Annisa Farida Muti, Salsabila Azka Maharan Azka Maharani, Dhigna Luthfiyani Citra Pradana Pradana, Eldiza Puji Rahmi

Assessing the Impact of Opioid Analgesics on Pain Intensity Among Breast Cancer Inpatients at Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Jakarta

Introduction

Assessing the impact of opioid analgesics on pain intensity among breast cancer inpatients at dharmais cancer hospital, jakarta. Discover how opioid analgesics significantly reduce pain intensity for breast cancer inpatients at Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Jakarta. Effective pain management assessed.

Abstract

Pain is a significant primary complaint among breast cancer patients. The WHO Analgesic Ladder guidelines recommend the use of opioid analgesics as a primary management strategy for cancer pain. However, a periodic evaluation of its effectiveness in specific populations remains necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of opioid analgesic therapy in reducing pain intensity for breast cancer inpatients at Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Jakarta, in 2023. This research was an observational study with a retrospective design. The study sample comprised 58 medical records from breast cancer inpatients who had received opioid analgesic therapy, collected using a total sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare pain intensity before and after the administration of therapy. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrated a highly significant reduction in pain scores following the administration of opioid analgesic therapy (p < 0.001). The administration of opioid analgesics were significantly effective in the management of pain for breast cancer patients at Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Jakarta.

Review

This study addresses a highly relevant clinical issue: the effectiveness of opioid analgesics for pain management in breast cancer inpatients, specifically within Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta. The clear objective to evaluate opioid therapy in accordance with WHO Analgesic Ladder guidelines is commendable, providing a focused assessment of a standard therapeutic approach. The finding of a statistically significant reduction in pain scores (p < 0.001) following opioid administration offers strong evidence within this specific context, affirming the critical role of these medications in managing severe cancer pain and supporting existing treatment protocols. Despite its clear findings, the study has several limitations inherent to its design and reporting in the abstract. As a retrospective observational study, it relies on existing medical record data, which may suffer from incomplete or inconsistent documentation, potentially introducing bias. A key omission is the lack of detail regarding the specific types of opioid analgesics used, their dosages, routes of administration, and the duration of therapy, which are crucial for interpreting the "effectiveness" and for any potential replication or comparative analysis. Furthermore, the abstract does not specify the pain intensity scale used or the precise timing of the "after therapy" assessment, making it difficult to fully contextualize the reported pain reduction. There is also no mention of patient characteristics beyond "breast cancer inpatients" (e.g., cancer stage, prior treatments, comorbidities), nor are any adverse effects of opioid therapy discussed, which are vital components of a comprehensive evaluation. In conclusion, this research provides valuable, albeit circumscribed, evidence for the efficacy of opioid analgesics in managing pain among breast cancer inpatients at Dharmais Cancer Hospital. While the study effectively confirms the benefit within its specific setting, its retrospective design and the limited scope of information presented in the abstract curtail its broader generalizability and depth of insight. Future research would benefit from a prospective design, detailed characterization of the opioid regimens and patient population, explicit reporting of the pain assessment tools and timing, and an evaluation of adverse events to provide a more comprehensive understanding of opioid therapy effectiveness and safety in this vulnerable patient group.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.