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Are the patients afraid of opioids? Pilot study of the patients with chronic cancer and non-malignant pain
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Abstract
Material and methods. The study involved 28 patients who suffered from chronic cancer or non-cancer pain. The functional status was measured using Karnofsky Performance Scale and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. Each patient was asked to complete a survey consisting of three parts, which determined patients medical characteristics, knowledge of analgesic drugs and the fears of using opioids.
Results. Our study showed that over half of the surveyed patients (53%) had doubts about starting the opioids treatment. They were afraid of taking morphine and the patients who used tramadol feared of changing it into morphine. The most common reason given by the patients was the fear of addiction and death, which were believed to be associated with using opioids. Other reasons included: the fear of side effects and/or unsatisfactory result of pain relief.
Conclusion. Our research suggests that patients are afraid of taking opioids, especially morphine. The results of this pilot study vote for the need of larger survey on patients' attitude to the treatment with opioids for pain management.
Abstract
Material and methods. The study involved 28 patients who suffered from chronic cancer or non-cancer pain. The functional status was measured using Karnofsky Performance Scale and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. Each patient was asked to complete a survey consisting of three parts, which determined patients medical characteristics, knowledge of analgesic drugs and the fears of using opioids.
Results. Our study showed that over half of the surveyed patients (53%) had doubts about starting the opioids treatment. They were afraid of taking morphine and the patients who used tramadol feared of changing it into morphine. The most common reason given by the patients was the fear of addiction and death, which were believed to be associated with using opioids. Other reasons included: the fear of side effects and/or unsatisfactory result of pain relief.
Conclusion. Our research suggests that patients are afraid of taking opioids, especially morphine. The results of this pilot study vote for the need of larger survey on patients' attitude to the treatment with opioids for pain management.
Keywords
chronic pain; opioids; opiophobia
About this articleTitle
Are the patients afraid of opioids? Pilot study of the patients with chronic cancer and non-malignant pain
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Pages
121-124
Published online
2008-02-20
Page views
722
Article views/downloads
1698
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2007;6(4):121-124.
Keywords
chronic pain
opioids
opiophobia
Authors
Marcin Schiller
Anna Pyszora
Michał Graczyk
Anna Gajewska
Małgorzata Krajnik