title: Pain characteristics of advanced lung cancer patients referred to a palliative care service.
abstract: Sixty consecutive lung cancer patients referred to a palliative care service were followed until death to obtain specific information about the prevalence, characteristics and localization of pain. To determine the course of treatment, an Opioid Escalation Index and Effective Analgesic Score were calculated. The prevalence of pain was almost 90%. Chest and lumbar pain were the most common sites with a clear correlation between site and metastases for the chest. Somatic incident pain did not achieve good pain relief while patients with neuropathic pain did not show any particular disadvantage compared to those exhibiting somatic or visceral pain. Mean Opioid Escalation Index and percentage of pain control observed in lung cancer patients were similar to those recorded in the general cancer population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Buccheri La Ferla Hospital FBF, PalermoItaly Pain Relief and Palliative Care, SAMOT, PalermoItaly.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mercadante
authors.forename: Mariella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Armata
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvaggio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009020:Morphine