Patterns of Pain Medication Use During Last Months of Life in HIV-Infected Populations: The Experience of an Academic Outpatient Clinic. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruiz, Marco; Armstrong, Megan; Ogboukiri, Tina; Anwar, Dominique
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 31:Number 8(2014)
• Page Start: 793
• Page End: 796
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: opioids -- HIV -- palliative care -- hospice care -- end of life -- antiretroviral; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909113503541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

Introduction: This article describes the patterns of use of pain medicines of HIV-infected patients during last months of life in an HIV university-affiliated outpatient clinic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our databases and identified patients who died over the last 12 months in our clinic. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory information were abstracted. Results: A total of 41 patients died in our HIV outpatient clinic in a period of 12 months. Opioid analgesics were prescribed for 21 (51%) patients, with 10 (48%) of these patients prescribed short-acting opioid analgesics alone, In all, 11 patients (52%) were on a short-acting and long-acting opioid combination, and 30 (73%) patients experienced pain that was not adequately controlled. Discussion: Pain control during the last months of life for this population appears to be suboptimal. Better strategies are needed.