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Exploring factors associated with long-term opioid therapy in cancer survivors : An integrative review
Fitzgerald Jones, Katie Fu, Mei R. Merlin, Jessica S. Paice, Judith A. Bernacki, Rachelle Lee, Christopher Wood, Lisa J.
Fitzgerald Jones, Katie
Fu, Mei R.
Merlin, Jessica S.
Paice, Judith A.
Bernacki, Rachelle
Lee, Christopher
Wood, Lisa J.
Abstract
Context
The prevalence of chronic pain in cancer survivors is double that of the general U.S. population. Opioids have been the foundation of cancer pain management for decades; however, there is a paucity of literature on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) in cancer survivors. An understanding of factors related to LTOT use in cancer survivors is needed to address chronic pain and balance opioid harms in the expanding population of cancer survivors.
Objectives
To analyze the research of LTOT utilization and factors associated with persistent opioid use in cancer survivors.
Methods
A five-stage integrative review process was adapted from Whittemore and Knafl. Data sources searched included Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Quantitative research studies from 2010 to present related to cancer survivors managed on LTOT were included. Editorials, reviews, or abstracts were excluded.
Results
After reviewing 315 articles, 21 articles were included. We found that there were several definitions of LTOT in the reviewed studies, but the duration of opioid use (i.e., more than three months after completion of curative treatment) was the most common. The reviewed literature describes a relationship between LTOT and important biopsychosocial factors (cancer type, socioeconomic factors, and comorbidities).
Conclusion
The studies in this review shed light on the factors associated with LTOT in cancer survivors. LTOT was common in certain populations of cancer survivors and those with a collection of patient-specific characteristics. This review suggests that there is a critical need for specialized research on chronic cancer pain and opioid safety in cancer survivors.
Keywords
opioids, cancer survivors, long-term opioid therapy, persistent opioid use, chronic cancer pain
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Book
Volume
61
Issue
2
Page Range
395-415
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled