Torres HJC, Hernández SJR, Tenopala VS

Language: Spanish
References: 12
Page:
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ABSTRACT

Main goal: To asses analgesic quality and side effects of the use of transdermal fentanyl in nononcological patients with chronic pain. Material and methods: 30 patients male and female aging from 30 to 70 years with nononcological chronic pain from mild to severe, and with oral intolerance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or gastritis and gastrointestinal bleeding. The analgesic quality was assessed by means of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A 2.5 mg (25 mcgr/h) fentanyl patch was placed in the in the front side of any arm and analgesic effect was estimated every 72 hours during 3 weeks. Results: We studied, 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 5 with degenerative joint disease. The basal VAS was of 7.5 on average. During de first week it diminished to a 5.4, the second week to 4.5 and finally during the third week to 4.0. The side effects registered during the study were the nausea (7.14%), vomit (11.11%), constipation (6.66%) and sedation (3.33%). Discusion: We considerer that transdermal fentanyl is an important and effective option upon managing patients with nononcological chronic pain from mild to severe, and who show oral intolerance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or have gastritis due to drug use and gastrointestinal bleeding. We also observed that the analgesic quality was consistent and there were minimal side effects. Furthermore the transdermal fentanyl allows the application of large doses with a minimal side effects, situation that helps to improve the patient´s life quality.

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