UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

The study was aimed at identification and management of side effects caused by opioids in cancer incurable patients. Accessibility of opioids is new for Georgia and no studies have been conducted in this direction before..

Methods: Randomized study of target groups of cancer patients

Results: In 2003 the study of 422 randomly selected cancer incurable patients at National Cancer Center showed that 319 patients (75,6%) complained of various intensity pain. 52 patients (16,3 %) from 319 consumed narcotic drugs. Analysis of complains in 107 opioid consuming cancer incurable patients indicated that side effects caused by opioids has developed in 72,9 % of the cases: Side effects, such as constipation (54,2%), somnolence (43,9 %), nausea/vomiting (24,3%) occurred in over 20 % of the cases and were considered as most frequent side effects; Increased sweating (19,6 %), dry mouth (16,8%), pruritis (12,2%), confusion (10,3%) appeared to be less frequent side effects. Side effects: biliary spasm (6,5%), myoclonus (-), urinary retention (-), respiratory depression (5,6%) were characteristic for 5- 10% of the cases and were considered as rare side effects; depression (4,7%), opioid-inducing hyperalgesia (-), arthralgias/ arthritis (4,7%) endocrine effects (-), peripheral edema (-), gastro esophageal reflux (-), cardiac arrhythmias (-) developed in 5 % of the cases and thereby were consider as very rare side-effect. Basing on data of relevant literature and exparience gained during the study, general approaches to the management of opioid side effects were worked out.