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Opioid-Induced Constipation among a Convenience Sample of Patients with Cancer Pain.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Little is known regarding the burden of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) among patients who suffer from cancer-related pain. METHODS:A prospective longitudinal study was conducted among cancer patients in the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Germany, which included medical record data abstraction, Internet-based patient surveys, and physician surveys. Patients on daily opioid therapy (?30?mg for ?4?weeks) for treatment of cancer pain with self-reported OIC were recruited. Response to laxatives was defined by classifying participants into categories of laxative use and evaluating the prevalence of inadequate response. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate outcomes, including the patient assessment of constipation-symptom (PAC-SYM), patient assessment of constipation-quality of life, EuroQOL-5 dimensions, and global assessment of treatment benefit, satisfaction, and willingness to continue. RESULTS:Recruitment was difficult for this study with only 31 participants completing the baseline survey and meeting criteria for opioid use and OIC (26 UK, 1 Canada, and 4 Germany). Fifty-two percent (n?=?16) of participants were male, and all were White. Breast (23%, n?=?7), pancreatic (13%, n?=?4), and multiple myeloma (13%, n?=?4) were the most common cancers. Mean duration of chronic pain and opioid use were 2.3 and 1.3?years, respectively. Participants reported having a mean of 4.4 bowel movements/week in the 2?weeks prior to baseline, of which a mean of 0.9 were spontaneous. Most participants (90%, n?=?28) were using at least 1 lifestyle approach to manage their constipation; 65% (n?=?20) were taking ?1 over-the-counter laxative; 19% (n?=?6) were taking ?1 prescription laxative; 23% (n?=?7) reported no laxative use in the prior 2?weeks. Moderate-to-severe constipation symptoms on the PAC-SYM were common, and mean scores on health-related quality of life outcomes were comparable to chronic pain populations. CONCLUSION:In this primarily UK sample, there appears to be considerable unmet OIC treatment needs among cancer patients.

SUBMITTER: Coyne KS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4896913 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Opioid-Induced Constipation among a Convenience Sample of Patients with Cancer Pain.

Coyne Karin S KS Sexton Chris C LoCasale Robert J RJ King Frederic R FR Margolis Mary Kay MK Ahmedzai Sam H SH

Frontiers in oncology 20160608

<h4>Background</h4>Little is known regarding the burden of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) among patients who suffer from cancer-related pain.<h4>Methods</h4>A prospective longitudinal study was conducted among cancer patients in the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Germany, which included medical record data abstraction, Internet-based patient surveys, and physician surveys. Patients on daily opioid therapy (≥30 mg for ≥4 weeks) for treatment of cancer pain with self-reported OIC were recruit ...[more]

PMID: 27376025

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Project description:ObjectiveTo evaluate the opioid-induced constipation burden in the subgroup of patients with lung cancer who participated in the observational Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients with Cancer Pain in Japan (OIC-J) study.MethodsThe prospective, observational study, OIC-J, included 212 patients with various tumour types, 33% of whom had lung cancer. The incidence of opioid-induced constipation was evaluated using several diagnostic criteria, as well as the physician's diagnosis and patient's subjective assessment. Following initiation of opioids, patients recorded details of bowel movements (i.e. date/time, Bristol Stool Scale form, sensations of incomplete evacuation or anorectal obstruction/blockage and degree of straining) in a diary for 2 weeks. Relationships between patient characteristics and opioid-induced constipation onset and effects of opioid-induced constipation on quality of life were explored.ResultsIn total, 69 patients were included in this post hoc analysis. The incidence of opioid-induced constipation varied (39.1-59.1%) depending on which diagnostic criteria was used. Diagnostic criteria that included a quality component or a patient's feeling of bowel movement as an evaluation item (i.e. Rome IV, physician's diagnosis, Bowel Function Index, patient's assessment) showed higher incidences of opioid-induced constipation than recording the number of spontaneous bowel movements alone. Opioid-induced constipation occurred rapidly after initiating opioids and had a significant impact on Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms total score (P = 0.0031). Patient baseline characteristics did not appear to be predictive of opioid-induced constipation onset.ConclusionsIn patients with lung cancer, opioid-induced constipation can occur quickly after initiating opioids and can negatively impact quality of life. Early management of opioid-induced constipation, with a focus on quality-of-life improvement and patient's assessments of bowel movements, is important for these patients.

