Opioid prescribing for cancer pain in Latin America: systematic review
Journal
BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
ISSN
2045-435X
2045-4368
Date Issued
2024
Author(s)
ofelia Leiva
Emeka Chukwusa
Kennedy Nkhoma
Mariana Dittborn
Pamela Turrillas
Tania Pastrana
Type
journal-article
Abstract
<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>To explore opioid prescribing patterns for cancer pain in Latin America (LA).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>A systematic review was conducted adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Relevant databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, LILACS and Scielo, were searched from inception to June 2023. Empirical studies of opioid prescription patterns in adult palliative care patients with cancer pain were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. Data were analysed using narrative synthesis. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS V.28 (IBM). Categorical variables were summarised using frequencies and percentages and continuous variables as means or medians.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Seventeen studies from six countries were included. Ten were observational, while seven were experimental, including five randomised controlled trials (RCT) and two non-RCT. Most were low or moderate methodological quality. Out of 7809 patients, morphine (54%) and tramadol (18%) were the most prescribed opioids. The median of morphine equivalent daily dose was 26 mg (IQR 26–41).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>Latin America shows lower opioid consumption rates compared with high-income countries for control pain management (CPM). More rigorous research on CPM in LA is needed. Additionally, a comprehensive review of opioid prescription patterns, including non-cancer diagnoses, is necessary.</jats:p></jats:sec>
Cite this document
Leiva, O., Chukwusa, E., Nkhoma, K., Dittborn, M., Turrillas, P., & Pastrana, T. (2024). Opioid prescribing for cancer pain in Latin America: Systematic review. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 14(e2), e1746-e1749. https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2024-004999
Subjects
palliative care
;
pain
;
cancer
;
drug administration