ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dosing transdermal fentanyl patch by patient-controlled intravenous anal-gesia (PCIA) with fentanyl to treat opioid-naive patients suffering from cancer-related pain. Methods:In this open non-controlled trial, 30 patients with moderate to severe cancer pain were enrolled in the study. Titration conditions, pain score (NRS), and pain of life im-pact scores were assessed and recorded during four periods of treatment, as follows:before fentanyl-PCIA;during fentanyl-PCIA treat-ment;during Duragesic with fentanyl-PCIA treatment;and during Duragesic treatment. Adverse reactions were assessed and recorded during the two periods of treatment (the period before fentanyl-PCIA and the period after fentanyl-PCIA). Results:A total of 20 cases of titration were a success, whereas 10 cases failed. The general pain score, the most serious pain score, activity pain score, resting pain score, and the pain of life impact scores were all significantly reduced during fentanyl-PCIA treatment, during Duragesic with fen-tanyl-PCIA treatment, and during Duragesic treatment compared with the period before fentanyl-PCIA treatment (P<0.05). Nausea was the only adverse reaction that occurred during treatment. Obvious muscle rigidity, loss of consciousness, cough, respiratory depres-sion, and bradycardia were not observed. Conclusion:Dose titration of transdermal fentanyl patch with fentanyl administrated by PCIA for opioid-naive patients provides an effective and convenient method for pain relief treatment.