Effectiveness of subcutaneous morphine in the treatment of pain crises in cancer patients

Authors

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous morphine for managing pain crises resulting from various causes in cancer patients attended by the Pain Clinic in the immediate care area of the National Cancer Institute in Mexico City.

Materials and Methods: This study was analytical, observational, retrospective, and descriptive. The oncology patients treated in the immediate care area for pain crises between August 1, 2020, and July 1, 2023, made up our study population. We documented the management of pain crises for patients who needed subcutaneous morphine treatment.

Results: Considering a reduction in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score >30% as effective and a reduction <30% as ineffective, 566 patients didn’t require an additional dose of subcutaneous morphine to control the pain crisis; 11 patients reported a decrease of <30%. A total of 24 patients needed a second rescue. Among this group, only 5 responded well to the second morphine rescue; in the remaining 19 patients, the rescue was deemed ineffective if the NRS decreased by at least 30%. Only 5 individuals experienced moderate pain, and only one patient reported severe pain. The variables were compared using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test with significance <0.05. Consequently, it may be said that there is a statistically significant difference between the first and subsequent NRS values obtained.

Conclusion: For oncology patients treated by the Pain Clinic in the immediate care section of the National Cancer Institute in Mexico City, subcutaneous morphine is beneficial in managing pain crises of different origins.

Keywords: Morphine, Subcutaneous Pain crises, Efficacy, Numeric rating scale

Keywords:

morphine, subcutaneous, pain crises, efficacy, numeric rating scale

DOI

https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v14i2.6435

Author Biographies

Blanca Betsabe Aguilera-Elizalde, Pain Management, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Pain Management, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

María del Rocío Guillén-Núñez, Interventional Pain Management and Palliative Care, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Interventional Pain Management and Palliative Care, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Angel Manuel Juárez-Lemus, Interventional Pain Management and Palliative Care, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Interventional Pain Management and Palliative Care, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Ricardo Plancarte-Sánchez, Interventional Pain Management and Palliative Care, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Interventional Pain Management and Palliative Care, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Daniela Hernández-Rodríguez, Pain Management, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Pain Management, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Oliver Humberto González-Vega, Pain Management, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

Pain Management, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, México;

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Published

15-02-2024
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How to Cite

1.
Aguilera-Elizalde BB, Guillén-Núñez M del R, Juárez-Lemus AM, Plancarte-Sánchez R, Hernández-Rodríguez D, González-Vega OH. Effectiveness of subcutaneous morphine in the treatment of pain crises in cancer patients. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2024 Feb. 15 [cited 2025 Feb. 19];14(2):158-64. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/6435

How to Cite

1.
Aguilera-Elizalde BB, Guillén-Núñez M del R, Juárez-Lemus AM, Plancarte-Sánchez R, Hernández-Rodríguez D, González-Vega OH. Effectiveness of subcutaneous morphine in the treatment of pain crises in cancer patients. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2024 Feb. 15 [cited 2025 Feb. 19];14(2):158-64. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/6435

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