Project description:Purpose:An oral formulation of methylnaltrexone has been developed for treating opioid-induced constipation (OIC). This manuscript examines the impact of oral methylnaltrexone, a peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonist, on opioid analgesia. Methods:This Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, evaluated changes in pain intensity scores (0= no pain to 10= worst possible pain) and opioid use in adults with chronic noncancer pain. Patients taking ?50 mg/day oral morphine equivalent dose (MED) for ?14 days before screening with less than three rescue-free bowel movements/week received oral methylnaltrexone 150 mg/day (n=201), 300 mg/day (n=201), 450 mg/day (n=200), or placebo (n=201) once daily for 4 weeks followed by 8 weeks of oral methylnaltrexone as needed. Results:The primary condition requiring opioid use was back pain (68.2% of 803 patients). Baseline pain intensity scores were similar among treatment groups (mean range, 6.2-6.4) and remained stable throughout the 4-week double-blind (mean range, 6.1-6.5) and 8-week as needed (mean range, 6.3-6.5) periods. Baseline mean MED was comparable between oral methylnaltrexone 150 mg (200.0 mg/day), methylnaltrexone 450 mg (218.0 mg/day), and placebo (209.7 mg/day), but was slightly higher in the oral methylnaltrexone 300-mg group (252.6 mg/day). Nonsignificant, minimal changes in mean MED were observed after 4 weeks of treatment (214.5-235.6 mg/day) and at the end of the as needed phase (202.3-234.9 mg/day). The percentage of patients who initiated new opioid medications during the 4-week, once-daily dosing period was generally similar among the oral methylnaltrexone 150-mg, 300-mg, and 450-mg groups (44.8%, 43.3%, and 35.0%, respectively), the oral methylnaltrexone combined group (41.0%), and the placebo group (39.8%). The most common newly initiated opioid medications during this once-daily period were oxycodone (oral methylnaltrexone groups combined, 14.6%; placebo, 12.4%) and morphine (oral methylnaltrexone combined, 10.1%; placebo, 7.0%). Conclusion:Oral methylnaltrexone does not elicit opioid withdrawal or interfere with opioid analgesia.

Project description:The use of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain is widespread; the prevalence of specific opioids varies from country to country and depends on product availability, national formulary systems, and provider preferences. Patients often receive opioids for legitimate treatment of pain conditions, but on the opposite side of the spectrum, nonmedical use of opioids is a significant public health concern. Opioids are associated with several side effects, and constipation is the most commonly reported and persistent symptom. Unlike some adverse effects associated with opioid use, tolerance does not develop to constipation. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is the most prevalent patient complaint associated with opioid use and has been associated with declines in various quality of life measures. OIC can be extremely difficult for patients to tolerate and may prompt patients to decrease or discontinue opioid treatment. Current management strategies for OIC are often insufficient. A prolonged-release formulation of oxycodone/naloxone (OXN) has been investigated for the treatment of nonmalignant and cancer pain and mitigation of OIC, and evidence is largely favorable. Studies have demonstrated the capability of OXN to alleviate OIC while maintaining pain control comparable to oxycodone-only regimens. There is insufficient evidence for OXN efficacy for patients with mild OIC or patients maintained on high doses of opioids, and use in these populations is controversial. The reduction of costs associated with OIC may provide overall cost effectiveness with OXN. Additionally, the presence of naloxone may deter abuse/misuse by those seeking to misuse the formulation by modes of administration other than oral ingestion. Most studies to date have occurred in European countries, and phase 3 trials continue in the United States. This review will include current therapeutic options for pain and constipation, unique characteristics of OXN, evidence related to use of OXN and its place in therapy, discussion of opioid abuse/misuse, and various abuse-deterrent mechanisms, and areas of continuing research.

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Opioid-Induced Constipation among a Convenience Sample of Patients with Cancer Pain.

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Opioid-Induced Constipation among a Convenience Sample of Patients with Cancer Pain.

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