Search results for "cancer pain patient"

Opioid escalation in patients with cancer pain: the effect of age.

2006

Elderly people are commonly considered more susceptible to opioid effects. However, no data regarding the need for opioid escalation in patients already receiving opioids for the management of chronic pain are available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences between younger and older patients during the crucial phase of opioid titration. One hundred consecutive patients with cancer pain requiring further opioid dose refinement were recruited for this cohort study. Pain intensity, dose of opioids, number of opioids used (need to switch), routes of administration used, and opioid-related symptoms were measured from admission until dose stabilization. Opioid escalation inde…