Self-assessment pain control in end-of-life children with bone tumors: a
cohort study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: INCA estimated, for 2020 – 2022, Brazil would have 8,460
new pediatric cancer cases and 5% are bone cancer. Pain is the most
prevalent symptom and is present in 75% - 90%. Advanced ill patients
have 40% pain undertreated. OBJECTIVE: This study was to evaluate pain
in pediatric bone cancer patients and investigate if there was a
difference between those who survived and those at end-of-life.
PROCEDURE: Patients were registered at INCA Pediatric Department,
January 2011 – October 2016, with the diagnosis confirmed of primary
bone cancer and under 19 years old. Pain was evaluated and registered at
three moments during their treatment: at registration, three months
after and the last visit before the end of this study or patients death,
using pain scores. RESULTS: 157 patients were bone cancer, 15 (9.6%)
had lost the follow up; 142 were analyzed, osteosarcoma 69.7% and Ewing
sarcoma 30.3%, metastatic patients 50.7%. At the registration 53.5%
had pain, 69.71% were receiving pain treatment and 42.25% had pain
medications changed. Comparison of the three study moments was observed
a decrease of pain status, with the absence of excruciating pain, and an
increased use of opioids. There was no difference (p = 0.68) in pain
status between groups of who survived and who died (39.4%). CONCLUSION:
Pain management resulted in reduction of pain complaint and reduction in
pain intensity, together with increasing opioid use. End-of-life
patients did not have more pain than others, but disease progression was
associated to more pain.