Patients' Satisfaction with Breakthrough Cancer Pain Therapy: A Secondary Analysis of IOPS-MS Study.

Background

Cancer pain is one of the most important symptoms for patients. Pharmacological control is central for clinical management and to ensure well-being. In cancer patients, the management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) is also crucial. This study aims to identify factors that can predict patients' satisfaction with pain relief for BTcP.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of the IOPS-MS study, a large, observational, multicenter, national study where thirty-two Italian centers were involved to explore BTcP management. Clinical and pathologic features were recorded, as well as the patients' degree of satisfaction with BTcP medications classified as dissatisfied (not or indifferent satisfied) versus satisfied (or very satisfied). Frequency distributions and the chi-squared test of independence were performed. A multivariate model was carried out by selecting significant variables upon univariate analysis using logistic regression.

Results

From the original 4016 patients enrolled, 3840 were available for the study purpose. Seventy-one per cent of patients declared satisfaction with BTcP medications. Young age [odds ratio (OR) 1.29 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.12-1.50)], non-metastatic cancer stage [OR 1.53 (95% CI: 1.22-1.91)], high Karnofsky performance status [OR 1.63 (95% CI:1.33-1.99)], the absence of anticancer treatment [OR 1.42 (95% CI: 1.19-1.69)], the NSAIDs/paracetamol use for background pain [OR 1.56 (95% CI: 1.34-1.82)] and a high BTcP interference in activities of daily living [OR 2.34 (95% CI: 1.81-3.01)] resulted positively correlated with dissatisfaction in the multivariate analyses. Also, the setting of care was related to difference in BTcP therapy satisfaction.

Conclusion

This study proposes several key points to be considered in the pharmacological management of BTcP, useful to ensure patients' satisfaction and optimal quality of life.

Informations de copyright

© 2022 Mazzotta et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

RG received speaker fees and grant consultancies by Takeda, AstraZeneca and Roche. PM received honoraria from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eisai, Incyte, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Pfizer, Roche; Consulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Roche; Research Funding: AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Incyte, Eli Lilly, Merck Serono, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, NanoString Technologies, Pierre Fabre, Pfizer, Roche, Takeda; Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Incyte, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Roche. MM, MF, MP and SM declare no conflicts of interest in this work.