Opioid Use in Patients With Cervical Cancer at a Tertiary Academic Medical Center

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pain Management
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Opioids are frequently prescribed for cancer-related pain.
• Limited data exists on opioid utilization patterns in cervical cancer patients.
• Understanding these patterns is crucial for effective pain management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate outpatient opioid use duration in cervical cancer patients.
• To identify predictors associated with prolonged opioid use (≥6 months).
• To analyze opioid prescription trends at a tertiary academic medical center.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 142 cervical cancer patients (August 2019-July 2022).
• Exclusion of patients with unrelated chronic or acute inpatient opioid use.
• Analysis of demographics, disease, treatment, outcomes, and opioid prescription data.
• Statistical analysis including chi-squared, t-tests, and Fisher's exact tests to identify predictors.

Main Results:

• 108 patients (76.1%) received opioid prescriptions.
• Median opioid use duration was 69 days; 37% used opioids for ≥180 days, and 25% for ≥365 days.
• Lower stage and receipt of surgery were linked to shorter opioid use (<6 months).
• No association found between age, race, histology, substance use, mental health, or radiation therapy and prescription length.

Conclusions:

• Approximately 37% of cervical cancer patients experienced opioid use for over six months.
• Higher cancer stage was significantly associated with longer opioid use duration (≥6 months).
• Findings underscore the need for targeted pain management interventions in advanced cervical cancer.