Vol 11, No 2 (2012)
Original articles
Published online: 2013-03-15
Diagnosis and treatment of cancer breakthrough pain in opinions of physicians working in Outpatients’ Palliative Care Units and Pain Clinics
Marcin Janecki, Joanna Janecki, Jadwiga Pyszkowska
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2012;11(2):43-47.
Vol 11, No 2 (2012)
Original articles
Published online: 2013-03-15
Abstract
Breakthrough pain (BtP) is common among patients suffering from cancer pain. The experience, knowledge
and education of palliative care physicians or pain management specialists seem to be essential for proper
diagnosis and treatment of breakthrough pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the scope and
assess the knowledge of physicians regarding BtP and its management. 135 physicians have participated in
the study and completed special questionnaires for the period from April to July 2010. The vast majority of
surveyed physicians (133 out of 135) declared that they diagnosed the BtP in their patients, usually 2 to 3
episodes a day. The time for the pain to become maximal, in the opinion of 73% of physicians, was usually
between 5 to 30 minutes, the average duration of the breakthrough pain episode approximately was 15–
–30 minutes. The vast majority of respondents prescribed pharmacological treatment to manage the BtP
episodes, most commonly morphine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen and tramadol.
Abstract
Breakthrough pain (BtP) is common among patients suffering from cancer pain. The experience, knowledge
and education of palliative care physicians or pain management specialists seem to be essential for proper
diagnosis and treatment of breakthrough pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the scope and
assess the knowledge of physicians regarding BtP and its management. 135 physicians have participated in
the study and completed special questionnaires for the period from April to July 2010. The vast majority of
surveyed physicians (133 out of 135) declared that they diagnosed the BtP in their patients, usually 2 to 3
episodes a day. The time for the pain to become maximal, in the opinion of 73% of physicians, was usually
between 5 to 30 minutes, the average duration of the breakthrough pain episode approximately was 15–
–30 minutes. The vast majority of respondents prescribed pharmacological treatment to manage the BtP
episodes, most commonly morphine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen and tramadol.
Keywords
breakthrough pain; cancer pain; palliative care outpatient; pain clinic
Title
Diagnosis and treatment of cancer breakthrough pain in opinions of physicians working in Outpatients’ Palliative Care Units and Pain Clinics
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Vol 11, No 2 (2012)
Pages
43-47
Published online
2013-03-15
Page views
689
Article views/downloads
1496
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2012;11(2):43-47.
Keywords
breakthrough pain
cancer pain
palliative care outpatient
pain clinic
Authors
Marcin Janecki
Joanna Janecki
Jadwiga Pyszkowska