Analgesia for patients with advanced disease: I. Issue 941 (11th March 2004)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hall, E J; Sykes, N P
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 80:Issue 941(2004)
• Page Start: 148
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2004-03-11
• Subjects: malignant -- non-malignant -- pain -- opioids -- analgesia -- adjuvants -- non-opioids -- non-pharmacological; EAPC, European Association of Palliative Care -- NMDA, N-methyl-D aspartate -- OTFC, oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate -- SIGN, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network -- TENS, transcutaneous nerve stimulation -- WHO, World Health Organisation; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2003.015511
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : This series of two articles explores the challenge of managing pain in patients with advanced malignant and non-malignant disease. Pain is a common symptom in advanced disease. Despite guidance from organisations such as the World Health Organisation, cancer pain is often inadequately managed. Managing pain in non-malignant conditions, such as end stage cardiac failure, presents an even greater challenge to healthcare professionals. This first article discusses epidemiology, definitions, pathophysiology, assessment, non-pharmacological approaches, the analgesic "ladder", and opioids. The second article will examine the use of non-opioids, anaesthetic techniques, and analgesia in dying patients as well as discussing future directions.