Evaluation of efficacy and safety of fentanyl transdermal patch (Durogesic D-TRANS) in chronic pain.
OBJECTIVE
Opioids are used in controlling several types of pain. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the fentanyl transdermal patch-type system (Durogesic® D-TRANS).


METHODS
Patients who complained of chronic moderate to severe pain were enrolled. Administration dosages of fentanyl patch started from 12.5 μg/h and could be increased by 12.5 μg/h or 25 μg/h, if the average pain score of 4 or higher occurred within 72 h. The total administration period was 12 weeks. The type, location, characteristics, and duration of pain were evaluated. Also, on day 0, weeks of 4, 8, and 12, the physician's assessment of pain intensity, the patient's assessment of pain intensity, the assessment of impact of pain on functions, and the assessment of the impact of pain on sleep were assessed. In addition, side effects were evaluated during the study duration.


RESULTS
A total of 65 cases were enrolled, and the final evaluated cases were 41. Before treatment, the average physician's assessment of pain intensity was 6.70 ± 1.41, and the average patient's assessment of pain intensity was 7.02 ± 1.63. In the final visit, the average physician's assessment of pain intensity was 2.58 ± 1.72, and the average patient's assessment of pain intensity was 2.86 ± 1.78.


CONCLUSIONS
This prospective study shows that the fentanyl patch is effective in alleviating moderate to severe chronic noncancer pain including neuropathic pain down to mild pain. Therefore, the fentanyl patch should be considered before other invasive intervention procedures in chronic moderate to severe noncancer pain.
Park
Jin Hoon
JH
Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Medicine ASAN Medical Center, University of Ulsan, 388-1 Pungnap-2 dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, South Korea.
Kim
Jeoung Hee
JH
Yun
Sung Cheol
SC
Roh
Sung Woo
SW
Rhim
Seung Chul
SC
Kim
Chang Jin
CJ
Jeon
Sang Ryong
SR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057968:Transdermal Patch / Q000009:adverse effects
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl