Long-Term Intrathecal Opioid Therapy With a Patient-Activated, Implanted Delivery System for the Treatment of Refractory Cancer Pain

Richard L. Rauck, David Cherry, Michael F. Boyer, Peter Kosek, Joseph Dunn, Kenneth Alo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

148 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study evaluated the safety and efficacy of patient-activated delivery of intrathecal morphine sulfate boluses delivered by way of a novel internalized intrathecal delivery system. Patients with refractory cancer pain or uncontrollable side effects were enrolled at 17 U5 and international sites in this prospective, open-label study. Pain relief, reduction in systemic opioid use, and reduction in opioid-related complications were analyzed both individually and together as a measure of overall success. One hundred forty-nine patients were enrolled and 119 were implanted. Average numeric analog scale pain decreased from 6.1 to 4.2 at 1 month and was maintained through month 7 (P < .01) and through month 13 (P < .05). Systemic opioid use was significantly decreased throughout the study (P < .01). Significant reduction in the opioid complication severity index was demonstrated at all 4 follow-up visits (P < .01). Overall success (≥50% reduction in numeric analog scale pain, use of systemic opioids, or opioid complication severity index) was reported in 83%, 90%, 85%, and 91% of patients at months 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. This study demonstrated that patients with refractory cancer pain or intolerable side effects achieved better analgesia when managed with patient-activated intrathecal delivery of morphine sulfate via an implanted delivery system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)441-447
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Pain
Volume4
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2003

Keywords

  • Cancer pain
  • Intrathecal
  • Opioid
  • Patient-activated

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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