Efficacy and safety of transdermal fentanyl for treatment of oral mucositis pain caused by chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the efficacy and safety of transdermal fentanyl for severe mucositis pain caused by chemotherapy.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients who had moderate to severe pain using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) were enrolled in this study. The analgesic effect, quality of life and side effects were evaluated after the administration of transdermal fentanyl.


RESULTS
The median NRS score was reduced from 6 (range 4 - 9) before treatment to 4 (range 0 - 9), 2.5 (range 0 - 8), 2 (range 0 - 8), 2 (range 0 - 6) and 0 (range 0 - 5) on days 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15, respectively, after treatment (p < 0.001). The patients' quality of life also improved significantly (p < 0.01). The side effects of treatment were mild, and disappeared within several days.


CONCLUSIONS
Transdermal fentanyl is an effective, convenient and well-tolerated treatment for severe mucositis pain caused by chemotherapy that can improve patients' quality of life.
Cai
Qingqing
Q
Sun Yat-sen University, Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, 651 E. Dongfeng Road, Guangzhou, 510060, PR China.
Huang
Huiqiang
H
Sun
Xiaofei
X
Xia
Zhongjun
Z
Li
Yuhong
Y
Lin
Xubin
X
Guo
Ying
Y
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009067:Mouthwashes; D005283:Fentanyl