Prospective, observational study of pain and analgesic prescribing in medical oncology outpatients with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Pain is prevalent among patients with cancer, yet pain management patterns in outpatient oncology are poorly understood.

Patients and methods

A total of 3,123 ambulatory patients with invasive cancer of the breast, prostate, colon/rectum, or lung were enrolled onto this prospective study regardless of phase of care or stage of disease. At initial assessment and 4 to 5 weeks later, patients completed a 25-item measure of pain, functional interference, and other symptoms. Providers recorded analgesic prescribing. The pain management index was calculated to assess treatment adequacy.

Results

Of the 3,023 patients we identified to be at risk for pain, 2,026 (67%) reported having pain or requiring analgesics at initial assessment; of these 2,026 patients, 670 (33%)

SUBMITTER: Fisch MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3383175 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature