A Retrospective Study of the Incidence of Subcutaneous Induration Induced by Hydromorphone and Haloperidol

ABSTRACT

This retrospective study investigated the incidence of subcutaneous induration induced by hydromorphone citrate (HM) and haloperidol (HPD). From September 2018 to December 2019, 75 consecutive patients admitted to our palliative care unit were enrolled. A total of 177 subcutaneous injection sight reactions were assessed from the study initiation to data collection. Patients were then classified into three groups: group A, administered HM + normal saline (NS); group B, administered HM + HPD + NS; and group C, administered HM + HPD + 5% glucose water (Glu). Subcutaneous indurations were observed 29 times at the median of 71.0 (27–151) h. The incidence rates of subcutaneous induration were 4.7% (4/86), 39.1% (18/46), and 15.6% (7/45) in groups A, B, and C, respectively. A significant difference in this rate was observed between groups A and B and between groups B and C. The incidence rates of subcutaneous induration were low in the HM + NS group, but it rose by the addition of haloperidol significantly. Changing from NS to Glu as dilution liquid for HM + HPD decreased subcutaneous induration incidence.