Attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding different modalities used to manage acute postoperative pain

Cancer pain: an age-based analysis

OBJECTIVE

Although cancer pain (consistent and breakthrough pain [BTP; pain flares interrupting well-controlled baseline pain]) is common among cancer patients, its characteristics, etiology, and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) across the lifespan are poorly understood.

DESIGN

This longitudinal study examines age-based differences and pain-related interference in young and old patients with cancer-related pain over 6 months. Patients in the community with stage III or IV breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer, or stage II-IV multiple myeloma with BTP completed surveys (upon initial assessment, 3 and 6 months) assessing consistent pain, BTP, depressed affect, active coping ability, and HRQOL using previously validated measures.

RESULTS

Respondents (N= 96) were 70% white and 66% female, with a mean age of 57±10 years. There were no significant differences in pain severity based upon age. However, the younger group experienced more pain flares with greater frequency (P=0.05). The oldest group had better emotional functioning at baseline but worse physical functioning at 6 months. Younger groups also had worse cognitive functioning at 6 months (P=0.03). Pain interference was independent of age.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide evidence for the significant toll of cancer pain on overall health and well-being of young and old adults alike but demonstrate an increased toll for younger adults (especially financially). Beyond race and gender disparities, further health care disparities in the cancer and cancer pain were identified by age, illustrating the need for additional research across the lifespan in diverse cancer survivors.

Effect of relaxation exercises on controlling postoperative pain

This study examines the effect of relaxation exercises on controlling postoperative pain in patients who have undergone upper abdominal surgery. This is a cross-sectional and crossover study conducted on 60 patients who underwent upper abdominal surgery between October 2006 and June 2007, in the General Surgery Department, Health and Research Practice Center, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. We assessed the patients' pain levels before and after the relaxation exercises. Patients' personal information forms were used to collect data, and pain levels were determined using the verbal pain scale. We used the Wilcoxon T test, nonparametric Spearman correlation analysis, and nominal by interval eta analysis to assess the data, percentage, and frequency analyses. Pain levels were found to be reduced after the relaxation exercises compared with the levels before the relaxation exercises (z = -5.497; p < .001). Relaxation exercises, a nonpharmacologic method, are effective in reducing postoperative pain and should therefore be included in a regimen to control postoperative pain in patients who have undergone upper abdominal surgery.

Consistent and breakthrough pain in diverse advanced cancer patients: a longitudinal examination

Although cancer pain, both consistent and breakthrough pain ([BTP]; pain flares interrupting well-controlled baseline pain), is common among cancer patients, its prevalence, characteristics, etiology, and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are poorly understood. This longitudinal study examined the experience and treatment of cancer-related pain over six months, including an evaluation of ethnic differences. Patients with Stage III or IV breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer, or Stage II-IV multiple myeloma with BTP completed surveys on initial assessment and at three and six months. Each survey assessed consistent pain, BTP, depressed affect, active coping ability, and HRQOL. Among the respondents (n=96), 70% were white, 66% were female, and had a mean age of 56+/-10 years. Nonwhites reported significantly greater severity for consistent pain at its worst (P = 0.009), least (P < or = 0.001), on average (P = 0.004), and upon initial assessment (P = 0.04), and greater severity for BTP at its worst (P = 0.03), least (P = 0.02), and at initial assessment (P = 0.008). Women also had higher levels of some BTP measures. Ethnic disparities persisted when data estimation techniques were used. Examined longitudinally, consistent pain on average and several BTP measures reduced over time, although not greatly, indicating the persistence of pain in the cancer experience. These data provide evidence for the significant toll of cancer pain, while demonstrating further health care disparities in the cancer pain experience.

Differences in Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Patients Prescribed Patient-Controlled Analgesia Versus Intramuscular Injection

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in opioid consumption in patients prescribed patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) versus intramuscular injection (IMI) in the early postoperative period after open abdominal surgery. A retrospective audit of 115 patients elicited demographic and clinical data. No significant differences were found between the demographic variables of the PCA and IMI groups. There was a significant difference in the mean opioid dose used during the first 3 postoperative days (p < .01). Mean opioid consumption was 136.89 mg for the PCA group and 50.79 mg for the IMI group. Although there was a reduction in the amount of opioid consumed over the first 3 postoperative days, the PCA group consistently consumed more opioid analgesia compared with the IMI group. Furthermore, there was a disproportionate reduction in opioid consumption between the two groups from Day 1 (r = .34; p < .01) to Day 3 (r = .14; p = .14). This study shows that the amount of analgesia consumed during the postoperative period by patients who had abdominal surgery varied markedly depending on the mode of analgesia (PCA or IMI). The difference in analgesic consumption was also found to increase throughout the 3-day postoperative period. This divergence in the amount of opioid consumption between patients who were prescribed PCA and patients who were prescribed IM analgesia heightens the need for vigilance in assessment and management of pain during the early postoperative period, particularly in patients prescribed IM analgesia on an "as-needed" basis.