Family perspectives on chemical coping in advanced cancer: influence on opioid-use concerns

In cancer pain management, families often have concerns and information needs regarding opioids. The experiences that contribute to these concerns and a higher demand for accurate information remain to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the percentage of families caring for cancer patients using opioids for symptoms other than pain (OP group), and how concerns and information needs regarding opioids vary between the OP group and families caring for patients using opioids for pain only (PO group).

A multicenter cross-sectional self-report questionnaire study for 3036 bereaved families at Japanese specialized palliative care units in 2018.

Of 1910 responses, 1641 responses were analyzed. We identified 1169 families of patients using opioids consisting of an OP group (n = 397, 34.0%), PO group (n = 450, 38.5%), and unknown and no response (n = 322, 27.5%). Multivariate logistics analysis indicated that the OP group had greater concerns about overusing (P < 0.0001); misconceptions about pain medication, such as the possibility of becoming addicted (P < 0.0001); and greater needs for information about opioids, such as the difference between opioids and illegal narcotics (P = 0.013), causal relationship between opioids and addiction (P < 0.0001), and the propriety of using opioids for symptoms other than pain (P < 0.0001).

Approximately one-third of families observed that their patients used opioids for symptoms other than pain, leading to heightened concerns and increased information needs regarding opioids. To provide effective care, explaining opioids in a manner that reflects families' experiences may be essential.