Prevalence and treatment of cancer pain in Italian oncological wards centres: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this national cross-sectional survey was to draw information on pain prevalence and intensity from a large sample of patients who were admitted to oncologic centres for different reasons and to evaluate the pain treatment and possible influencing factors.

Materials and methods: A total of 2,655 patients completed the study. Nine hundred and one patients (34%) reported pain.

Results and discussions: Higher pain levels were observed in inpatients, in the presence of bone metastases, and with low levels of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status. The number of patients receiving strong opioids increased with the highest levels of pain. However, a significant part of patients with moderate-severe pain were not receiving appropriate medication, patients being predominantly administered non-opioid drugs. General practitioners' attitudes did not negatively influence the opioid prescription.

Conclusion: The results of this survey indicate a need for continuing educational and informative program in pain management for oncologists and more generally for any physician dealing with cancer patients.