Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form Scores Research Articles

A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, double-dummy, parallel-group study to determine the safety and efficacy of oxycodone/naloxone prolonged-release tablets in patients with moderate/severe, chronic cancer pain

Objective: An examination of whether oxycodone/naloxone prolonged-release tablets (OXN PR) can improve constipation and maintain analgesia, compared with oxycodone prolonged-release tablets (OxyPR) in patients with moderate/severe cancer pain. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, double-dummy, parallel-group study in which 185 patients were randomized to receive up to 120 mg/day of OXN PR or OxyPR over 4 weeks. Efficacy assessments included Bowel Function Index (BFI), Brief Pain Inventory Short-Form (BPI-SF), laxative and rescue medication use. Quality of life (QoL) and safety assessments were conducted. Results: After 4 weeks, mean BFI score was significantly lower with OXN PR; mean total laxative intake was 20% lower with OXN PR. Mean BPI-SF scores were similar for both treatments and the average rate of analgesic rescue medication use was low and comparable. QoL assessments were stable and comparable with greater improvements in constipation-specific QoL assessments with OXN PR. Overall, rates of adverse drug reactions were similar. Conclusions: OXN PR provides superior bowel function in cancer pain patients, compared with OxyPR, without compromising analgesic efficacy or safety. This study confirms that OXN PR is well tolerated and efficacious in cancer pain patients and results are in line with those seen in non-malignant pain patients.

Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial of acupuncture for the management of aromatase inhibitor-associated joint symptoms in women with early-stage breast cancer

571 Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have become the standard of care for the treatment of postmenopausal, hormone-sensitive breast cancer (BC). However, patients receiving AIs may experience joint symptoms which can lead to early discontinuation of this effective therapy. We examined whether acupuncture improves AI-induced arthralgias in women with early stage BC. Methods: This study is a randomized, single-blinded trial of true vs sham acupuncture twice weekly for 6 weeks in postmenopuasal women with early stage BC and self-reported musculoskeletal pain related to adjuvant AI therapy. The active intervention included full body/auricular acupuncture and a joint-specific point prescription, whereas the sham arm involved superficial needle insertion at nonacupoint locations. Outcome measures included the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC), and Modified Score for the Assessment and Quantification of Chronic Rheumatoid Affections of the Hands (M-SACRAH) obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Lower scores reflect improvement in symptoms. Results: Of 43 women enrolled, 38 were evaluable at 6 weeks. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. Median age: 57 (37–77); White/Hispanic/Black/Asian: 15/21/1/1; median body mass index (kg/m2): 29 (18–45). True acupuncture was associated with about a 50% decrease in mean BPI-SF scores, whereas no change from baseline was observed for the sham acupuncture group (see table). Similar findings were seen for the WOMAC and M-SACRAH pain, stiffness, and function scores (P<0.05). No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Women with AI-induced arthralgias treated with acupuncture had significant improvement of joint pain and stiffness, which was not seen with sham acupuncture. Acupuncture is an effective and well-tolerated strategy for managing this common treatment-related side effect. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.