Daniel Arbaiza1, Oscar Vidal. 1. Service of Neuro-Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Lima, Peru. darbaiza@inen.sld.pe
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, safety and impact on quality of life of tramadol in the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer. METHODS:Patients with similar characteristics were grouped in pairs and randomised to receive either tramadol or placebo. The initial tramadol dosage was 1 mg/kg every 6 hours, increasing to 1.5 mg/kg every 6 hours if necessary to control pain. RESULTS: The study enrolled 36 patients (22 women, 14 men), with a mean age of 50 years. In the group receiving tramadol (n = 18), major improvements in pain intensity and Karnofsky scores occurred (p < 0.001), sleep quality improved by day 45 (p < 0.05) activities of daily living improved (p < 0.05), and use of analgesics that had been taken before the study was reduced (p < 0.05) compared with the placebo group. There was no difference between the groups with regard to changes in the Zung Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory scores and neurophysiological assessments. More patients in the tramadol group experienced adverse events (p < 0.05). The most common adverse events were nausea, vomiting and constipation. CONCLUSIONS:Tramadol is a therapeutic option for the control of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer, and appears to improve quality of life in these patients. The analgesic effect of tramadol is independent of changes in anxiety, depression and nervous system function.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, safety and impact on quality of life of tramadol in the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer. METHODS:Patients with similar characteristics were grouped in pairs and randomised to receive either tramadol or placebo. The initial tramadol dosage was 1 mg/kg every 6 hours, increasing to 1.5 mg/kg every 6 hours if necessary to control pain. RESULTS: The study enrolled 36 patients (22 women, 14 men), with a mean age of 50 years. In the group receiving tramadol (n = 18), major improvements in pain intensity and Karnofsky scores occurred (p < 0.001), sleep quality improved by day 45 (p < 0.05) activities of daily living improved (p < 0.05), and use of analgesics that had been taken before the study was reduced (p < 0.05) compared with the placebo group. There was no difference between the groups with regard to changes in the Zung Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory scores and neurophysiological assessments. More patients in the tramadol group experienced adverse events (p < 0.05). The most common adverse events were nausea, vomiting and constipation. CONCLUSIONS:Tramadol is a therapeutic option for the control of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer, and appears to improve quality of life in these patients. The analgesic effect of tramadol is independent of changes in anxiety, depression and nervous system function.
Authors: T J Cicero; E H Adams; A Geller; J A Inciardi; A Muñoz; S H Schnoll; E C Senay; G E Woody Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 1999-11-01 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Y Harati; C Gooch; M Swenson; S Edelman; D Greene; P Raskin; P Donofrio; D Cornblath; R Sachdeo; C O Siu; M Kamin Journal: Neurology Date: 1998-06 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Rudolf Martin Duehmke; Sheena Derry; Philip J Wiffen; Rae F Bell; Dominic Aldington; R Andrew Moore Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2017-06-15
Authors: Daniel Bates; B Carsten Schultheis; Michael C Hanes; Suneil M Jolly; Krishnan V Chakravarthy; Timothy R Deer; Robert M Levy; Corey W Hunter Journal: Pain Med Date: 2019-06-01 Impact factor: 3.750