Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

In Hospital-at-home Setting, Opioid Use to Relieve Pain and Suffering at End of Life is Safe

by Kathy Jones on September 11, 2010 at 10:35 AM
 In Hospital-at-home Setting, Opioid Use to Relieve Pain and Suffering at End of Life is Safe

A study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine (JPM), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, In, says that patients who choose to spend their last days at home with specialized care and monitoring can safely be given opioids to control pain and other symptoms without reducing survival time.

The use of high-dose opioids to relieve symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath in hospital- or hospice-based end-of-life care is proven to be effective but is available in only a few countries in the world. Many physicians around the world are afraid to prescribe opioids in sufficient doses to be effective in terminally ill patients in the home setting. Consequently, it is important that Itxaso Bengoechea, MD and colleagues from Galdakao-Usánsolo Hospital in Bizkaia, Spain, conducted a retrospective study on the safety and survival effects of increasing doses of opioids during end-of-life care at home. The study included 223 patients with terminal cancer who received specialized medical and nursing care and active monitoring in their homes.

Advertisement

The authors report that opioid use is both safe and effective and, in fact, patients who received a greater than two-fold increase in their initial dose had a longer median survival (22 days) than those who received lower doses (9 days). In the article entitled "Opioid Use at the End of Life and Survival in a Hospital at Home Unit," the authors conclude that opioid use in the home setting did not have a negative effect on patient survival time.

"Many worry that use of opioids in end-of-life care tacitly hastens death. Reassuringly, the results of this study show that higher doses were safe in the home and linked to longer survival," says Charles F. von Gunten, MD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Palliative Medicine and Provost, Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice.



Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Drug News

Prolonging Market Exclusivity of Brand-name Insulin
Examining FDA and patent records, researchers found that insulin manufacturers prolong market exclusivity for brand-name products.
FDA Boosts Orphan Drug Designations for Myelofibrosis Treatments
The rise in FDA ODD awards indicates a collective endeavor to create new myelofibrosis medications devoid of mechanisms inducing anemia.
Anti-Rheumatic Drugs May Help Prevent Thyroid Disease
The most significant decrease in autoimmune thyroid disease risk was observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving immunomodulatory drugs or 'biological DMARDs'.
Apotransferrin's Potential in Early Stroke Therapy Revealed
Human apotransferrin injected to mice models suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage was found to mitigate the serious effects of stroke.
Anti-cancer Drug Navitoclax Help Treat Lower Back Pain
The reduction of these senescent osteoclasts, possibly through the utilization of current medications, could present a novel approach in managing lower back pain.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

In Hospital-at-home Setting, Opioid Use to Relieve Pain and Suffering at End of Life is Safe Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests