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Biomedical subjects

C Ripamonti

Publications and source records attributed to C Ripamonti.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

An update on the clinical use of methadone for cancer pain.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist considered a second choice drug in the management of cancer pain. Methadone has a number of unique characteristics including excellent oral and rectal absorption, no known active metabolites, high potency, low cost, and longer administration intervals, as well as an incomplete cross-tolerance with respect to other mu-opioid receptor agonist drugs. For these reasons, methadone has the potential of playing a major role in the treatment of cancer pain. However, its use is limited by the remarkably long and unpredictable half-life, large inter-individual variations in pharmacokinetics, the potential for delayed toxicity, and above all by the limited knowledge of correct administration intervals and the equianalgesic ratio with other opioids when administered chronically. Recent findings suggest that standard equianalgesic tables are unreliable for methadone titration in patients tolerant to high doses of opioid agonists and that switchovers should take place slowly and should be personalized. Future research has to better define the variation in both bioavailability and elimination of methadone in different patient populations, the interaction between methadone and the most commonly used drugs in cancer patients, the type and activity of potential methadone metabolites, and the equianalgesic doses between methadone and the most commonly used opioids.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Dyspnea: pathophysiology and assessment.

Dyspnea is frequently a multicausal and devastating symptom among advanced cancer patients. It occurs in 21%-78.6% of patients days or weeks before death and is often difficult to control. The genesis and pathophysiology of dyspnea as a symptom still has not been well understood. Dyspnea is frequently associated with abnormalities in the mechanisms that regulate normal breathing; however, the actual expression of dyspnea by a patient results from a complex interaction between the abnormalities in breathing and the perception of those abnormalities in the central nervous system. The production of dyspnea has to be related to the activation of mechanoreceptors both in the respiratory muscles and in the lung, even in the absence of increased muscle respiratory activity. Respiratory muscle weakness appears to be an important cause of dyspnea in malnourished, asthenic, and cachectic cancer patients. This might also explain why about 24% of dyspneic cancer patients do not present cardiac/pulmonary disease. In addition, two other possible mechanisms of dyspnea have been proposed: chemoreceptor stimulation and efferent activity from the respiratory center by direct ascending stimulation. These factors and the assessment tools used in patients with chronic dyspnea are summarized in this review.

Disease Progression↗
PubMed1997

Current status of patient-controlled analgesia in cancer patients.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a relatively new technique in which patients are able to self-administer small doses of opioid analgesics when needed. Many different devices are available for opioid infusion, including a syringe pump, disposable plastic cylinder, and battery-operated computer-driven pump. These devices allow patients to choose an intermittent (demand) bolus, continuous infusion, or both modes of administration. Parameters, such as route, drug concentration dose, frequency, and maximum daily or hourly dose, are programmed by the physician. The patient decides whether or not to take a dose. Devices can be used to deliver the drug into a running intravenous infusion, the epidural space, or subcutaneously. Controlled trials indicate that PCA is probably superior to regular opioid administration in postoperative pain. Reported advantages include greater patient satisfaction, decreased sedation and anxiety, and reduced nursing time and hospitalization. Preliminary experience suggests that PCA is also useful and safe for cancer pain, but further research is greatly needed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Rapid discontinuation of hypnotics in terminal cancer patients: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine the proportion of patients receiving hypnotics upon admission to a palliative care unit, the frequency and intensity of withdrawal symptoms after rapid hypnotic discontinuation, and the effect of discontinuation on insomnia and cognitive failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 120 consecutive admitted patients. Rapid hypnotic discontinuation (1-4 days) was attempted. Insomnia (visual analogue 0 = best, 100 = worst for insomnia, restedness during the morning and difficulty falling asleep), cognition (Mini-Mental State Questionnaire), and withdrawal signs were monitored. RESULTS: Upon admission, 92/120 patients (77%) had been receiving hypnotics for a mean of 11 (standard deviation = 8) weeks. 4/92 patients (4%) refused hypnotic discontinuation. Acute mild withdrawal was observed in 2/88 patients (2%). The intensity of insomnia was not significantly different, while cognition significantly improved after hypnotic discontinuation. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of terminal cancer patients receives hypnotic drugs chronically. These drugs are probably not useful for the treatment of their insomnia, and rapid discontinuation can be safely achieved in most patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Pain and Symptom Management in Palliative Care.

