Author/Authors :
Uyar, M Ege Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Eyigör, C Ege Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon Anabilim Dalı, Turkey
Abstract :
Cancer pain remains undertreated in the elderly despite ageneration of efforts to make impact. A least 42% of elderly cancer patients reported unrelieved pain. Many factors contribute to inadequate pain management in the elderly. From medical and institutional stand point these include lack of standart assessment scales, fragmented care, physician bias, lack of knowledge regarding, pain medication use in this age group, and fears related to polypharmacy and comorbid conditions.The most common treatment of cancer pain consists of the use of regularly given oral analgesics such as paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioids. The elderly are at increased risk of developing toxicity from NSAIDs, and the overall safety of these drugs in frail elderly patients should be considered. Although the aged population requires lower doses of opioids, only careful titration based on individual response can ensure the appropriate response to clinical demand. Adjuvant analgesics, including antidepressants, antiepileptics, corticosteroids may help in the treatment of certain types of chronic pain.With an appropriate and careful approach, it is possible to reduce or eliminate unrelieved cancer pain and, consequently, to enhance the quality of life in most elderly patients.
