Abstract |
Few studies have investigated the effect of fentanyl delivered via the transdermal route with regard to the patient's psychological status. Patients who were naive to strong opioids and were attending a palliative care unit for pain relief from advanced cancer participated in this study to determine the effect of transdermal therapeutic system fentanyl (TTS-F) on their psychological condition. Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Karnofsky Performance Scale (100-0, optimum-death), and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (0: no pain; 10: worst pain) were used to measure the level of pain. Data were collected at baseline (T0), on the 7th day (T1), and on the 14th day (T2) of TTS-F application in order to determine changes in correlation to TTS-F dose. Patients' status improved according to the Zung SDS questionnaire (P < .0005) and with each of its subscales (P < .05). A similar improvement was observed according to the Spielberger STAI questionnaire (P = .002). Moreover, VAS measures demonstrated that patients achieved significant pain relief (P < .0005), while patients' performance status did not alter significantly over the study period. Furthermore, the Zung SDS showed a statistically significant correlation when compared with the Spielberger STAI (P < .01). These data provide some evidence that the psychological status, as measured with respect to depression and anxiety in patients with advanced cancer, is improved in patients receiving TTS- fentanyl. Future research should use a broad range of psychological measurements in order to assist the development of practices, which are aimed at the improvement of quality of life in these patients.
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Authors | Kyriaki Mystakidou, Eleni Tsilika, Efi Parpa, Charalambos Papageorgiou, Stavroula Georgaki, Lambros Vlahos |
Journal | Cancer nursing
(Cancer Nurs)
2004 Mar-Apr
Vol. 27
Issue 2
Pg. 127-33
ISSN: 0162-220X [Print] United States |
PMID | 15253170
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics, Opioid
- Fentanyl
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Topics |
- Activities of Daily Living
- Administration, Cutaneous
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Analgesics, Opioid
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Attitude to Health
- Depression
(diagnosis, etiology)
- Female
- Fentanyl
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Health Status
- Humans
- Male
- Mental Health
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms
(complications)
- Pain
(diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology, psychology)
- Pain Measurement
- Palliative Care
(methods, psychology, standards)
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Quality of Life
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
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