Impact of breakthrough pain on quality of life in patients with chronic, noncancer pain: patient perceptions and effect of treatment with oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC, ACTIQ).
OBJECTIVE
To characterize breakthrough pain (BTP), its qualitative impact on quality of life (QoL), and the effects of BTP treatment on QoL.


METHODS
Multicenter patient-reported survey.


METHODS
Five pain treatment centers.


METHODS
Fifty-six adults with chronic noncancer pain using oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC, ACTIQ).


RESULTS
Forty-three patients qualified for in-depth analysis. BTP had a mean intensity of 9.0 (range 5-10) on an 11-point numerical scale (0 = no pain to 10 = worst possible pain), had a mean duration of 83 minutes, and had an adverse effect on multiple QoL domains. The largest negative QoL impacts were on "general activity level" and "ability to work." OTFC had a positive impact on both controlling BTP and improving QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
BTP appears to be a clinically important condition in this population and is associated with an adverse impact on QoL. Understanding those QoL domains most affected by BTP and those potentially improved with treatment should help in developing quantitative QoL assessment tools and other outcome measures for BTP management studies.
Taylor
Donald R
DR
Comprehensive Pain Care, Marietta, GA, Marietta, Georgia 30060, USA. dtaylor@cpcnopain.com
Webster
Lynn R
LR
Chun
Steven Y
SY
Reinking
Jeffrey
J
Stegman
Mary
M
Shoemaker
Steven
S
Fortner
Barry
B
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D018710:Pain Clinics; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl