The use of opioid analgesics in chronic pain therapy — a retrospective, single-center study

Abstract

Introduction: The use of opioids is fundamental in moderate and severe pain management. There is an increase in opioids use in highly developed countries, while at the same time in other countries, difficulties in access to appropriate pain treatment are observed. The aim of the study was to determine the use of opioids in the treatment of chronic cancer-related and non-cancer pain. Material and methods: The study covered the medical documentation of patients under the care of the Pain Medicine Clinic, Palliative Medicine Clinic and Hospice in the period 01.01.2017–30.04.2017 which reported: sex, age, duration of medical services, primary diagnosis, opioid treatment — pharmacological substances, a form of supply and side effects. Results: In the study, 634 medical consultations of 196 patients were analyzed and 32 (16%) of them were cancer patients. The predominant cause of pain were degenerative diseases, disorders of the spinal nerves and nerve plexuses. Oxycodone was most often used as a monotherapy for cancer and non-cancer pain. Transdermal buprenorphine was significantly more frequently used in non-cancer pain and transdermal fentanyl was more frequently administered in cancer-related pain. In the group of cancer patients, the principles of multi–modal therapy were more often applied and no adverse effects were noted. Conclusions: Opioids are the primary method in pharmacotherapy at the specialist level. Oxycodone is widely used in monotherapy of cancer-related and non-cancer pain. Various forms of the supply of opioids in the therapy of chronic cancer pain is not associated with the risk of side effects. Palliat Med Pract 2019; 13, 1: 11–16