Factors Associated with Neuropathic Pain in Cancer Patients Admitted to a Palliative Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Recognizing factors associated with pain in advanced cancer patients may favor a better multidisciplinary approach. Objective: To identify factors associated with the most prevalent type of pain in cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit. Method: Cohort-study-based cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected from cancer inpatients at the palliative care unit assisted by the physiotherapy service. Sociodemographic, clinical data and pain characteristics were obtained and analyzed according to the most prevalent type of pain at hospital admission. An odds ratio (OR) logistic regression was utilized as a measure of effect at a 95% confidenceinterval (95% CI). Results: A total of 62 patients were assessed, mostly women (69.3%) with less than 60 years old (67.7%), the most frequent tumor sites were gynecological (25.8%) and breast (16.1%). Local disease progression associated with metastasis was observed in 87.1% of all patients, with 50.0% presenting bone metastasis and 37.1%, a bone event. The most prevalent type was moderate tosevere (69.3%) neuropathic pain (51.6%), associated with the presence of a bone event (OR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.01-9.90) and less than 60 years old (OR = 4.08; 95% CI: 1.91 -17.52). Conclusion: Neuropathic pain was the most prevalent pain in cancer patients receiving palliative care associated with the presence of bone events and less than 60 years old.