Assessment of under treatment of pain in cancer patients admitted to palliative and oncology units using pain management index

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Abdullah Algarni, Abdulaziz Babiker, Hajer Salama, Ihab Sharha and Dalia Saleh

King Abdulaziz medical University, Saudi Arabia

: J Nurs Patient Care

Abstract

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Background: Despite available effective cancer pain management guidelines, cancer pain is still undertreated in many countries due to many barriers. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and intensity of cancer pain and how adequately managed in adult cancer inpatients. Methods: We retrospectively analaysed all accessible adult cancer inpatients who were seen and managed by Oncology Department at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1st of April 2019 until 20th of May 2021.The primary objective was to assess the prevalence and intensity of cancer pain and how adequately managed by using pain management index. We assessed pain score prospectively. Results: Out of the 323 patients included in this study,169 (66.8%) patients had pain and 71% of them reported to have moderate to severe pain and 29% reported to have mild pain. 228 (90.1%) of patients had pain management index (PMI) score equal or more than zero (pain is adequately managed) and 25 (9.9%) patients had PMI score less than zero (pain is not adequately managed).167 (66%) of patients treated with strong opioids, 26 (10.3%) with weak opioids, 38 (15%) with nonopioid analgesics and 22 (8.7%) did not receive any analgesics. Conclusion: Cancer pain is common and moderate to severe in majority of cases and this study showed that pain was adequately managed in 90.1% of patients included and 84.5% of them were satisfied about management plan, however regular pain assessment and adherence to guidelines are crucial.

Biography

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Abdullah Algarni is currently working in King Abdul-Aziz medical University, Saudi Arabia and his research interest are pain management, palliative & hospice medicine.