Pain Management in the Last Six Months of Life Among Women Who Died of Ovarian Cancer - HealthPartners Research Foundation
The purpose of this
research study was to examine pharmaceutical pain management received in the
last six months of life for women who died of ovarian cancer. Data
were obtained retrospectively, from three large HMOs, on women who died
(1995-2000) from ovarian cancer. Subjects were identified through cancer
registries and administrative data. Out-patient medications used during the
final six months of life were obtained from pharmacy databases. Pain
information was obtained from medical charts.
We categorized each medication based on the World Health Organization
classifications for pain management (mild, moderate or intense).
Of the 421 women,
only 64 (15%) had no mention of pain in their charts. Intensity of medication
increased as women approached death. At 5-6 months before death, 55% of women
were either on no pain medication or mild medication; only 9% were using the
highest intensity regimen. The percentage on the highest intensity regimen
increased to 22% at 3-4 months before death and 54% at 1-2 months. Older women
(70 or older) were less likely to be prescribed high-intensity medication than
those under age 70 (44% versus 70%, p<0.001). Our finding that only 54% of women with pain
were given high-intensity medication near death indicates room for improvement
in the care of ovarian cancer patients at the end of life.
For more
information, contact: Jody Jackson
Phone: 952-967-7032
Email: jody.m.jackson@healthpartners.com
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