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Evaluation of the effectiveness of oral transmucosal fentanyl in the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients
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Abstract
Materials and methods. 26 adult patients of Hospice of Białystok with persistent cancer pain were recruited into this study. Patients received transdermal fentanyl for persistent pain and oral morphine or transmucosal fentanyl for breakthrough pain. Chronic and breakthrough pain intensity, time to pain relief and patients’ satisfaction scores were recorded.
Results. The median of chronic pain intensity was 2.1 and median of breakthrough pain was 6 according to visual analogue scale (VAS). There was no difference between oral morphine and submucosal fentanyl in pain relief, but time to pain relief was significantly shorter in case of fentanyl. Plasma fentanyl concentrations ranged between 0.39 and 1.86 ng/ml and did not increase after transmucosal administration of fentanyl.
Conclusions. Transmucosal fentanyl appears effective in the management of breakthrough pain. Cancer patients found this therapy acceptable.
Abstract
Materials and methods. 26 adult patients of Hospice of Białystok with persistent cancer pain were recruited into this study. Patients received transdermal fentanyl for persistent pain and oral morphine or transmucosal fentanyl for breakthrough pain. Chronic and breakthrough pain intensity, time to pain relief and patients’ satisfaction scores were recorded.
Results. The median of chronic pain intensity was 2.1 and median of breakthrough pain was 6 according to visual analogue scale (VAS). There was no difference between oral morphine and submucosal fentanyl in pain relief, but time to pain relief was significantly shorter in case of fentanyl. Plasma fentanyl concentrations ranged between 0.39 and 1.86 ng/ml and did not increase after transmucosal administration of fentanyl.
Conclusions. Transmucosal fentanyl appears effective in the management of breakthrough pain. Cancer patients found this therapy acceptable.
Keywords
fentanyl; breakthrough pain
About this articleTitle
Evaluation of the effectiveness of oral transmucosal fentanyl in the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Vol 3, No 1 (2004): Polish Palliative Medicine
Pages
3-8
Published online
2003-10-27
Page views
511
Article views/downloads
3295
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2004;3(1):3-8.
Keywords
fentanyl
breakthrough pain
Authors
Monika Rucińska
Piotr Jakubów
Dariusz Kożuchowski
Jakub Jabłoński
Jan J. Braszko
Marek Z. Wojtukiewicz