Frequency of concomitant use of opioids and psychoactive medications among cancer patients referred to outpatient palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center.

Authors

Ahsan Azhar

Ahsan Azhar

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Ahsan Azhar, Ali Haider, Angelique Wong, Maria Agustina Cerana, Madhuri Adabala, Vishidha Reddy Balankari, Diane D Liu, Seyedeh Dibaj, Janet L. Williams, Eduardo Bruera

Organizations

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Research Funding

Other

Background: There are potential severe effects when patients taking opioids receive other psychoactive medications. However, such combinations are sometimes necessary in palliative care. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of concomitant use of opioids + psychoactive medications in cancer patients referred to our outpatient palliative care center. Methods: Retrospective data obtained from consecutive consults was analyzed to determine the frequency of patients on opioids alone versus concomitant opioids + psychoactive medications at first presentation to our clinic. Association of type of medication with demographics and baseline characteristics was evaluated by Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and Chi-square (Fisher's exact) test for categorical variables. Results: Among 541 consecutive consult visits, 365 (67%) patients were taking opioids at the time of referral to our clinic: 209 (57%) were on opioids alone while 156 (43%) were on concomitant opioids + psychoactive medications [69 (44%) were on Opioid + Benzodiazepine, 46 (30%) were Opioid + Antidepressants, 41(26%) were on both). Patients in the concomitant groups were on higher Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD, p = 0.007), had higher Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scores (ESAS) for pain (p = 0.017), anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001) and spiritual pain (p = 0.03). Conclusions: A large proportion (156, 43%) of cancer patients referred to outpatient palliative care was on concomitant opioids + psychoactive medications. These patients were on higher doses of opioids with higher levels of pain and psycho-social distress at the time of first presentation. Further studies are required to better understand the clinical implications of concomitant use of opioids + psychoactive medications in such patients.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2017 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A

Track

Integration and Delivery of Palliative and Supportive Care,Communication and Shared Decision Making,Symptom Biology, Assessment, and Management,Models of Care

Sub Track

Symptom Biology, Assessment, and Management

Citation

J Clin Oncol 35, 2017 (suppl 31S; abstract 240)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2017.35.31_suppl.240

Abstract #

240

Poster Bd #

M4

Abstract Disclosures

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