Nunes, B.C., Garcia, J.B., & Sakata, R.K. (2014). Morphine as first medication for treatment of cancer pain. Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology, 64, 236–240.
To evaluate the use of morphine as a first-line medication for pain in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer instead of the World Health Organization (WHO) ladder
Retrospective, randomized study
Twenty-four patients in G1 and 29 in G2 completed the study. There was no difference in patient satisfaction between the groups. There was a higher incidence of adverse effects (i.e., vomiting, nausea, constipation) in G2. This supported what is seen in the literature. These effects were manageable and did not negatively affect quality of life. The study was conducted over three months although the sample was obtained over two years and six months. There were no consistent differences in pain severity between the groups.
This study demonstrated the efficacy of both methods for the reduction of pain intensity in both groups, and that both methods are comparable.
Morphine as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced and moderate cancer appeared to be acceptable as a treatment for pain. The management of adverse symptoms was manageable and was comparable to traditional therapy.