Stefan Wirz1, Michael Schenk2, Hannes Hofbauer3, Hans-Christian Wartenberg4, Marco Cascella5, Kristin Kieselbach6. 1. Abteilung für Anästhesie, Intensivmedizin, Schmerzmedizin/Palliativmedizin - Zentrum für Schmerzmedizin, Weaningzentrum, CURA Krankenhaus, Betriebsstätte der GFO-Kliniken Bonn, Schülgenstr. 15, 53604, Bad Honnef, Deutschland. stefan.wirz@gfo-kliniken-bonn.de. 2. Zentrum für Integrative Medizin, Franziskus-Krankenhaus Berlin, Budapester Str. 15-19, 10787, Berlin, Deutschland. 3. Sektion Schmerztherapie, Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland. 4. Afdeling Anesthesiologie H1-115, Academisch Medisch Centrum, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, NL-1105 AZ, Amsterdam, Niederlande. 5. Division of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS. Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola 52, 80131, Napoli, Italien. 6. Interdisziplinäres Schmerzzentrum ISZ, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Breisacherstr. 117, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite publicised advice and warnings, there are only scant data on the non-indicated prescription of rapid-onset preparations of fentanyl (ROF) in non-cancer pain (NCP). Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation. OBJECTIVE: Initiated by the Working Group Cancer Pain and supported by the German Pain Society, a random sample survey was conducted to assess the non-indicated use of ROF. METHODS: The survey addressed attendees of pain conferences who were given the option to fill in the questionnaires outside the conference or online. Primary endpoints of the structured questionnaire were quantitative and qualitative items with regard to the prescription of ROF, while secondary endpoints were opioid-induced side effects. RESULTS: Obtaining a response rate of 44% (132/300) and an additional 51 online questionnaires revealed that 165 (90%) respondents had knowledge of non-indicated prescriptions or were involved in these. Of these, 65% were clinicians and 17% worked in an outpatient capacity. In all, 22% were trained pain or palliative physicians. Approximately 1205 patients were assessed indirectly. The main causes for dispensing ROF included NCP entities such as back pain (44%), neuropathic pain (33%), head or facial pain (12%), and dyspnea (5%) in cancer pain or lack of break-through pain or basic medication (44%). Sedation (32%), nausea/vomiting (31%), constipation (16%) and insufficient analgesia (31%) were the mostly commonly reported adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Despite the non-ambiguous indication for ROF, physicians often demonstrate inappropriate prescription behaviour. Iatrogenic misuse of ROF should be minimized. The rates of adverse effects of ROF seems to be in line with other opioids.
BACKGROUND: Despite publicised advice and warnings, there are only scant data on the non-indicated prescription of rapid-onset preparations of fentanyl (ROF) in non-cancer pain (NCP). Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation. OBJECTIVE: Initiated by the Working Group Cancer Pain and supported by the German Pain Society, a random sample survey was conducted to assess the non-indicated use of ROF. METHODS: The survey addressed attendees of pain conferences who were given the option to fill in the questionnaires outside the conference or online. Primary endpoints of the structured questionnaire were quantitative and qualitative items with regard to the prescription of ROF, while secondary endpoints were opioid-induced side effects. RESULTS: Obtaining a response rate of 44% (132/300) and an additional 51 online questionnaires revealed that 165 (90%) respondents had knowledge of non-indicated prescriptions or were involved in these. Of these, 65% were clinicians and 17% worked in an outpatient capacity. In all, 22% were trained pain or palliative physicians. Approximately 1205 patients were assessed indirectly. The main causes for dispensing ROF included NCP entities such as back pain (44%), neuropathic pain (33%), head or facial pain (12%), and dyspnea (5%) in cancer pain or lack of break-through pain or basic medication (44%). Sedation (32%), nausea/vomiting (31%), constipation (16%) and insufficient analgesia (31%) were the mostly commonly reported adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Despite the non-ambiguous indication for ROF, physicians often demonstrate inappropriate prescription behaviour. Iatrogenic misuse of ROF should be minimized. The rates of adverse effects of ROF seems to be in line with other opioids.
Authors: C Richard Chapman; David L Lipschitz; Martin S Angst; Roger Chou; Richard C Denisco; Gary W Donaldson; Perry G Fine; Kathleen M Foley; Rollin M Gallagher; Aaron M Gilson; J David Haddox; Susan D Horn; Charles E Inturrisi; Susan S Jick; Arthur G Lipman; John D Loeser; Meredith Noble; Linda Porter; Michael C Rowbotham; Karen M Schoelles; Dennis C Turk; Ernest Volinn; Michael R Von Korff; Lynn R Webster; Constance M Weisner Journal: J Pain Date: 2010-04-28 Impact factor: 5.820