Pacjenci Onkologiczni Oraz Ich Opiekunowie Wobec Opioidowego Leczenia Przeciwbólowego — Szanse I Zagrożenia Dla Procesu Leczenia

Failure of pain treatment may cause worsening of mental functioning, increase in depression symptoms and clinical diagnosis of demoralization syndrome (ICD-10, category R45.4 Demoralization and apathy), inhibiting obeying the treatment and functioning discipline, which may lead to the risk of desiring euthanasia. According to a research review carried out in 2016, the incidence of pain in the group of patients with advanced or terminal disease amounted to 66.4% (in comparison to 64% in 2007), 55% (in comparison to 59% in 2007) during anti-cancer treatment and 39.3% (in comparison to 33% in 2007) in the group of patients after completing the treatment. The aging of societies and increasing life expectancy in cancer patients change the dynamics and length of treatment processes. The paper described specific limitations in opioid pain treatment on the side of patients and their caregivers: concern not to distract the doctor’s focus on the cancer treatment, concern for obtaining an opinion from a difficult, complaining patient, a conviction that pain is significant information about the course of the disease, vital for the treatment of fatalistic attitude towards the pain alleviation. The lack of current knowledge, false convictions, negative attitude concerning opioid pain treatment are indicated in many studies as common for patients, caregivers and doctors. Convictions most frequent in these groups include the concern for addiction, developing tolerance and side effects. The paper indicated the distinguished factors deciding about the effect of treatment, such as the ability to build, correct and maintain the cooperation between a doctor and a patient in the treatment process, which may last many years or decades. It refers to guidelines and recommendations, which are a detailed source of knowledge concerning opioid pain treatment.