You are viewing the site in preview mode

Skip to main content

Table 2 Comparison between ESAS-r scores, opioid/non opioid analgesics and adjuvant medications before (D0) and after referral to Palliative Care Centre between D0 and D6

From: The pattern of change in opioid and adjuvant prescriptions for cancer pain before and after referral to a comprehensive program in the Palliative Care Center in Kuwait

  Before D6 Z scorea P value*
ESAS-r pain 6(4–8) 3(0–4) − 12.637 < 0.001
ESAS-r tiredness 2(2–5) 2(1–4) −1.936 0.026
ESAS-r drowsiness 1(1–6) 1(1–4) −1.223 0.111
ESAS-r nausea 2(1–7) 1(0–2) −8.105 < 0.001
ESAS-r lack of appetite 5(2–8) 3(1–5) −6.265 < 0.001
ESAS-r shortness of breath 2(1–6) 0(0–1) −2.822 0.005
ESAS-r depression 3(2–6) 2(1–4) −4.842 < 0.001
ESAS-r anxiety 6(4–9) 2(1–4) −5.570 < 0.001
ESAS-r wellbeing 6(2–8) 4(3–6) −8.970 < 0.001
Opioids/non-opioids analgesics number
 None 23(9.6%) 0(0%)   
 One drug 137(57.1%) 189(78.8%)   
 Two drugs 70(29.2%) 46(19.2%)   0.01
 Three drugs 8(3.3%) 5(2.1%)   
 Four drugs 2(0.8%) 0   
MEDD in mg/day
 Regular 60(31–93) 34(22–66) −3.951 < 0.001
 PRN only 8(0–13) 5(2–10) -2.271 0.027
Morphine 49(20.4%) 119(49.6%)   < 0.001
Oxycodone 50(20.8%) 32(13.3%)   < 0.001
Transdermal fentanyl patch 70(29.2%) 24(10%)   < 0.001
Tramadol 69(28.8%) 71(29.6%)   < 0.001
Paracetamol/NSAIDs Adjuvants 65(27.3%) 40(16.7%)   0.001
 NON 147(61.2%) 38(15.8%)   
 One drug 67(27.9%) 76(31.7%)   
 Two drugs 15(6.2%) 62(25.8%) −9.638 < 0.001
 Three drugs 9(3.8%) 45(18.8%)   
 Four drugs 2(0.8%) 19(7.9%)   
Gabapentinoids 57(23.75%) 79(32.9%)   < 0.001
 Gabapentin 36 (15%) 57(23.75%)   
600(300–900) 900(300–1200) −2.035 0.04
 Pregabalin 21(8.75%) 22 (9.15%)   
300(75–300) 300(150–450) −0.577 0.564
Dexamethasone 13(5.4%) 20(8.3%)   < 0.001
8(8–16) 8(4–13) −1.138 0.186
Antidepressant drugs n(%) Median (IQR) mg/day
 Amitriptyline 14(5.8%) 44(18.3%)   0.002
25(10–25) 50(35–100) −1.931 0.042
 Other ADD 15(6.2%) 34(14.1%)   < 0.001
 Duloxetine 30(30–60) 60(30–60) −.587 0.564
 Escitalopram 5(5–10) 10(10–10) −2.333 0.016
 Sertraline 0.0 50(50–50) −15.765 < 0.001
 Mirtazapine 15(7.5–15) 15(15–30) −1.783 0.085
Benzodiazepinesb 10(4.2%) 27(11.2%)   < 0.001
Antipsychotic drugsc 8(3.3%) 11(4.6%)   < 0.001
  1. ESAS-r: Edmonton symptoms assessment scale-revised, ESAS Items represented in median and interquartile range
  2. MEDD: morphine equivalent daily dose
  3. n(%):represents patients ‘number and their percent using different opioids and adjuvant medications
  4. Quantitative variables represented as median (IQR)for ESAS-r scores, drug doses
  5. aZ score was for Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test for comparing 2 groups of quantitative data
  6. bBenzodiazepines: Midazolam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Bromazepam
  7. cAntipsychotic drugs: Haloperidol, Quetiapine, Olanzapine, Chlorpromazine
  8. *P value was considered significant if < 0.05
Back to article page

BMC Palliative Care

ISSN: 1472-684X

Contact us

\