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S Mercadante

Publications and source records attributed to S Mercadante.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Opioid poorly-responsive cancer pain. Part 1: clinical considerations.

Pain that is poorly responsive to opioid analgesics is challenging for physicians who deal with cancer patients. Numerous factors may influence analgesic response during the course of the illness. These include changing nociception associated with disease progression, the appearance of intractable side effects, the development of tolerance, the presence of neuropathic pain, the temporal pattern, the effects produced by the production of opioid metabolites, and many others. These factors influence the delicate balance between pain relief and opioid toxicity that must be achieved in cancer patients with pain.

Disease Progression↗
PubMed2001

Assessing delirium in cancer patients: the Italian versions of the Delirium Rating Scale and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale.

To validate the Italian versions of the Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS), 105 cancer patients consecutively referred for neurological or psychiatric consultation for mental status change were evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), the DRS, the MDAS, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). According to the CAM criteria and clinical examination, 66 patients were delirious, and 39 received diagnoses other than delirium. The DRS and the MDAS scores significantly distinguished delirious from non-delirious patients. The MDAS and the DRS were mutually correlated. When using the proposed cut-off scores for the two scales, the MDAS had higher specificity (94%) but lower sensitivity (68%) than the DRS (sensitivity = 95%, specificity = 61% for DRS cut-off 10; sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 76%, DRS cut-off 12). The MMSE showed high sensitivity (96%) and very low specificity (38%). Exploratory factor analysis of the DRS and the MDAS suggested a three-factor and two-factor structure, respectively. Both instruments in their Italian version proved to be useful for the assessment of delirium among cancer patients. Further research is needed to examine the use of the DRS and the MDAS in other clinical contexts.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Effects of caffeine as an adjuvant to morphine in advanced cancer patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Psychomotor abnormalities are one of the complications of opioid therapy in advanced cancer patients. Caffeine has potential properties to counteract the central effects of morphine. Twelve patients receiving stable doses of slow release morphine with adequate pain relief were scheduled for this double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. The treatment consisted of an intravenous dose of 1/6 of the daily morphine dose, using an intravenous/oral conversion ratio of 1:3. The dose calculated was administered in 5 minutes. Patients were randomly divided to received in a double-blind manner an infusion of 200 mg of caffeine or saline solution intravenously over one hour. A crossover took place after 2-3 days. Patients were assessed immediately before the infusion and once at the end (one hour after). Each assessment included pain, nausea, confusion, and drowsiness intensity. Psychomotor tests, including tapping speed with 10-30 seconds trials, arithmetic tests, memory for digits, and visual memory were also performed. Caffeine infusion induced a significant decrease in pain intensity (from 25.3 to 16.3, p =0.003), but this was no different from the placebo. Caffeine increased both tapping speed tests (p = 0.041 and 0.010, respectively) in comparison with placebo treatment. No other significant differences were found in the other parameters examined. Caffeine showed a partial effect on the cognitive performance of advanced cancer patients on chronic morphine treatment who received a bolus of intravenous morphine. Further studies are necessary to evaluate whether higher doses of caffeine may be more effective and to establish the role of tolerance to caffeine in this group of patients.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed2001

Opioid poorly-responsive cancer pain. Part 3. Clinical strategies to improve opioid responsiveness.

Some pain syndromes may be difficult to treat due to a poor response to opioids. This situation demands a range of alternative measures, including the use of adjuvant drugs with independent effects, such as antidepressants, sodium channel-blocking agents, steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); drugs that reduce opioid side effects; and drugs that enhance analgesia produced by opioids, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, calcium channel antagonists, and clonidine. Other approaches, including opioid trials, neural blockade when necessary, and psychological interventions, also may be useful.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed2001

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer pain.

The role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cancer pain has been well established in the treatment of mild pain and also alone or in association with opioids for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Acutely, NSAIDs may be more than mild analgesics, and may provide additional analgesia when combined with opioids. However, NSAIDs have ceiling effects and there is no therapeutic gain from increasing dosages beyond those recommended. As there is no clearly superior NSAID, the choice should be based on experience and the toxicity profile that probably relates to the COX-1:COX-2 ratio. Among the older drugs, ibuprofen seems to have these properties.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to have an opioid-sparing effect. Although the value of a simple narcotic-sparing effect may be questioned in cancer pain treatment, the use of NSAIDs may be useful when the increase in opioid dosage determine the occurrence of opioid toxicity. Like opioids, NSAIDs should not be considered analgesics for a specific type or cause of pain. There is a lack of evidence for any difference between different routes of NSAIDs administration. The long-term toxicity of NSAIDs in cancer pain is poorly defined due to a lack of studies. A variety of strategies have been used in an attempt to reduce the risks associated with NSAID therapy. Those NSAIDs that are weak COX-1 inhibitors may be preferred. In addition, concomitant administration of misoprostol is recommended in patients at increased risk for upper gastrointestinal complications.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2001

Pharmacotherapy of anaemia in cancer patients.

