Observational, prospective and multicenter study on the use of transmucosal fentanyl citrate in regular clinical practice for the control of breakthrough pain crises in cancer patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the degree of satisfaction of patients and/or caregivers with transmucosal fentanyl citrate treatment in the management of breakthrough cancer pain crises in terms of ease of use. Methods: An observational, prospective and multicenter study was carried out with 48 patients undergoing maintenance treatment with opioids for baseline chronic cancer pain and who, in addition, suffered breakthrough pain crises for those who were receiving treatment with fentanyl citrate. The main variable of the study was the degree of satisfaction of the patients and/or their caregivers with fentanyl citrate in the management of breakthrough cancer pain crises, evaluated by means of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaires. Results: 90.6 % of patients/caregivers show a high degree of satisfaction with the use of fentanyl citrate in terms of ease of use (mean VAS value of 8.2). For its part, both the general assessment by the patients/caregivers and by the healthcare professionals has been very positive (mean VAS value 7.7). Conclusions: Fentanyl citrate is an easy-to-use and effective therapy for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain crises, widely accepted by both patients and caregivers as well as health professionals.