• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.60-66
• /
• 2000

Background: For terminal cancer pain management, controlled-release oral morphine (morphine sulfate tablet, MST) is a simple and convenient regimen. Recently, fentanyl transdermal therapeutic system (F-TTS, transdermal fentanyl) has been developed and became one of the alternative ways of providing adequate pain relief. This open prospective study was designed to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of MST and transdermal fentanyl in the management of terminal cancer pain. Methods: In this open comparative and randomized study, 64 terminal cancer patients received one treatment for 15 days, controlled-release oral morphine (MST group) or fentanyl transdermal therapeutic system (F-TTS group). Daily diaries about the vital sign, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, opioids requirement, co-anagesics, adjuvant drugs and adverse effects were completed with 24 patients in MST group, 18 patients in F-TTS group. Results: The majority of patients in both treatment groups were late-stage cancer and their distribution was not different in both groups. Daily opioids requirement was 126.4 mg in MST uced in F-TTS group (P<0.05). The incidence of nausea, vomiting and constipation was lower in F-TTS group (P<0.05). Patients satisfaction was similar, but F-TTS patient group favored continous use of same treatment compared with MST group after the study was finished. Conclusions: Transdermal fentanyl seems to be safe and similar analgesic effect to controlled-release oral morphine for the control of the terminal cancer patients. However, transdermal fentanyl provides a simpler and more convenient especially in respect to constipation, nausea & vomiting. To determine the exact analgesic effect, cost-effectiveness and complications, controlled trials should be followed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.2
• /
• pp.140-143
• /
• 2007

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. He refused treatment with a curative aim and was treated conservatively. Pain had developed on his shoulder and chest wall, which became worse as the cancer progressed. Although his pain initially appeared to be relieved with weak opioids and analgesics, it became more severe Strong opioids (transdermal fentanly patch and oxycodone), antidepressant or epidural block were introduced, However, the background pain became more intense and reached up to 8~9/10 on the visual analog scale (VAS). The dose of the transdermal fentanl patch was gradually increased to $600{\mu}g/hr$, which resulted in a dramatic improvement in his pain (9/10 of VAS) to 3/10 for most of the time. We described the successful experience with a high dose transdermal fentanyl patch for cancer pain relief, which might be an alternative option for cancer patients suffering from severe pain.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2023

Background and Objective: With the advancement of cancer treatments and increased life expectancy, managing breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) is essential to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. This study aimed to compare the major rapid onset opioids in Korea based on their characteristics and costs to determine the best option for each patient. Methods: Based on sales information from IQVIA-MIDAS, sublingual fentanyl tablet (SLF), fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT), and oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) were selected as the top three drugs for the treatment of BTcP in Korea, considering them the most comparable drugs. The cost and cost-pain relief ratio of the drugs for short-term (1 month) and long-term (1 year) treatment were compared and the ease of administration based on various factors, including pharmacokinetics, onset of action, and administration procedures were evaluated. Results: SLF was evaluated as the best overall in terms of rapid onset of action, ease of administration, and drug cost and also had the highest market share. SLF had the lowest cost pain relief ratio for both the initial and supplemental treatment for the 1-month pain intensity difference 15 (PID15) ratio. However, for the 1-month PID30 ratio, SLF was not superior to OTFC or FBT. The longer the breakthrough cancer pain duration, the more cost-effective the other rapid onset opioids. Conclusion: The rapid onset opioids that fit the patient's breakthrough cancer pain pattern have the best cost-effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.155-165
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships of pain cognition, performance status, and hope with health-related quality of life. Methods: Patients(n=149) with various cancer diagnoses completed the SF-36 standard Korean Version and the Herth Hope Index. The Perceived Meanings of Cancer Pain Inventory was used to measure the cognition dimension of pain, whereas the Brief Pain Inventory Korean version was used to represent the sensory dimension of pain. Results: The patients in the pain group had significant differences in the three dimensions(loss, threat, spiritual awareness) of pain cognition. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the three dimensions(loss, threat, and spiritual awareness) of pain cognitions and SF-36 dimension, and the positive correlations between challenge dimension and SF-36 dimension. Hope had the positive correlation with SF-36 dimensions. Conclusion: Pain has a negative impact on health-related quality of life, especially on physical health. However, patients who ascribed more positive meaning to their pain, tended to have a higher quality of life. Therefore, nursing intervention to reinforce the positive aspects of pain cognition is to empower patients to create a sense of control and assume an active role in pain management and quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.135-138
• /
• 1995

We experienced two cases of malignancy diagnosed during the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. One case was a lung cancer and the other case was a pancreatic cancer. Generally, herpes zoster frequently occurred in the patients who have immunosupressive disease, diabetes mellitus, malignancy and tuberculosis, etc. It is necessary to rule out malignancy in the patients who have herpes zoster, especially those patients whth severe eruptive cluster, persisting to the therapy or multifocal pain. So, we must carefully observe and follow up the patients to find out malignancy as well as to diminish the pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.89-92
• /
• 1997

