breakthrough Cancer Pain in Patients Receiving Low Doses of Opioids for Background Pain

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1058
Author(s):  
Sebastiano Mercadante ◽  
Marco Maltoni ◽  
Domenico Russo ◽  
Claudio Adile ◽  
Patrizia Ferrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Oral Morphine ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Low Doses ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Breakthrough Cancer Pain ◽  
Background Pain ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Oral Morphine Equivalent

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in patients receiving low doses of opioids for background pain. A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients receiving less than 60 mg/day of oral morphine equivalent (OME) was selected. Epidemiological data, background pain intensity, and current analgesic therapy were recorded. The presence of BTcP was diagnosed according to a standard algorithm. The number of BTcP episodes, intensity of BTcP, its predictability and triggers, onset duration, interference with daily activities, BTcP medications, satisfaction with BTcP medication, and time to meaningful pain relief were collected. A total of 126 patients were screened. The mean intensity of background pain was 2.71 (1.57), and the mean OME was 28.5 mg/day (SD15.8). BTP episodes were recorded in 88 patients (69.8%). The mean number/day of BTP episodes was 4.1 (SD 7.1, range 1–30). In a significant percentage of patients, BTcP was both predictable and unpredictable (23%). The BTcP onset was less than 20 min in the majority of patients. The mean duration of untreated episodes was 47.5 (SD 47.6) minutes. The mean time to meaningful pain relief after taking a BTcP medication was >20 min in 44.5% of patients. The efficacy of BTcP medication was not considered good in more than 63% of patients. Gender (females) (OR = 4.16) and lower Karnofsky (OR = 0.92) were independently associated with BTcP. A higher number of BTcP episodes/day was associated with gender (females) (p = 0.036), short duration of BTcP (p = 0.005), poorer efficacy of BTcP medication (none or mild) (p = 0.001), and late meaningful pain relief (p = 0.024). The poor efficacy of BTcP medication was independently associated with a higher number of episodes/day (OR = 0.22). In patients who were receiving low doses of opioids, BTcP prevalence was 69.8%. Many patients did not achieve a sufficient level of satisfaction with BTcP medications, particularly with oral morphine. Data also suggest that better optimization of background analgesia, though apparently acceptable, may limit the number of BTcP episodes.

scholarly journals Breakthrough Cancer Pain in Patients Receiving Low Doses of Opioids for Background Pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastiano Mercadante ◽  
Augusto Caraceni ◽  
Francesco Masedu ◽  
Teresa Scipioni ◽  
Federica Aielli
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Low Doses ◽  
Breakthrough Cancer Pain ◽  
Background Pain

scholarly journals Impact of individualized management of breakthrough cancer pain on quality of life in advanced cancer patients: CAVIDIOPAL study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Tuca Rodríguez ◽  
Miguel Núñez Viejo ◽  
Pablo Maradey ◽  
Jaume Canal-Sotelo ◽  
Plácido Guardia Mancilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Low Doses ◽  
Breakthrough Cancer Pain ◽  
Eortc Qlq C30 ◽  
Eortc Qlq ◽  
Individualized Management ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose The main aim of the study was to assess the impact of individualized management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) on quality of life (QoL) of patients with advanced cancer in clinical practice. Methods A prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted in patients with advanced cancer that were assisted by palliative care units. QoL was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire at baseline (V0) and after 28 days (V28) of individualized BTcP therapy. Data on background pain, BTcP, comorbidities, and frailty were also recorded. Results Ninety-three patients completed the study. Intensity, duration, and number of BTcP episodes were reduced (p < 0.001) at V28 with individualized therapy. Transmucosal fentanyl was used in 93.8% of patients, mainly by sublingual route. Fentanyl titration was initiated at low doses (78.3% of patients received doses of 67 μg, 100 μg, or 133 μg) according to physician evaluation. At V28, mean perception of global health status had increased from 31.1 to 53.1 (p < 0.001). All scales of EORTC QLQ-C30 significantly improved (p < 0.001) except physical functioning, diarrhea, and financial difficulties. Pain scale improved from 73.6 ± 22.6 to 35.7 ± 22.3 (p < 0.001). Moreover, 85.9% of patients reported pain improvement. Probability of no ≥ 25% improvement in QoL was significantly higher in patients ≥ 65 years old (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.001–1.079) and patients hospitalized at baseline (OR 4.126; 95% CI 1.227–13.873). Conclusion Individualized BTcP therapy improved QoL of patients with advanced cancer. Transmucosal fentanyl at low doses was the most used drug. Trial registration This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov database (NCT02840500) on July 19, 2016.

scholarly journals Continuing care for cancer pain relief with oral morphine solution. One-year experience in a regional cancer center

Cancer ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1590-1595 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vijayaram ◽  
P. V. Ramamani ◽  
N. S. Chandrashekhar ◽  
R. Sudharshan ◽  
Roshini Heranjal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Oral Morphine ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Continuing Care ◽  
Morphine Solution ◽  
One Year

scholarly journals OP0088 INITIATING TNF INHIBITORS IN INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS DOES NOT DECREASE THE AVERAGE OPIOID ANALGESIC CONSUMPTION

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 58.2-59
Author(s):  
O. Palsson ◽  
T. Love ◽  
J. K. Wallman ◽  
M. C. Kapetanovic ◽  
P. S. Gunnarsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Inflammatory Arthritis ◽  
Opioid Analgesic ◽  
Oral Morphine ◽  
Undifferentiated Arthritis ◽  
First Line ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Oral Morphine Equivalent ◽  
Morphine Equivalent

Background:TNFα-inhibitor (TNFi) therapy is effective in controlling several rheumatic diseases and has been shown to reduce pain in patients with arthritis. Opioids are often prescribed for chronic pain, a common issue in inflammatory joint disease.Objectives:To explore the impact of the initiation of TNFi therapy as a first-line biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) on the prescription rates of opioids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated arthritis (UA) in Iceland.Methods:All patients receiving biologic DMARD therapy for rheumatic diseases in Iceland are registered in a nationwide database (ICEBIO). The Icelandic Directorate of Health operates a Prescription Medicines Register that includes over 90% of all drug prescriptions in Iceland. The study group included patients with RA, PsA, AS, and UA registered in ICEBIO and for each of them five randomly selected comparators from the general population matched on age, sex, and calendar time. On February 1st2016 we extracted data on all filled opioid analgesic prescriptions two years before and two years after the date of TNFi initiation.Results:Data from 359 RA, 217 AS, 251 PsA and 113 UA patients and 4700 comparators were collected. In total, 75% of patients compared to 43% of comparators received ≥1 opiate prescription during the study period. The proportion of patients using opioids (regardless of dose) two years prior to TNFi initiation was 41%, increasing to 49% the following year. After TNFi initiation the proportion returned to 40% (Figure 1). Despite this, the mean yearly opiate dose used by the patients followed a rising trajectory throughout the study period (Figure 2). In total, patients were prescribed nearly 6 times more opioids than the comparators, corresponding to a bootstrapped mean (95% CI) dose of 818 (601-1073) mg MED per patient and year compared to 139 (111-171) mg for comparators.Figure 1.Percental distributions of opioid analgesic use by dose (according to dispensed prescriptions) among patients with inflammatory arthritis (A) and matched comparators (B). All doses are oral morphine equivalent dose (MED) in milligrams.Figure 2.Bootstrapped mean oral morphine equivalent dose per person per year for patients with inflammatory arthritis (above) and age and sex matched comparators (below). Box edges represent 25-75thpercentiles and whiskers 95% confidence intervals.Conclusion:Three out of four patients with inflammatory arthritis in Iceland use opioid analgesics in the two years prior to and/or after the initiation of TNFi therapy and the mean doses were significantly higher than in matched comparators. The proportion of patients receiving opioids increased before TNFi therapy and then decreased again to the previous level. The initiation of the first-line TNFi did not reduce opioid consumption by dose at the group level. On the contrary, there was a trend towards increasing doses over time in both patients and comparators, possibly reflecting the development of opiate tolerance.Table 1.Baseline demographic data. Mean ± SD unless specified. * defined from diagnosis to baselAll patientsRheumatoid arthritisPsoriatic arthritisAnkylosing spondylitisUndifferentiated arthritisTotal n (%)940 (100)359 (38)251 (27)217 (23)113 (12)Age (years)49 ± 1453 ± 1449 ± 1343 ± 1344 ± 15Disease duration (years)*7.8 ± 8.58.2 ± 8.27.4 ± 7.88.3 ± 10.26.3 ± 6.6Female58%73%59%34%52%Disclosure of Interests:Olafur Palsson: None declared, Thorvardur Love: None declared, Johan K Wallman Consultant of: Consultant for AbbVie, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Novartis and UCB Pharma., Meliha C Kapetanovic: None declared, Petur S Gunnarsson: None declared, Björn Gudbjornsson Speakers bureau: Novartis and Amgen