BACKGROUND: Pain, dyspnea, and anorexia are common symptoms experienced by patients with cancer and often are poorly managed. METHODS: The incidence and causes of these symptoms are described, as well as factors that exacerbate or ameliorate their impact. RESULTS: Pharmacologic management of cancer pain is based on the use of a sequential "ladder" that incorporates nonopioid, opioid, and adjuvant drugs, depending on the severity of the pain. This approach usually is effective. Other symptoms of advanced disease may be more difficult to control. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to an adequate pain-control strategy will significantly enhance palliation of pain in patients with cancer.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Clinical experience with oral methadone administration in the treatment of pain in 196 advanced cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to describe the analgesia, side effects, and dosage and the causes of suspension of treatment in a large sample of advanced cancer patients with pain after treatment with oral methadone from 7 to 90 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, data collected for 196 advanced cancer outpatients with moderate to severe pain treated at 8-hour intervals with oral methadone in solution form from February 1993 to February 1995 were analyzed at baseline (time 0) and then at 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 days. The following parameters were assessed: Karnofsky Performance Status, intensity of pain (using the Integrated Pain Score [IPS], intensity of pain, insomnia, drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and dyspnea (using the Therapy Impact Questionnaire [TIQ], mean daily dose of drug administered, and reasons for withdrawal from study. The period when pain was reduced by > or = 35% with respect to baseline was evaluated with the Palliation Index. The association of the degree of palliation of pain with the age of the patients, tumor site, analgesic treatment taken at baseline, and daily mean dose of methadone administered during the follow-up period was analyzed by means of the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: A reduction in pain intensity with respect to baseline occurred at each analysis time, and in 55.1% of the patients the reduction during the follow-up period was > or = 35% according to the Palliation Index. The mean dose of oral methadone ranged from 14 mg at day 7 to 23.65 mg at day 90. There was an overall worsening of the other symptoms, but a high percentage of the patients reported an amelioration of insomnia with respect to baseline. There was a statistically significant association (P < .0001) between the Palliation Index and the analgesic therapy administered at baseline. Only 11.2% of the patients withdrew from the study due to analgesic inefficacy and 6.6% due to methadone-related side effects (10 patients with drowsiness and three with severe constipation. CONCLUSION: Oral methadone administered every 8 hours was shown to be an appropriate analgesic therapy in the treatment of advanced cancer-related pain. The worsening of the other symptoms under study can be considered linked to the progression of the disease, and in fact, only a small percentage of the patients reported methadone-related side effects that warranted suspension of treatment. We consider oral methadone to be a useful analgesic therapy, and it should be considered in clinical practice for the treatment of cancer pain.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Propofol in terminal care.

In advanced cancer patients close to death, delirium, multifocal myoclonus, and restlessness may occur. Multi-organ failure and related metabolic changes are mostly responsible for these symptoms. A pharmacologic approach to manage the delirium is necessary in the majority of cases. Benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, and barbiturates are the most common drugs used. In the case reported, propofol administered at very low doses provided good control of neuropsychiatric symptoms. After a loading dose of 20 mg, an infusion of 50-70 mg per hr was started. The patient died peacefully after 8 hr of propofol infusion, without requiring opioids. Propofol seems to be a promising drug in treating the terminal agitated state that can be associated with the dying process.

Delirium↗
PubMed1995

Rectal methadone in cancer patients with pain. A preliminary clinical and pharmacokinetic study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer pain can be treated in most cases with oral analgesics. However, during their clinical history, 53% to 70% of patients will need alternative routes of opioid administration. The rectal administration of opioids is a simple alternative route for many patients. There are no data in the literature regarding the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of rectal methadone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the analgesia, tolerability and absorption profile of methadone hydrochloride in six opioid-naive cancer patients with pain. A blood sample was collected before administration of a single dose of drug (10 mg) and then again after fixed times. At these fixed times the patients were asked about pain, nausea and drowsiness by means of a visual analogue scale of 0-100 mm (VAS). RESULTS: Pain relief was statistically significant as early as 30 minutes and up to eight hours after methadone administration. None of the patients reported significant side effects. The pharmacokinetics of rectal methadone showed rapid and extensive distribution phases followed by a slow elimination phase. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal methadone can be considered an effective analgesic therapy for patients with cancer pain for whom oral and/or parenteral opioids are not indicated or available.

Administration, Rectal↗
PubMed1995

Role of rectal route in treating cancer pain: a randomized crossover clinical trial of oral versus rectal morphine administration in opioid-naive cancer patients with pain.

