title: Noninterventional observational study using high-dose controlled-release oxycodone (CR oxycodone) for cancer pain management in outpatient clinics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) for patients receiving larger doses of controlled-release oxycodone (CR oxycodone) in outpatient clinics are evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The use of high-dose CR oxycodone and adjuvant drugs for pain management, pain intensity, parameters associated with quality of life, and adverse effects in cancer patients treated with high-dose CR oxycodone (≥80 mg/day) was prospectively observed for 8 weeks. Data from 486 cancer patients receiving high-dose CR oxycodone were collected from 44 hospitals during the period from February 2009 to March 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred eighteen of the total 486 patients treated with high-dose CR oxycodone were followed up for 8 weeks. Pain intensity significantly improved from a mean numeric rating scale (NRS) 5.49 to NRS 4.33 (P < 0.0001). Dosage of CR oxycodone increased from a mean of 130.0 to a mean of 174.9 (P < 0.0001). QoL including activity, walking, and sleeping significantly improved after 8 weeks. At baseline, 138 complained of adverse effects, of which constipation (30.2%) was the most common followed by dry mouth (8.8%) and dizziness (8.2%). After 8 weeks, 128 patients complained of adverse effects such as constipation (27.0%), nausea (5.7%), dry mouth (5.7%), and dizziness (5.0%). After 8 weeks of high-dose CR oxycodone, adverse effects did not increase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that over an 8-week period, the use of high-dose CR oxycodone for cancer pain management is efficient, safe, and tolerable in outpatient clinics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology Oncology, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Kyung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Hye Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Young Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dae Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Do-Yeun
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Hun Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ryoo
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Sam Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hong-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010098:Oxycodone
keywords: Hospital Outpatient Clinic; Oxycodone; Pain Management