1.The report on the case of pregabalin has been successful for chronic cough associated with metastatic lung tumor
Miho Kojima ; Hiroaki Watanabe ; Yoshimi Okumura ; Rumiko Muraji ; Akiko Kumon ; Yuko Deguchi ; Shigeki Hirano
Palliative Care Research 2015;10(1):515-518
Purpose:Chronic cough is one of the symptoms that lead to a reduction in the quality of life insomnia, such as the decline in physical strength. For chronic cough due to metastatic lung tumors, and we experienced an example of after use pregabalin, showed a reduction of symptoms. Case:This case is a 75-year-old man. Abdominoperineal rectal amputation was performed in rectal cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been performed, but multiple lung metastases appeared one year after surgery. Chemotherapy was continued, but lung metastases progressed, it became the policy of anti-cancer treatment ended 4 months after 2 years after surgery. Cough worsened since then, it was referred introduced to palliative care department. Because we thought respiratory tract irritation increased by organic disease is the cause, it starts from 50 mg/day pregabalin, it was increased by 25~50 mg while aware of potential side effects, such as drowsiness during the day. Cough relief at 125 mg/day, night sleep wasalso secure and possible. Conclusion:Pregabalin which is effective in neuropathic pain, there is a possibility that the suppression of hyperexcitability of nerve cells that are its pharmacological action, is also effective in chronic cough, it becomes choice of antitussive different mechanisms of action and opioid there is a possibility that may.
2.The Support in Opioid Introduction Period for Outpatients with Cancer by Palliative Care Staffs
Yoshihiro YAMAMOTO ; Hiroaki WATANABE ; Ayako KONDO ; Yuko DEGUCHI ; Shigeki HIRANO ; Aina SAKURAI ; Shoko KUMON ; Rumiko MURAJI ; Megumi MOTIYAMA ; Yoshimi OKUMURA ; Yasuyuki ASAI ; Takuya ODAGIRI
Palliative Care Research 2020;15(4):303-308
Introduction: Our palliative care staff began the support activity in opioid introduction for outpatients with cancer at Komaki City Hospital in March 2018, because it was difficult to make them understand about proper use of opioid analgesics and misinterpretation about abuse at the time of opioid introduction in outpatient settings. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the activity (patient education on pain control, telephone follow up, and assessment of the symptom). Method: Outpatients with cancer receiving strong opioids for pain relief from January 2017 to March 2019 were eligible. We retrospectively investigated the difference of the variables between baseline and after the activity as follows; the ratios of prescribing immediate-release opioids, antiemetics, and laxatives when opioids were prescribed and side effects due to opioid analgesics appeared. Results: The study included 122 patients. The prescribing ratios of immediate-release opioids antiemetics and laxatives all increased from 90.7 to 98.5%, from 63.0 to 70.6%, and from 61.1 to 70.6%, respectively. The side effect incidence due to opioids with STAS-J 2 or more decreased from 12 (22.2%) to 9 (13.2%). Discussion: The activity could contribute to the provision of drug treatments and counselling needed for opioid therapy.