A Korean Nationwide Survey for Breakthrough Cancer Pain in an Inpatient Setting.
We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in Korean patients admitted with cancer pain.



In-hospital patients with cancer pain completed a questionnaire concerning severity of background cancer pain (BCP), prevalence and treatment for BTcP, sleep disorders, and satisfaction with cancer pain treatment. Medical records showing medications for BCP and BTcP were also evaluated.



Total 609 patients with controlled BCP enrolled. Mean age of the patients was 59.5 years old, and 59% were male. Of all patients, 177 (29%) complained of BTcP. No clinical characteristic predicted BTcP. Of the 177 patients with BTcP, 56% did not receive treatment for BTcP. Patients with BTcP showed significant association with a sleep disorder and dissatisfaction with pain control, compared to those without BTcP (p < 0.0001 and p=0.0498, respectively). Oxycodone-immediate release was the most commonly used short-acting analgesic, followed by intravenous morphine.



The prevalence of BTcP was 29% in patients admitted with controlled BCP. Although the patients had well-controlled BCP, BTcP showed association with a lower quality of life in patients with cancer. More medical attention is needed for detection and management of BTcP.
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sun Kyung
SK
Baek
Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk Univerity Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
Do Yeun
DY
Kim
Department of Hematology-Oncology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Seok Yun
SY
Kang
Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
Sun Jin
SJ
Sym
Department of Family Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
Young Sung
YS
Kim
Department of Biostatistics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
June Young
JY
Lee
D000368:Aged; D059390:Breakthrough Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000072716:Cancer Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology
Breakthrough cancer pain; Characteristics; Prevalence; Quality of life