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BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical management and quality of life of frail patients with cancer, chronic pain and breakthrough pain (BTP) and to assess whether treatment was conditioned by their frailty status.Methods This was an observational study in adult frail patients with cancer, chronic background pain and BTP. Outcomes of interest collected include clinical and sociodemographic data, Karnofsky Performance Status, quality of life (EuroQoL-5D-5L), chronic pain and BTP characteristics, as well as treatments administered for their control.ResultsA total of 222 patients were included with a mean age of 68 years (range 24-91), 60.5% men, with a mean Karnofsky of 63.2%. The number of daily episodes of BTP was 3.8 (95% CI 3.3-4.3), with a duration of 34.6 minutes (95% CI 28.8-40.3), and 56.8% had a gradual onset. Opioids were administered to 88.3% of patients for the chronic pain, and to 83.8% for BTP. The treatment's daily doses administered for chronic pain and BTP did not differ from those usually recommended. Quality of life was significantly worst in frail patients with cancer than no frail patients and was related to performance status (pConclusionsBTP in frail patients with cancer presents with more episodes, of a shorter duration and more gradual onset compared to other patients with BTP, and Quality of life was seriously affected. No relevant differences were seen in the doses or method of administration of treatments for chronic pain and BTP in frail patients with cancer as compared to the standard recommendations for non-frail patients. Trial registration: Not applicable to the study. |
