• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 1994

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.30-35
• /
• 2011

The objective of this study was to find out drug use pattern of narcotic analgesics in university hospitals in Korea. A university hospital located in Kyungbuk province was chosen for this study. The drug use pattern was analyzed in terms of ingredient, administration route, patient type, and attending department. Amount of drug usage was counted by unit dose defined by the number of ampule or vial for injectable, tablet or capsule for oral, and each for patch preparations. Result showed that 11 narcotic analgesic ingredients were used during 2007-2009, and the drug usage was increased by about 20% annually during the period. Proportion of oral preparations used for pain management was about two third of all narcotic analgesics usage and kept increasing during the period. Proportion of the drug usage for outpatients was also steadily increased. Notably, the usage of oral preparations of oxycodone, morphine, and hydromorphone was rapidly increased for the management of cancer pain while the usage of codeine and codeine-containing composite preparations for cancer pain were minimal (<10%). About 90% of all narcotic analgesics were used by physicians in Internal Department, especially in Oncology Division of the Department. These findings suggest that pain management is becoming more aggressive and in agreement with WHO's guidelines regarding selection of administration route. However, in terms of 3-step ladder for cancer pain management, the drug use pattern was not congruent to WHO's guidelines. Therefore, in conclusion, it appears that physicians need to try to be congruent to the guidelines when using narcotic analgesics for cancer pain.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.16-17
• /
• 2003

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate effects of 'Soyeum' on cancer patients accompanied by pain. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 9 patients accompanied by pain who had been injected with 'Soyeum' for over 14 days continuously in East-West Cancer Center of Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University from June 2002 through august 2002. Results : The statistical significance between the pre-treatment and post-treatment results (Changes of Cytokine Level, QOL, BPQ and Pain relief after pain management) were analyzed. Analysis of cytokines (IL-12, IFN- ) level showed that the percentage of increase of lL-12 is $60\%$, IFN- is $60\%$. Analysis of QOL showed that the percentage of maintenance and improvement is $77.8\%$. $55.5\%$ of the patients reported a 'worst pain' intensity score of 3 or greater, $44.5\%$ reported a 'least pain' intensity score of 2 or greater, and $66.7\%$ reported 'average pain' intensity score of 2 or greater. $33.3\%$ of the patients were in pain at the time of interview and $22.2\%$ had a current intensity score of 2 or greater. Analysis of pain relief after pain management showed that the percentage of pain relief score of 2 and 3 is $55.6\%$. The data was expressed as Mean SE by using descriptive statistics. Statistical significance examined by using paired t-test. Conclusions : It is suggested that 'Soyeum' has effects on pain of cancer patients, also expected that 'Soyeum' is useful to improve immunoactivity and for cancer patients