Ruey Kuen Hsieh1. 1. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Under-treatment of cancer pain remains a common problem in Taiwan. Prior studies were mainly in hospitalized patients and limited to one or a few centers. This prospective, multicenter, patient-focused survey assessed the prevalence, severity and management of cancer pain in oncology clinic outpatients. Analgesic use and patient satisfaction with analgesic therapy were also evaluated. METHODS: A total of 480 Taiwanese patients receiving outpatient treatment at 15 different outpatient clinics were included in this study. There were 263 males and 217 females with a mean age of 62.13 years. Patients completed a 4-question survey about the presence or absence of pain, pain severity, analgesic therapy, and satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the degree of analgesia. RESULTS: Pain was reported by 257 patients (54%). Severe pain was reported by 35% and moderate pain by 35.4% of patients. Only 149 of the patients who reported pain (58%) were receiving analgesic medication, with a roughly equivalent number of males and females. Most (95 of 149, 64%) reported being satisfied or very satisfied with pain control although this percentage was higher among males than females (68.23% vs 57.8%). Major variation in the results was noted among study centers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey of Taiwanese outpatients with cancer confirm that cancer pain is under-treated in oncology clinics in Taiwan. A major goal of cancer management is to achieve high rates of patient satisfaction and compliance with treatment which maintains or improves quality of life.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Under-treatment of cancer pain remains a common problem in Taiwan. Prior studies were mainly in hospitalized patients and limited to one or a few centers. This prospective, multicenter, patient-focused survey assessed the prevalence, severity and management of cancer pain in oncology clinic outpatients. Analgesic use and patient satisfaction with analgesic therapy were also evaluated. METHODS: A total of 480 Taiwanese patients receiving outpatient treatment at 15 different outpatient clinics were included in this study. There were 263 males and 217 females with a mean age of 62.13 years. Patients completed a 4-question survey about the presence or absence of pain, pain severity, analgesic therapy, and satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the degree of analgesia. RESULTS:Pain was reported by 257 patients (54%). Severe pain was reported by 35% and moderate pain by 35.4% of patients. Only 149 of the patients who reported pain (58%) were receiving analgesic medication, with a roughly equivalent number of males and females. Most (95 of 149, 64%) reported being satisfied or very satisfied with pain control although this percentage was higher among males than females (68.23% vs 57.8%). Major variation in the results was noted among study centers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey of Taiwanese outpatients with cancer confirm that cancer pain is under-treated in oncology clinics in Taiwan. A major goal of cancer management is to achieve high rates of patient satisfaction and compliance with treatment which maintains or improves quality of life.
Authors: Tae-Young Choi; Myeong Soo Lee; Tae-Hun Kim; Christopher Zaslawski; Edzard Ernst Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2012-03-25 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Yong-Chul Kim; Jin Seok Ahn; Maria Minerva P Calimag; Ta Chung Chao; Kok Yuen Ho; Lye Mun Tho; Zhong-Jun Xia; Lois Ward; Hanlim Moon; Abhishek Bhagat Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2015-04-27 Impact factor: 4.452