Anzeige
Erschienen in:
01.07.2008 | Original Research Article
Oxycodone Controlled-Release as First-Choice Therapy for Moderate-to-Severe Cancer Pain in Italian Patients
Results of an Open-Label, Multicentre, Observational Study
Erschienen in: Clinical Drug Investigation | Ausgabe 7/2008
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhaltenAbstract
Background and objectives:
Cancer pain affects patients at all stages of the disease and there are clear guidelines for its management. Morphine is considered the first-choice strong opioid in the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain; however, numerous studies have shown that oxycodone controlled-release (CR) has a similar efficacy and safety profile. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oxycodone CR as a first-line strong opioid for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain in Italian cancer patients.
Methods:
This was a prospective, open-label, multicentre, observational trial carried out at 15 locations across Italy. Patients with a referral for cancer-related pain of ≥5 on a 10-point numerical rating scale were enrolled. Patients were treated with oral oxycodone CR and monitored for 21 days. Dosage was individualized for each patient and up-titrated until effective pain control was achieved. Pain, adverse events and quality-of-life scores were assessed throughout the study.
Results:
390 patients (174 females and 216 males) with a mean age of 66 ± 11 years were evaluated. The average daily dose ranged from 22.84 on day 1 to 40 mg/day on day 21. Pain intensity (assessed on a 10-point numerical rating scale) decreased significantly within 1 day of treatment commencement (p = 0.00001) and continued to decrease throughout the study period (from a mean 7.22 at baseline to a mean 2.11 points on day 21). Adverse events were mild to moderate in intensity and consisted of common opioid-related events. Ten patients (2.6%) discontinued the study because of adverse events and four (1 %) because of uncontrolled pain. All aspects of activities of daily life assessed were improved by study end.
Conclusions:
Oxycodone CR is efficacious and well tolerated as a first-line strong opioid for the treatment of moderate-to-severe cancer-related pain in Italian patients.