Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2008
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAssessing analgesic regimen adherence with the Morisky Medication Adherence Measure for Taiwanese patients with cancer pain.
The purposes of this study were (1) to examine the psychometric properties of the Taiwanese version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Measure (MMAM), including its validity and reliability, (2) to investigate levels of analgesic regimen adherence, and (3) to explore the predictors of adherence to the analgesic regimen in a sample of Taiwanese cancer patients with pain. One hundred thirty-five patients receiving analgesics for cancer pain participated in this study. Instruments consisted of the Taiwanese version of the MMAM, the Barriers Questionnaire-Taiwan form, the Chinese version of the Brief Pain Inventory, the American Pain Society Outcome Questionnaire, Karnofsky Performance Status, and a demographic questionnaire. ⋯ The model accounted for 63% of the variance in the medication adherence score. The Taiwanese version of the MMAM shows excellent reliability and validity. The use of this reliable, valid, simple, and easily administered tool can improve communication between patients and clinicians about use of analgesics and further improve the analgesic regimen adherence.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy and safety of transdermal buprenorphine: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 289 patients with severe cancer pain.
Strong opioids are recommended for treating severe cancer pain in the advanced stages of the disease. Few data are available concerning the efficacy of buprenorphine in cancer pain. We compared transdermal buprenorphine 70 microg/h (BUP TDS) to placebo in an enriched design study. ⋯ This result was supported by a lower daily pain intensity, lower intake of buprenorphine sublingual tablets and fewer dropouts in the BUP TDS group. The incidence of adverse events was slightly higher for BUP TDS. In conclusion, BUP TDS 70 microg/h is an efficacious and safe treatment for patients with severe cancer pain.