scholarly journals Metamizole/dipyrone for the relief of cancer pain: A systematic review and evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Gaertner ◽  
Ulrike M Stamer ◽  
Constanze Remi ◽  
Raymond Voltz ◽  
Claudia Bausewein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Oral Morphine ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Low Doses ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Background: Dipyrone (metamizole) is one of the most widely used non-opioid analgesics for the treatment of cancer pain. Aim: Because evidence-based recommendations are not yet available, a systematic review was conducted for the German Guideline Program in Oncology to provide recommendations for the use of dipyrone in cancer pain. Design: First, a systematic review for clinical trials assessing dipyrone in adult patients with cancer pain was conducted. Endpoints were pain intensity, opioid-sparing effects, safety, and quality of life. Data sources: The search was performed in MedLine, Embase (via Ovid), and the Cochrane Library (1948–2013) and additional hand search was conducted. Finally, recommendations were developed and agreed in a formal structured consensus process by 53 representatives of scientific medical societies and 49 experts. Results: Of 177 retrieved studies, 4 could be included (3 randomized controlled trials and 1 cohort study, n = 252 patients): dipyrone significantly decreased pain intensity compared to placebo, even if low doses (1.5–2 g/day) were used. Higher doses (3 × 2 g/day) were more effective than low doses (3 × 1 g/day), but equally effective as 60 mg oral morphine/day. Pain reduction of dipyrone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not differ significantly. Compared to placebo, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and morphine, the incidence of adverse effects was not increased. Conclusion: Dipyrone can be recommended for the treatment of cancer pain as an alternative to other non-opioids either alone or in combination with opioids. It can be preferred over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs due to the presumably favorable side effect profile in long-term use, but comparative studies are not available for long-term use.

scholarly journals Experience with oral morphine for cancer pain relief

1989 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vijayaram ◽  
Krishna Bhargava ◽  
Ramamani ◽  
Chandrasekhar ◽  
Sudharshan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Oral Morphine

Lack of correlation between the effective dose of fentanyl sublingual spray for breakthrough cancer pain and the around-the-clock opioid dose

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas R. Nalamachu, MD ◽  
Neha Parikh ◽  
Larry Dillaha, MD ◽  
Richard Rauck, MD
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Dose Titration ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Breakthrough Cancer Pain ◽  
Opioid Dose ◽  
Titration Phase

Objective: To examine the relationship between the dose of fentanyl sublingual spray needed to control breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) and the dose of around-the-clock (ATC) opioid used to control background pain.Design: Analysis was based on the open-label, dose-titration phase (up to 26 days) of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Patients: Opioid-tolerant cancer patients (aged ≥18 years) with chronic pain of ≤moderate severity in the 24 hours before screening while receiving stable doses of scheduled ATC opioid therapy for ≥1 week and 1 to 4 episodes of BTCP per day.Interventions: Fentanyl sublingual spray was initiated at 100 μg. Dose titration proceeded until a dose was reached that provided adequate pain relief for two consecutive BTCP episodes without intolerable adverse effects (AEs).Results: Overall, 98/130 (75.4 percent) patients completed the dose-titration phase and achieved pain relief, and 73.5 percent of those who completed the titration period attained an effective dose of ≥600 μg (median effective dose, 800 μg). No clinically relevant correlation was found between effective doses of fentanyl sublingual spray for the treatment of BTCP and the ATC opioid doses used to control persistent pain (Spearman rank correlation [rs ] = 0.351, n = 98). Sixty percent of patients reported ≥1 AE during the dose-titration phase. The most common AEs considered related to study treatment were nausea (6.2 percent), somnolence (4.6 percent), dizziness (3.8 percent), and vomiting (3.8 percent).Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of titrating the dose of fentanyl sublingual spray to optimize dosing for individual patients. 

Evaluation of the Japanese opioid conversion ratio for switching to methadone for cancer pain control.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 196-196
Author(s):  
Yoshinobu Matsuda ◽  
Sachiko Okayama ◽  
Yoshito Yoshikawa ◽  
Yoshio Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Oral Morphine ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Dose Titration ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Methadone Dose ◽  
Opioid Dose ◽  
Refractory Pain ◽  
Starting Dose ◽  
Oral Morphine Equivalent

196 Background: In Japan, oral administration of methadone was approved for patients with cancer pain in March 2013. As methadone exhibits complex pharmacokinetics with individual differences and rare but serious adverse effects, methadone is only prescribed as a fourth-line drug by cancer pain specialists, who must start methadone according to the following table and must not increase methadone dose within 7 days. Aims: To assess the validity of the Japanese opioid conversion ratio. Methods: The clinical characteristics of 60 patients who were prescribed oral methadone between April 2013 and March 2016 were analyzed. Results: The switch from other opioids to methadone was initiated due to refractory pain in the stop-and-go switching. According to the table in Japan, the starting dose of methadone ranged from 15-45mg/day, depending on the previous opioid dose. Fifty cases (11 outpatients, 39 inpatients) were successfully switched to methadone; although 10 cases subsequently exhibited rapid progression of illness and failed due to oral difficulty during the course of dose titration. At the outset, the average oral morphine equivalent daily dose before methadone administration was 155mg (range, 40-660mg) and the starting methadone dose was 10 mg in 2 cases (extremely old age and multi-drug taking), 15 mg in 35 cases, 30 mg in 11 cases and 45 mg in 2 cases. Upon completion of the dose titration according to the Japanese definition, the methadone dose was the same as the starting dose in 21 cases, and was decreased or increased from the starting dose in 5 and 24 cases, respectively. Conclusions: TheJapanese opioid conversion ratio might be better corrected in the near future. For example, it is good to be able to start with 10mg or 20 mg because minute changes might lead the performance of low dose titration in some cases. It should be possible to increase the dose of methadone after 3 or 4 days from the later change based upon the pain severity. [Table: see text]

Facilitation of accurate and effective radiation therapy using fentanyl pectin nasal spray (FPNS) to reduce incidental breakthrough pain due to procedure positioning

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Prieto ◽  
José Pardo ◽  
Javier Luna ◽  
Juan P. Marin ◽  
Jesús Olivera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Breakthrough Pain ◽  
Pharmacoeconomic Analysis ◽  
Opioid Analgesic ◽  
Oral Morphine ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients

AbstractPurposeTo provide effective and accurate radiotherapy (RT) for advanced cancer patients who experience breakthrough pain (BP) due to positioning manoeuvres, through the use of FPNS. Secondary endpoints were the dose and time required to achieve a 50% numeric rating scale (NRS) reduction and conduction of a pharmacoeconomic analysis.Patients and methodsTwenty-seven advanced cancer patients with moderate-severe BP associated with routine radiotherapy procedures and manoeuvres were selected to receive FPNS. Most patients (20/27) had bone metastases. The patients showed a low Karnovsky performance status (mean 54%; range: 30–80). BP intensity was scored with the NRS before and after the procedures that triggered it. All patients were already receiving opioid baseline treatment at a total dose equivalent to 40–160 mg oral morphine. Before the procedure, BP was treated with 100-400 μg of FPNS. Data related to tolerance, pain relief, onset of the relief and efficient dose to allow RT to proceed were collected.Results In 26 patients the BP score was reduced by at least 50% as determined in 15.5 min (range 8-35 min) after fentanyl pectin intranasal administration, and pain relief started after 7 min (range 3–15 min); p <0.05 in both cases. The duration of pain reduction facilitated the proceeding of RT. The Mean NRS score before the procedure was 9 (95%CI: 8.6–9.4) and decreased during procedure to 3 (95%CI: 2.5–3.8). The average dose of FPNS for most patients was 100-200 to achieve pain control, except in three patients who required progressive doses of up to 300–400 μg. After receiving 300 μg, one patient dropped out of the study due to severe adverse effects (nausea). Seven patients reported minor undesirable effects related to FPNS administration.Conclusions and implicationsCertain necessary RT procedures in advanced cancer patients can cause severe BP episodes. A simple, safe, fast acting and strong analgesic is needed. FPNS is a rapidly absorbed opioid analgesic with a pain relief profile that would be particularly well suited for this patient population. By reducing BP, the drug enables the completion of necessary RT procedures without needless patient discomfort. When BP is attenuated, Department productivity is maintained and unnecessary delays are avoided. Further studies and clinical trials are needed to assess therapeutic FPNS dosages with a view to defining efficacy in the correct clinical context.

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