Anaemia is a common complication of cancer. The incidence is variable and depends on several factors. A linear correlation between haemoglobin levels and quality of life (QOL) parameters has been found. Erythropoiesis is a finely regulated responsive process and erythropoietin (EPO) is the most important factor influencing progenitor cell proliferation. Impaired EPO production is mediated by inflammatory cytokines liberated in cancer patients. For this reason, EPO has been proposed as an alternative to blood transfusions, which involve many hazards. EPO treatment has been found to be effective in preventing anaemia and reducing the need for blood transfusions, although it would be useful to identify high-risk patient subgroups who would benefit most from this expensive treatment.

Anemia↗
PubMed2001

Recent progress in the pharmacotherapy of cancer pain.

Cancer pain can be relatively well managed with primary therapies, according to the WHO ladder. However, different conditions may limit the response to the analgesic drug used, which are mainly oploids. Specifically, adverse effects may prevail against the analgesic activity in the clinical setting. New pharmacological strategies may enable a more satisfactory response to be obtained, in terms of balance between analgesia and adverse effects. The change of route of administration or the use of alternative opioids is a first-line option. The use of adjuvant drugs may also improve analgesia with different mechanisms. Recent studies have demonstrated the value of these alternative approaches. However, most of them require definite confirmation in specific well-designed studies.

Analgesics↗
PubMed2001

Pattern of drug use by advanced cancer patients followed at home.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to document the drugs most commonly prescribed to control symptoms in advanced cancer patients being followed at home. We analyzed data for 128 patients admitted to a home palliative care program from January 1993 to January 1995. All patients were followed at home until death by a team consisting of doctors and nurses, and were given two or three medical examinations a week. The most frequently prescribed drugs were analgesics and drugs commonly used to prevent NSAID-induced gastric toxicity. Slow-release morphine was the analgesic used most often. Most patients received more than four drugs. Younger people received morphine more often than did older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Drug monitoring is a useful audit tool for verifying the quality and quantity of drugs prescribed for advanced cancer patients being followed at home. Pharmacological usage should be reviewed periodically and should reflect evidence-based practice.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Factors influencing the opioid response in advanced cancer patients with pain followed at home: the effects of age and gender.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age and gender on pain characteristics and opioid response in advanced cancer patients followed at home. A perspective study was carried out in a sample of 181 consecutive advanced cancer patients who required opioids in the last 4 weeks before death. Pain intensity and symptoms associated with opioid therapy at weekly intervals for 4 weeks were recorded, as were the previous oncological treatments. Opioid doses increased over time, but remained stable in the last 2 weeks of life, while pain intensity decreased over time despite unchanged use of NSAIDs. A considerable increase in symptom intensity was observed in the last weeks of life, except for nausea and vomiting. Visceral pain was more often reported in women. Male patients more often presented somatic pain mechanisms. Neuropathic pain was associated with higher mean VAS intensity and was equally reported in male and female patients and in the different age groups. Very old patients, who received less chemotherapy, required less opioid doses and reported a lower intensity of some symptoms, while reporting similar pain relief. Dry mouth was more frequent in adults than in very old patients. The identification of specific factors and pain characteristics may be useful in suggesting the likelihood of response in terms of analgesia and opioid-related adverse effects. Age and gender analysis should be included in all cancer pain and symptom control studies, as they may have an influence on cancer pain prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of octreotide and hyoscine butylbromide in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms due to malignant inoperable bowel obstruction.

In advanced cancer patients with inoperable bowel obstruction, the administration of antisecretive and antiemetic drugs has proved to be effective in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms caused by bowel obstruction. However, controlled studies concerning the most effective antisecretive drug are lacking. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to determine whether octreotide or hyoscine butylbromide was the more effective antisecretive drug for use in states of inoperable bowel obstruction. Eighteen patients with inoperable bowel obstruction randomly received octreotide 0.3 mg daily (n = 9) or hyoscine butylbromide (HB) 60 mg daily (n = 9) s.c. The following parameters were measured: episodes of vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, continuous and colicky pain, using a Likert scale corresponding to a numerical value: (none 0, slight 1, moderate 2, severe 3) recorded before starting the treatment (T0) and 24 h (T1), 48 h (T2) and 72 h after (T3), and the mean daily amounts of fluids administered i.v. or s.c. during the period of study. Three patients dropped out of the study because data were incomplete. Octreotide treatment induced a significantly rapid reduction in the number of daily episodes of vomiting and intensity of nausea compared with HB treatment at the different time intervals examined. No relevant changes were found in dry mouth, drowsiness and colicky pain. Lower levels of hydration were associated with nausea regardless of the treatment. At the doses used in this study, octreotide was more effective than HB in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms of bowel obstruction. Further studies are necessary to understand the role of hydration more clearly in such a clinical situation.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

The impact of home palliative care on symptoms in advanced cancer patients.

Physical symptoms, which are highly prevalent in patients with cancer, have a major impact on many aspects of quality of life, and the best possible quality of life is the principal aim of palliative care. Few studies have reported the impact of home care on pain and symptoms among cancer patients living at home. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of home palliative care given by an experienced team on symptoms in advanced cancer patients. A consecutive series of 373 patients who were referred to a home palliative care program in the period 1993-1995 were prospectively evaluated. Patients were enrolled for the presence of different symptoms (pain, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, dysphagia, gastric discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dyspnea, drowsiness, weakness, confusion, psychological symptoms). For the purpose of the study we have selected 211 patients who, according to a retrospective assessment, survived for longer than 3 weeks and who were followed up until their deaths. Pain, nausea and vomiting, gastric discomfort, and diarrhea significantly decreased after palliative intervention. This improvement was maintained until death, whereas, after an initial improvement, dyspnea and constipation tended to increase in intensity in the last days of life. Drowsiness, weakness, and confusion increased in intensity in the last days of patients' lives. Similarly, fluid and food intake significantly decreased during the last days of life. Opioid dosage and frequency of opioid use increased with time, but this change did not reach statistical significance until the last days, when 70% of patients were taking opioids. These figures demonstrate the good impact of palliative care in this group of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Opioid responsiveness-primary diagnosis relationship in advanced cancer patients followed at home.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the primary cancer on pain characteristics and opioid response, in terms of analgesia and adverse effects, in advanced cancer patients followed at home. A prospective study was carried out in a sample of 434 consecutive advanced cancer patients who required opioids during the last four weeks of life. One hundred eighty-one patients received opioids for longer than the four weeks and were considered for this analysis. Demographic data, primary diagnosis, and pain mechanisms were recorded, and mean opioid doses, pain intensity, and symptoms were assessed at weekly intervals during the last four weeks of life. In the group of 181 patients, somatic pain was associated with lung, head and neck, breast, and prostate cancer (p < 0.0005), while visceral pain was associated with colorectal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, and uterine cancer (p < 0.0005). Considering all primary diagnoses, there was a significant increase in the mean opioid dose (p < 0.0005) across the four weekly periods. There was a significant decrease in pain intensity scores (p < 0.0005) in all cases. A significant dose increase was observed only for mesothelioma (p = 0. 027) when compared with other types of cancer. In all 181 cases, a significant worsening in symptom intensity was observed during the last two weeks of life (p < 0.01). This study shows that primary cancer may have an influence on pain characteristics and opioid response. Patients with some kinds of cancer may be at risk of developing severe pain syndromes or more adverse effects.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed2000

The course of symptom frequency and intensity in advanced cancer patients followed at home.

Four hundred consecutive patients who were referred to a home palliative care program were prospectively surveyed to estimate the prevalence and severity of common symptoms according to the changes in the performance status. Patients were admitted for the presence of different symptoms and psychosocial support. Common symptoms included in a standard form were rated for severity (absent 0, mild 1, moderate 2, severe 3) for each visit. Pain intensity was rated on a numerical scale (0-10). For each level of Karnofsky performance score (K), the frequency and the worse symptom intensity were recorded until patient's death. Data from 370 patients were analyzed. Pain was effectively controlled. In the final stage, it was also less frequently observed, despite the use of lower analgesic doses in the last days of life. The peak of opioid consumption and symptom frequency and severity was found at K40. This was also the most frequent K level at admission. Some symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, gastric pyrosis, and diarrhea reached a peak in frequency and severity, then decreased with the advanced stage of the disease. Other symptoms, such as dyspnea, drowsiness, weakness, and confusion tended to further increase and to have a peak at the lowest levels of K. Dysphagia and constipation progressively increased in frequency and intensity, but decreased at the end. These findings clarify the actual frequency and intensity of symptoms in a non-selected home care population with advanced cancer.

Aged↗