Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Dec 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of intravenous administration of paracetamol on morphine consumption in cancer pain control.
The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of intravenous administration of paracetamol added to morphine in the control of cancer pain and its possible contribution as reduction of opioid consumption and opioid-related side effects. ⋯ Although safe and there are signals for a true analgesic efficacy, our results failed to confirm any benefits of add-on treatment with intravenous administration of paracetamol. However, the study was underpowered, and future studies in this important area need to be wary of background noise and the risk of a type II error.
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Support Care Cancer · Dec 2009
Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Screening Chinese version (MPI-sC): psychometric testing in terminal cancer patients in Taiwan.
Cancer pain is identified as a multidimensional experience, but relatively few brief instruments are available for assessing the complex pain-related experiences of terminal cancer patients in Taiwan. The purposes of this study were to (1) translate and examine the feasibility and psychometric characteristics of the eight-item Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Screening Chinese (MPI-sC) when used with patients having terminal cancer and (2) apply the MPI-sC to examine multidimensional pain-related experiences of terminal cancer patients in Taiwan. ⋯ Our results support the brief MPI-sC as a feasible and valid tool for assessing and representing multidimensional pain experiences in terminal cancer patients. The MPI-sC could help clinicians and researchers assess the complex multidimensional pain experiences of terminal cancer patients, including Chinese-speaking cancer populations.
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Support Care Cancer · Dec 2009
Components of the anorexia-cachexia syndrome: gastrointestinal symptom correlates of cancer anorexia.
Cancer-related anorexia is traditionally considered part of a complex but ill-defined anorexia-cachexia syndrome in which anorexia is intimately associated with other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and weight loss. We surveyed cancer patients with anorexia to learn more about the relationship between anorexia and these symptoms. ⋯ Evaluation of multiple other GI symptoms is important in understanding the total experience of cancer anorexia. Early satiety, taste changes, food aversions, and altered sense of smell are important accompanying GI symptoms. Most validated anorexia tools do not assess these commonly associated GI symptoms. Future research should develop a comprehensive anorexia symptom questionnaire.