ABSTRACT
<p>Aim: To clarify the predictive risk factors for bedsores of terminal cancer patients receiving home-based care. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 95 terminal cancer patients receiving home-based care, including people using services provided by home-visit care providers until death. Results: The numbers of patients with and without bedsores were 31 and 64, respectively. Bivariate analyses revealed that significant variables were the Ohura-Hotta scale (P=0.02), hyperactive delirium (P=0.005), contracture (P=0.008), and anemia (P=0.02). According to multivariable logistic analysis, significant variables were contracture (OR=16.55, P=0.0002) and hyperactive delirium (OR=4.22, P=0.008) as independent risk factors for bedsores. Discussion: For terminal cancer patients receiving home-based care, hyperactive delirium should also be considered as a predictive risk factor for bedsores.</p>
ABSTRACT
Mistake in Japanese Sentence had been corrected
ABSTRACT
<b>Purpose</b>: Ketamine is effective on neuropathic pain that is difficult to respond to opioids among cancer pains, due to its N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism action. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral ketamine on neuropathic pain. <b>Methods</b>: We retrospectively investigated the dosage and the administration period of oral ketamine in 31 patients for one year from December 2004. <b>Results</b>: Pain-relief was achieved in 22 of 31 patients, the average of initial dose was 107.3mg/day and the average administration period was 63 days. Seven patients discontinued oral ketamine within 7 days because of nausea/ vomiting (4 patients) or drowsiness (3 patients). Two patients had no sufficient pain-relief. <b>Conclusion</b>: This experience suggests that oral ketamine is effective on the management of neuropathic pain. Palliat Care Res 2008; 3(1): 216-220