Abstract The prevalence of pain is high in the elderly and
increases with the occurrence of cancer. Pain treatment is
challenging because of age-related factors such as co-morbidities,
and over half of the patients with cancer pain
experience transient exacerbation of pain that is known as
breakthrough pain (BTP). As with background pain, BTP
should be properly assessed before being treated. The first
step to be taken is optimizing around-the-clock analgesia
with expert titration of the painkiller. Rescue medication
should then be provided as per the requested need, while at
the same time preventing identified potential precipitating
factors. In the elderly, starting treatment with a lower dose of
analgesics may be justified because of age-related physiological
changes such as decreased hepatic and renal function.
Whenever possible, oral medication should be provided
prior to a painful maneuver. In the case of unpredictable
BTP, immediate rescue medication is mandatory and the
subcutaneous route is preferred unless patient-controlled
analgesia via continuous drug infusion is available.
Recently, transmucosal preparations have appeared in the
medical armamentarium but it is not yet known whether they
represent a truly efficient alternative, although their rapid
onset of activity is already well recognized. Adjuvant analgesics,
topical analgesics, anesthetic techniques and interventional
techniques are all valid methods to help in the
difficult management of pain and BTP in elderly patients
with cancer. However, none has reached a satisfying scientific
level of evidence as to nowadays make the development
of undisputed best practice guidelines possible. Further
research is therefore on the agenda.
Abstract The prevalence of pain is high in the elderly andincreases with the occurrence of cancer. Pain treatment ischallenging because of age-related factors such as co-morbidities,and over half of the patients with cancer painexperience transient exacerbation of pain that is known asbreakthrough pain (BTP). As with background pain, BTPshould be properly assessed before being treated. The firststep to be taken is optimizing around-the-clock analgesiawith expert titration of the painkiller. Rescue medicationshould then be provided as per the requested need, while atthe same time preventing identified potential precipitatingfactors. In the elderly, starting treatment with a lower dose ofanalgesics may be justified because of age-related physiologicalchanges such as decreased hepatic and renal function.Whenever possible, oral medication should be providedprior to a painful maneuver. In the case of unpredictableBTP, immediate rescue medication is mandatory and thesubcutaneous route is preferred unless patient-controlledanalgesia via continuous drug infusion is available.Recently, transmucosal preparations have appeared in themedical armamentarium but it is not yet known whether theyrepresent a truly efficient alternative, although their rapidonset of activity is already well recognized. Adjuvant analgesics,topical analgesics, anesthetic techniques and interventionaltechniques are all valid methods to help in thedifficult management of pain and BTP in elderly patientswith cancer. However, none has reached a satisfying scientificlevel of evidence as to nowadays make the developmentof undisputed best practice guidelines possible. Furtherresearch is therefore on the agenda.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
