Clinical Usefulness of Long-term Application of Fentanyl Matrix in Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: Improvement of Pain and Physical and Emotional Functions

Opioid Prescribing in the Elderly: A Systematic Review

Objective: To characterize the literature describing the therapeutic use of opioids in the elderly. Data Sources: Two electronic databases, EMBASE and MEDLINE, were searched from years 1990 to September 5, 2018. Relevant reference lists were reviewed. Searches were restricted to English language. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently screened 827 citations to identify observational studies, population-based cohort studies, retrospective analyses, and control trials looking at the management of persistent pain in patients aged ≥65 years and/or frail patients. Data Synthesis: Thirty-nine articles were included in the systematic review. More specifically, 17 observational studies, 7 population-based cohort studies, 10 retrospective analyses, and 4 controlled trials. The most common etiology of persistent pain was musculoskeletal (50%), and the most often adverse effects reported were central nervous system related (41%) and falls/fractures (39%). Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: As there is a lack of strong evidence-based recommendations for opioid use in the elderly, this review aims to evaluate opioid use in the elderly and compare their efficacy and safety among this population. Conclusions: Overall, central nervous system adverse effects were most commonly seen in the elderly. However, higher quality evidence is required to further appreciate the dose-related effects on efficacy and safety of opioids in the elderly.

Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Prolonged-Release Oxycodone/Naloxone in Korean Patients with Chronic Pain from Spinal Disorders

Background

A prolonged-release formulation of oxycodone/naloxone has been shown to be effective in European populations for the management of chronic moderate to severe pain. However, no clinical data exist for its use in Korean patients. The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone in Korean patients for management of chronic moderate-to-severe pain.

Methods

In this multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase IV study, Korean adults with moderate-to-severe spinal disorder-related pain that was not satisfactorily controlled with weak opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs received prolonged-release oral oxycodone/naloxone at a starting dose of 10/5 mg/day (maximum 80/40 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Changes in pain intensity and quality of life (QoL) were measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS, 0–10) and the Korean-language EuroQol-five dimensions questionnaire, respectively.

Results

Among 209 patients assessed for efficacy, the mean NRS pain score was reduced by 25.9% between baseline and week 8 of treatment (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant improvement in QoL from baseline to week 8 (p < 0.0001). The incidence of adverse drug reactions was 27.7%, the most common being nausea, constipation, and dizziness; 77.9% of these adverse drug reactions had resolved or were resolving at the end of the study.

Conclusions

Prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone provided significant and clinically relevant reductions in pain intensity and improved QoL in Korean patients with chronic spinal disorders. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01811238)