title: [Comparison of transdermal fentanyl for the management of cancer pain in adults and elders].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The transdermal fentanyl (TDF) patch has become widely used in the treatment of cancer pain. We aimed to compare the analgesic efficiency, side effects and patient satisfaction of TDF in adult and geriatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data of 181 patients who were observed in our pain clinic were included in this retrospective study. There were 95 patients in the adult group (Group A) and 86 patients in the geriatric group (Group G). Demographic data, cancer type, duration of pain, side effects, visual analog scale (VAS) score, treatment assessment scale (TAS) score, TDF dosage, and the number of patients in whom therapy has been terminated were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the usage of TDF, reduction in pain score was observed in both groups (p<0.001). The TAS score was similar between the groups at the end of the first month, but it was lower in Group G in the following months. Constipation, dry mouth, somnolence, and dyspnea were seen more frequently in Group G. Because of these side effects, the number of patients in whom therapy was terminated was higher in Group G.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TDF patch is a good choice for cancer pain treatment for both adult and geriatric patients. Since it was observed that the incidence of side effects was higher in the geriatric patients, they should be treated more carefully.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşegül
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bilen
authors.forename: Achmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Irem
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alkan
authors.forename: Aysel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altan
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl