RESUMEN
CONTEXT: Oxycodone and morphine are recommended as first-choice opioids for moderate/severe cancer pain, but evidence about their relative tolerability has significant methodological limitations. OBJECTIVES: This study was mainly aimed at comparing the risk of developing adverse events (AEs) with controlled-release oral morphine vs. oxycodone; secondary aims were comparing their analgesic efficacy and testing heterogeneity in tolerability across different age and renal function subgroups. METHODS: An open-label multicenter RCT (EudraCT number: 2006-003151-21) was carried out in patients with moderate/severe cancer pain. At baseline, 7 and 14 days, patients scored on 0-10 rating scales (0-10 numerical rating scale) the intensity of pain and of a list of common opioid side effects. The primary end point was the percentage of patients reporting an AE (a worsening ≥ 2 points on any of the listed side effects); tolerability by subgroups and average follow-up pain intensity were compared through regression models. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-seven patients were enrolled (47% of originally planned). Intention to treat (ITT) analysis (N = 185, morphine 94, oxycodone 91) did not show any difference in the risk of developing AEs (risk difference -0.6%, 95% CI -11.0% to 9.9%) nor in analgesia (0-10 numerical rating scale pain intensity difference -0.28, 95% CI -0.83 to 0.27). No evidence of heterogeneity of tolerability across age and renal function patient subgroups emerged. CONCLUSION: This trial failed to show any difference in tolerability and analgesic efficacy of morphine and oxycodone as first-line treatment for moderate/severe cancer pain but results interpretation is difficult due to lack of power, potential bias from open-label design, and concerns about assay sensitivity. These data, however, can significantly contribute to future meta-analyses comparing WHO Step-III opioids and are relevant in designing future randomized studies.
Asunto(s)
Analgésicos Opioides/administración & dosificación , Dolor en Cáncer/tratamiento farmacológico , Morfina/administración & dosificación , Oxicodona/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Anciano , Analgésicos Opioides/efectos adversos , Preparaciones de Acción Retardada , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Morfina/efectos adversos , Oxicodona/efectos adversos , Dimensión del Dolor , Cuidados Paliativos , Riesgo , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: This study reports our experience with CT-guided block in the superior hypogastric plexus, using a single needle and anterior approach, in patients with pelvic cancer. METHOD: Ten patients with pelvic malignancy underwent CT-guided hypogastric neurolytic block with alcohol via an anterior approach. A solution of 10, 15, or 20 ml of alcohol, 4 ml of bupivacaine HCl, and 2 ml of contrast medium was injected. The results were evaluated based on pain relief, using a four-grade analogue scale. RESULTS: CT images always showed spread of solution around the iliac vessels. Pain relief was complete in four cases, moderate in two, mild in three, and none in one. Best results were observed with the largest amounts of alcohol. CONCLUSION: CT-guided percutaneous superior hypogastric block is a safe, relatively easy, and effective procedure in patients with severe pain from pelvic malignancies.