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Does Tramadol Have a Role in Pain Control in Palliative Care?
José António Ferraz Gonçalves1, Paula Silva2, Patrícia Araújo3
1Palliative Care, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal ferrazg@ipoporto.min-saude.pt.
Background:
The effectiveness of the step II of the World Health Organization analgesic ladder including tramadol has been questioned recently.
Methods:
Retrospective study of patients treated with tramadol admitted as inpatients to one palliative care unit between November 1, 2009, and October 30, 2012.
Results:
In the study period, 730 patients were admitted and 66 (9%) of them met the criteria for inclusion; 45 (68%) continued medication with tramadol until discharge from the unit, while 21 (32%) had to switch to an opioid for moderate to severe pain. The reason for switching was uncontrolled pain in 16 (76%) patients, and for 5 (24%) patients, the switch was made for other reasons.
Conclusion:
The data suggest that tramadol may have a role to play in the treatment of pain in palliative care.
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