Pain Control in Taiwanese Patients with Cancer: A Multicenter, Patient-Oriented Survey

Ruey Kuen Hsieh

《Journal of the Formosan Medical Association》 104卷12期 (2005/12) Pp. 913-919

https://doi.org/10.29828/JFMA.200512.0005

並列摘要

Background and Purpose: Under-treatment of cancer pain remains a common problem in Taiwan. Prior studies were mainly in hospitalized patients and limited to one or a few centers. This prospective, multicenter, patient-focused survey assessed the prevalence, severity and management of cancer pain in oncology clinic outpatients. Analgesic use and patient satisfaction with analgesic therapy were also evaluated.
Methods: A total of 480 Taiwanese patients receiving outpatient treatment at 15 different outpatient clinics were included in this study. There were 263 males and 217 females with a mean age of 62.13 years. Patients completed a 4-question survey about the presence or absence of pain, pain severity, analgesic therapy, and satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the degree of analgesia.
Results: Pain was reported by 257 patients (54%). Severe pain was reported by 35% and moderate pain by 35.4% of patients. Only 149 of the patients who reported pain (58%) were receiving analgesic medication, with a roughly equivalent number of males and females. Most (95 of 149, 64%) reported being satisfied or very satisfied with pain control although this percentage was higher among males than females (68.23% vs 57.8%). Major variation in the results was noted among study centers.
Conclusions: The results of this survey of Taiwanese outpatients with cancer confirm that cancer pain is under-treated in oncology clinics in Taiwan. A major goal of cancer management is to achieve high rates of patient satisfaction and compliance with treatment which maintains or improves quality of life.

並列關鍵字

Analgesia ； Analgesics, opioid ； Neoplasms ； Pain management ； Taiwan