G. Zeppetella et al., Prevalence and characteristics of breakthrough pain in cancer patients admitted to a hospice, J PAIN SYMP, 20(2), 2000, pp. 87-92
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Neurosciences & Behavoir
A prospective survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence and charact
eristics of breakthrough pain in cancer patients admitted to a hospice. Of
414 consecutive admissions, 33 patients were confused ol too unwell to take
part and 136 were pain-free The remaining 245 reported 404 pains (range 1-
5 per patient); of these patients, 218 (89%) had breakthrough pain and iden
tified 361 pains (range 1-5 per patient). Breakthrough pain was classified
as somatic (46%) visceral (30%), neuropathic (10%) or mixed etiology (16%).
Thirty-eight percent of pains were severe or excruciating. The average num
ber of daily breakthrough pain episodes was 7 (range 1-14); 49% occurred su
ddenly. Most (59%) were unpredictable, and 72% lasted less than 30 minutes.
Seventy-five percent of patients were dissatisfied with their pain control
. Breakthrough pain is common among patients admitted to our hospice. It is
frequent, short lasting; often unpredictable and not necessarily related t
o chronic pain making treatment difficult. (C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Comm
ittee, 2000.