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POTENTIAL INAPPROPRIATE USE OF STRONG OPIOID ANALGESICS IN CANCER OUTPATIENTS DURING THE LAST YEAR OF LIFE IN FRANCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS
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  • Thanh Hang CHU,
  • Manuela Rueter,
  • Aurore Palmaro,
  • Maryse Lapeyre-Mestre
Thanh Hang CHU
Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Manuela Rueter
INSERM
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Aurore Palmaro
Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier
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Maryse Lapeyre-Mestre
Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier
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Abstract

Aim: A better knowledge of opioid prescribing patterns would help to identify areas of potential improvement in cancer pain management. This study aimed to identify potential inappropriate use (PIU) of strong opioid analgesics in cancer outpatients in their last year of life. Methods: A retrospective cohort of cancer patients dead between 2011 and 2014 and who were exposed as outpatient to a strong opioid analgesic in the last year of life was identified in the “Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires” (a 1/97th random sample of the French general population). Prescribing patterns of strong opioids were analyzed and PIU was defined by at least one of these criteria: overlapping prescriptions; contraindicated prescriptions; lack of laxatives; potential drug interactions; prescription in patients hospitalized for opioid-related disorders. Factors associated with PIU were investigated through a multiple logistic regression model. Results: One third of the 2,236 patients (median age 72 years (IQR: 61-82), 44.1% of women) presented a PIU (insufficient laxative prescription (19.6% of patients), insufficient background treatment with transmucosal fentanyl (14.8%), overlapping prescriptions (2.6%)). The rate of PIU significantly decreased from 37.6% (2011) to 29.8% (2014). For patients with a duration of opioid use  3 months, factors associated with PIU were fentanyl prescription (aOR=2.36; 95% CI [1.86-3.00]) and previous use of strong opioid (aOR=1.88; [1.50-2.36]) Conclusion: In France, one third of cancer patients exposed to strong opioids experienced PIU and this proportion tended to decrease over time. There is still room for progress in cancer pain management at the end of life.
29 Apr 2021Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
11 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
11 May 2021Assigned to Editor
01 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Jul 20211st Revision Received
16 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
16 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
16 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Apr 2022Published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology volume 88 issue 4 on pages 1691-1703. 10.1111/bcp.15011