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Pain management.
Mario De Pinto1, Peter J Dunbar, W Thomas Edwards
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington Harborview Medical Center, Box 356540, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. mdepinto@u.washington.edu
Anesthesiology Clinics
|February 21, 2006
Summary
This article discusses managing moderate to severe end-of-life pain using strong opioids, adjuvant analgesics, and interventional pain management techniques, often informed by cancer patient studies.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Pain Management
- Oncology
Background:
- End-of-life pain is a significant challenge impacting patient quality of life.
- Effective pain management is crucial for terminally ill patients, though not always cancer-related.
- Cancer patient studies often serve as a model for understanding and treating end-of-life pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide comprehensive information on managing moderate to severe pain in end-of-life patients.
- To discuss the role of strong opioids and adjuvant analgesics in palliative pain control.
- To highlight frequently used interventional pain management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature focusing on pain management in terminally ill patients.
- Discussion of pharmacological interventions, including opioids and adjuvants.
- Exploration of interventional pain management techniques.
Main Results:
- Strong opioids are a cornerstone for managing severe end-of-life pain.
- Adjuvant analgesics can enhance pain relief and manage specific pain types.
- Interventional techniques offer additional options for refractory pain.
Conclusions:
- A multimodal approach combining pharmacotherapy and interventions is key for effective end-of-life pain management.
- Understanding pain mechanisms, often informed by cancer models, is vital.
- Optimizing pain control improves patient comfort and quality of life during the end of life.