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Transdermal fentanyl in cancer patients with moderate-to-severe pain: a prospective examination
G Iconomou1, A Viha, A G Vagenakis
1University of Patras Medical School, Department of Medicine-Division of Oncology, University Hospital, Rion 265 00, Greece.
Background:
[corrected] The aim of the study was to evaluate prospectively the analgesic efficacy, toxicity and acceptability of the transdermal fentanyl therapeutic system (TTS-F) in Greek cancer patients with moderate-to-severe pain.
Methods:
Forty-eight patients participated in the study: 34 were men and 14 women, mean age was 63, and all but 2 had advanced stage (IV) cancer. Patients received TTS-F for a period of 8 weeks. Doses ranged from 25 to 225 micrograms/h. Thirty-three patients completed the study.
Results:
Data indicated statistically significant lower pain scores on both NRS and EORTC QLQ-C30 at all follow-ups compared to baseline. In addition, the vast majority of the patients found the transdermal system easy to use and reported as being satisfied or highly satisfied with it. The only observed side-effect was vomiting.
Conclusion:
In summary, transdermal fentanyl appeared an acceptable, safe and effective method of managing chronic pain induced by malignancies.