PURPOSE: The aim of this double-blind, double-dummy, crossover study was to compare the efficacy, tolerability, and time of onset of analgesia after the administration of 10 mg of morphine hydrochloride via the oral and rectal routes in opioid-naive cancer patients with pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with cancer pain and no previous opioid treatment were randomized to receive morphine hydrochloride 10 mg orally or rectally (in the form of a microenema) for 2 days. During days 3 and 4, a crossover took place. The scores of pain, nausea, and sedation (visual analog scale of 0 to 100) calculated as the percentage change from baseline (before opioid administration) were assessed at different intervals up to 240 minutes. The number of vomiting episodes was recorded. Parity tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to compare the two administration routes. RESULTS: A significant difference in pain intensity was achieved 10 minutes after rectal administration compared with 60 minutes after oral administration. There was still a significant reduction in pain via the rectal route after 180 minutes versus via the oral route after 120 minutes. No significant difference was observed in the intensity of sedation, nausea, or number of vomiting episodes between the oral and rectal routes. CONCLUSION: A liquid solution of morphine is well absorbed via the rectal route. Rectal morphine is safe, effective, easy to manage, and inexpensive, with a rapid onset of action. Rectal morphine can be considered a valid alternative route for opioid administration and may also be used when rescue doses of morphine are required in patients regularly treated with oral or parenteral opioids.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Ultrasound in the evaluation of osteoporosis: a comparison with bone mineral density at distal radius.

It is proven that, from a technical point of view, ultrasound transmission velocity (UTV) measurement can easily be taken at the distal end of the radius. The reproducibility of UTV is good (coefficient of variation 0.3% intraoperator and 0.5% interoperator). 248 normal and 65 osteoporotic women were then studied to establish the range of UTV values and to compare the ability of UTV and bone mineral density (BMD) measurement, taken at the same skeletal sites, to detect osteoporotic fragility. Osteoporosis was defined by the presence of atraumatic vertebral fractures on an X-ray of the spine. Ultrasound velocity averaged 1570.5 +/- 43.3 m s-1 in normal and 1519.2 +/- 15.2 m s-1 in osteoporotic women; the difference is also statistically significant (p < 0.01) for BMD. Both BMD and UTV decline after menopause and are significantly correlated with age. A weak correlation (r = 0.68) was found between UTV and BMD; this supports the thesis that ultrasound velocity measures bone mass as well as other fragility components of bone distinct from the decrease of mass. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that UTV discriminates between normal and osteoporotic patients at least as well as radial BMD, indicating that UTV is a new available diagnostic modality which can be used to screen osteoporotic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Management of bowel obstruction in advanced cancer patients.

Bowel obstruction is a common and distressing outcome in patients with abdominal or pelvic cancer. While surgery must remain the primary treatment for malignant obstruction, it is now recognized that there is a group of patients with advanced disease or poor general condition who are unfit for surgery and require alternative management to relieve distressing symptoms. A number of treatment options are now available for the patient with advanced cancer who develops intestinal obstruction. This review examines the indications for surgery, the use of nasogastric tube and percutaneous gastrostomy, and the place of drugs for symptom control.

Fluid Therapy↗
PubMed1994

Subcutaneous octreotide in the treatment of pain in advanced cancer patients.

Octreotide is a synthetic somatostatin analogue that has been recently tested by various routes of administration as an analgesic drug for different types of pain. The authors evaluated the analgesic efficacy of a subcutaneous 200-ng bolus of octreotide on somatic and visceral pain from advanced cancer in a randomized, single-blind crossover study. The results in nine cases did not show an analgesic effect superior to that of a placebo. Pain relief was obtained in one case of postprandial visceral pain. This case is discussed in detail, and another possible clinical use for octreotide in a particular form of neoplastic pain is hypothesized.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1994

Tolerability of ketorolac administered via continuous subcutaneous infusion for cancer pain: a preliminary report.

We evaluated the local and systemic tolerability of ketorolac administered through continuous subcutaneous infusion in ten cancer patients. The patients were monitored daily for the severity and duration of pain, and the development of other symptoms. The duration of injection site varied from 1 to more than 7 days. No patients complained of local discomfort or pain. Mild local bleeding at the site of drug injection was observed in seven cases. No increase in the intensity of symptoms was observed during the infusion of ketorolac.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Management of bowel obstruction in advanced cancer.

Bowel obstruction is a common and distressing outcome in patients with abdominal or pelvic cancer. Patients may develop bowel obstruction at any time in their clinical history, with a prevalence ranging from 5.5% to 42% in those with ovarian cancer and from 10% to 28.4% in those with colorectal cancer. The causes of the obstruction may be benign postoperative adhesions, a focal malignant or benign deposit, or relapse or diffuse carcinomatosis. The symptoms, which are almost always present, are intestinal colic, continuous abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Although surgery should be the primary treatment for malignant obstruction, it is now recognized that some patients with advanced disease or in generally poor condition are unfit for surgery and require alternative management to relieve distressing symptoms. A number of treatment options are now available for the patient with advanced cancer who develops intestinal obstruction. In this review, the indications for surgery are examined, the use of nasogastric tube and percutaneous gastrostomy evaluated, and the pharmacologic approach described.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