Lei Lei, Qinfei Zhou, Xi Liu, Guanai Bao, Haiying Ding, Qunfang Ding, Liyan Gong
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Methadone has shown effectiveness in pain control in patients with cancer who are intolerant to other opioids in China. However, the optimal strategy for methadone conversion from previous high doses of opioids in refractory cancer pain remains debatable. This study aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of a 3-day switch (3DS) strategy for methadone conversion in patients with refractory cancer pain on high doses of opioids.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30-day medical records of 70 patients with refractory cancer pain who used a 3DS strategy for methadone conversion from previous high doses of opioids from July 2018 to December 2022. The 3DS strategy indicated that the methadone dose was increased by one third every day for 3 days. Data on the rate of successful conversion, the time to stable analgesia after conversion, the conversion efficiency, the corrected QT (QTc) interval, the actual conversion ratios, adverse events (AEs), and quality of life were analyzed.
Results: Seventy patients received 3DS methadone conversion and 64 patients were eligible for analysis. Fifty patients (78%) achieved stable analgesia, and the median time to stable analgesia was 8.14 ± 2.70 (range 6-14) days. The average dose of methadone was 77.94 ± 42.74 mg. The most common AEs (≥ 10%) included constipation, dry mouth, nausea, and cold sweats. The incidence of constipation was reduced post-methadone conversion, and a statistically significant but asymptomatic prolongation of the QTc interval was observed. Additionally, the actual conversion ratios were lower than Ayonrinde's recommended ratios.
Conclusions: The 3DS strategy for methadone conversion is applicable in Chinese patients with refractory cancer pain on high doses of opioids.
期刊介绍：
Pain and Therapy is an international, open access, peer-reviewed, rapid publication journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world, and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of pain therapies and pain-related devices. Studies relating to diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also encouraged.
Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, acute pain, cancer pain, chronic pain, headache and migraine, neuropathic pain, opioids, palliative care and pain ethics, peri- and post-operative pain as well as rheumatic pain and fibromyalgia.
The journal is of interest to a broad audience of pharmaceutical and healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, case reports, trial protocols, short communications such as commentaries and editorials, and letters. The journal is read by a global audience and receives submissions from around the world. Pain and Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an international and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of all scientifically and ethically sound research.
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