Impact of transdermal fentanyl on quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of transdermal fentanyl in a treatment regimen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-six patients (mean age 66 y) with severe pain caused by RA who had not previously been treated with transdermal fentanyl were included in this prospective, open-label study. Pain intensity, functional impairment, and well-being were documented prospectively for 30 days after treatment with transdermal fentanyl had been initiated. Patients evaluated pain on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Quality of sleep, daily and social functioning, and treatment satisfaction were rated using 5-point categorical rating scales. General well-being was assessed by the Marburg questionnaire.


RESULTS
Adding transdermal fentanyl to the ongoing RA therapy reduced pain intensity significantly from 8.0 (7.82 to 8.18) to 4.0 (3.75 to 4.25). Mean functional impairment due to pain also decreased significantly from "severe" at the beginning to "mild to moderate." Treatment with transdermal fentanyl also led to a significant improvement by approximately 1.5 units for all items in the Marburg questionnaire on general well-being. At the end of the study, nearly all patients were satisfied with the pain treatment. Transdermal fentanyl was generally well tolerated. The most frequent side effects were nausea (9.7%) and vomiting (7.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with pain caused by RA improved in terms of pain intensity, sleep, function, and general well-being when transdermal fentanyl was added to the treatment regimen. Treatment satisfaction was high. Transdermal fentanyl also demonstrated good tolerability over a period of 30 days.
Berliner
Michael N
MN
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Teaching Hospital of the Humboldt University Berlin, Hobrechtsfelder Chaussee 100, 13125 Berlin, Germany. Mberliner@berlin.helios-kliniken.de
Giesecke
Thorsten
T
Bornhövd
Karin D
KD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; 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* / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005283:Fentanyl