Characterization of the use of morphine for cancer pain in Primary Health Care in Las Tunas province during the year 2019

Abstract

Introduction: opioid drugs are indicated for pain management in cancer patients; morphine is considered the analgesic of choice due to its cost-effectiveness. Objective: to characterize the use of morphine in cancer patients in Primary Health Care in Las Tunas province during the year 2019. Method: observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study, in cancer patients who required the use of morphine for pain relief in Primary Health Care in Las Tunas province, in the period from January to December 2019. The sample was made up of 763 patients selected through an intentional non-probabilistic sampling. Results: 63,96 % of the patients required the use of morphine (10 mg). A predominance of female patients was found, aged between 65 and 74 years (25,69 %) and under 55 years (24,11 %). The most frequent locations of cancer were lung (18,87 %) and colon with rectum (11,53 %). The largest numbers of patients came from the municipalities of Las Tunas (40,23 %) and Puerto Padre (18,89 %). A predominance of patients who required 6 daily doses (27,65 %) and 3 daily doses (25,56 %) was found. Conclusions: female patients older than 55 years were prone to developing lung or colon and rectal cancer, requiring a dose of morphine (10 mg). The use of multiple daily doses was common and was determined by several factors.

Keywords

• dolor en cáncer
• dolor
• analgésicos opioides