Korean J Hosp Palliat Care.
2011 Dec;14(4):197-203.
Factors Related to Substantial Pain in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Medicine, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Family Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
- 3Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Statistics, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea. younseon@korea.ac.kr
- 6Department of Family Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- PURPOSE
Pain is the most common and influential symptom in cancer patients. Few studies concerning pain intensity in the terminally ill cancer patients have been done. This study aimed to identify factors related with more than moderate pain.
METHODS
This study used secondary data of 162 terminal cancer inpatients at the palliative ward of six training hospitals in Korea. Physician-assessed pain assessment was by 10 point numeric rating scale. Substantial pain was defined more than moderate intensity by the Korean National Guideline for cancer pain. The Korean version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory was self-administered to assess symptoms. Survival prediction was estimated by the attending physicians at the time of admission.
RESULTS
Less than six weeks of predicted survival and more than numeric rating of six for worst drowsiness in the previous 24 h were significantly related to substantial pain (P=0.012 and P=0.046, respectively). The dose of opioid analgesics was positively related to substantial pain (P=0.004).
CONCLUSION
Factors positively related to substantial pain were less than six weeks of predicted survival and considerable drowsiness. Careful monitoring and active preparation for pain are required in terminal cancer patients having those factors.
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