Neurolytic splanchnic nerve block is effective for treatment of intractable upper abdominal cancer pain. Conventional approach for splanchnic nerve block is conducted in the prone position to ensure proper orientation and to allow insertion of needles on each side of the vertebral body. However, the prone position has some technical disadvantages as this position is frequently poorly tolerated by a majority of patients with advanced cancer due to severe abdominal pain, ascites and so on. Male patient, 53-year old with transverse colon cancer, carcinomatosis peritonei and $L_1,\;L_2$ vertebral body metastasis, was admitted for treatment of severe right upper quadrant and right iliac crest pain. We performed neurolytic splanchnic nerve block with transdiscal technique in the lateral decubitus position under fluoroscopic guidance, and well noted the usefulness and the advantage of this technique. The benefits of this technique are safe, simple and effective because the lateral position is better tolerated by patients and makes bony landmarks more accessible during fluoroscopy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.236-243
• /
• 2015

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a major side effect of anti-cancer drugs, and our knowledge of its mechanisms is lacking. Several models for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy have been introduced. However, the outcomes of these models differ significantly among laboratories. Our object was to create a model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in rats with cancer. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Mammary rat metastasis tumor (MRMT-1) cells were implanted subcutaneously in rats. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy was induced by injection of cisplatin once a day for four days. The responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli were examined using von Frey filaments, acetone, and radiant heat. Results: Cisplatin (2 mg/kg/day) produced mechanical allodynia, while it did not induce cold allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia. This dose of cisplatin could work successfully against cancer. Body weight loss was not observed in cisplatin-treated rats, nor were other abnormal behaviors noted in the same rats. Conclusions: Repeated injection of intraperitoneal cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathic pain in rats. Thus, this type of rat model has broad applicability in studies related to searching for the mechanism of cisplatin-induced mechanical allodynia and agents for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.61-63
• /
• 2015

Lymphedema of the upper limb after breast cancer surgery is a disease that carries a life-long risk and is difficult to cure once it occurs despite the various treatments which have been developed. Two patients were referred from general surgery department for intractable lymphedema. They were treated with stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs), and the circumferences of the mid-point of their each upper and lower arms were measured on every visit to the pain clinic. A decrease of the circumference in each patient was observed starting after the second injection. A series of blocks were established to maintain a prolonged effect. Both patients were satisfied with less swelling and pain. This case demonstrates the benefits of an SGB for intractable upper limb lymphedema.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.354-366
• /
• 2024

Background: Anesthetic agents are potential modifiable factors that can mitigate chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) development. This study aimed to investigate the association between propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and the occurrence of CPSP following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer resection. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included adult patients with lung cancer who underwent elective VATS between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients were divided based on the maintenance anesthetic used (propofol vs. sevoflurane). The primary outcome was the presence of CPSP, defined as any level of surgical site pain recorded within 3-6 months postoperatively. The authors investigated the association between anesthetic agents and CPSP using propensity score matching with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (sIPTW) to adjust for confounders. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression was used to further adjust for intraoperative opioid use that sIPTW could not account for. The robustness of these associations was evaluated using the E-value. Results: Of the 833 patients analyzed, 461 received propofol and 372 sevoflurane. The overall incidence of CPSP was 43.3%. After sIPTW, the use of TIVA was significantly associated with a lower incidence of CPSP (odds ratio [OR]: 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.99, P = 0.041), and remained significant after adjusting for intraoperative remifentanil equivalent dose (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55-0.96, P = 0.026). The E-values were 1.08 and 1.17, respectively. Conclusions: Propofol-based TIVA is associated with reduced CPSP occurrence in VATS for lung cancer. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the results.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.541-555
• /
• 2002

Objectives: This study is aimed to analyze the trend of research on nutrition, pain and fatigue of cancer patients in Korea, suggest direction for future research of nutrition, pain and fatigue of cancer patients. Methods: 74 studies published from 1991 to 2001 were examined according to the year of publication, types of journal, research design, types of disease, care methods, major concepts, tool and research findings. Results: 1) The number of studies related nutrition, pain and fatigue of cancer patients had increased rapidly since the 1996's(78.4%). 2) 42 nutrition, pain and fatigue of cancer patients studies(56.1%) were done for a thesis for a degree and 32 were nondegree research studies(43.9%). 3) 70 studies(94.7%) were quantitative study, which included in 40 descriptive studies(54.1%), 22 experimental studies (29.75), 5 correlative studies(6.8%), 2 comparative studies(2.7%) and 1 case study(1.4%), and 4 studies(5.3%) were qualitative study, which included in 3 content analysis studies(3.9%) and 1 phenomenological study(1.4%). 4) Researches about cancer more than 2 were the most by 48 studies (66.1%), following leukemia researches were 8 studies(10.8%), breast cancer researches were 7 studies(9.5%), gastric cancer researches were 4 studies(5.4%), pediatric cancer researches were 3 studies(4.1%), uterine cancer researches were 2 studies(2.7%). 5) Researches about chemotherapy were the most by 39 studies(52.6%), following analgesic researches were 14 studies(18.9%), researches that do not present treatment method were 9 studies(12.2%), radiation researches were 7 studies(9.5%). 6) In 22 experimental studies, the effects of 13 types of nursing interventions were tested. Research findings were effective almost but muscle relaxation therapy to decrease nausea and vomiting was no effect. Conclusion: We need more researches about research of nutrition, pain and fatigue of cancer patients, especially need to prove the effect of intervention or program for nutrition, pain and fatigue of cancer patients by experimental research designs and need more qualitative researches to identify indepth the meaning of nutrition, pain and fatigue of cancer patients.