Effectiveness of a flow chart of medication for cancer pain treatment with controlled-release oxycodone tablets
10.2512/jspm.3.209
- VernacularTitle:オキシコドン徐放錠を用いたがん性疼痛治療フローチャートの有用性の検討
- Author:
Hiroki Yoshioka
;
Akiko Somekawa
;
Michi Momota
;
Fujiyo Fukuda
;
Hideki Ikari
;
Tadaomi Kunisaki
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
cancer pain treatment;
flow chart;
oxycodone;
titration
- From:Palliative Care Research
2008;3(1):209-215
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Purpose: The effectiveness of a flow chart of medication for cancer pain treatment was investigated. This flow chart was developed at Sasebo Chuo Hospital, and calls for the early introduction of controlled-release oxycodone tablets in combination with prescribing of a rescue dose and agents to prevent adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Method: The flow chart was used with a group of 29 patients (FC group), but not with a group of 35 patients (non-FC group). The rate of titration, which was adjustment of opioid dosage to achieve cancer pain control, and time required to achieve titration were compared between these two groups. Results: The titration rate of the FC group was 93.1% and that of the non-FC group was 80.0%. Medication was changed to another opioid for 4 patients in the non-FC group because of nausea and vomiting. The time required to achieve titration was 3.8±2.2 days in the FC group and 5.3±3.0 days in the non-FC group, and a significant difference was noted (p=0.048). Conclusion: The use of this flow chart with its early introduction of opioid controlled-release oxycodone tablets appears to be effective in achieving cancer pain control at an early stage.
