NSAIDs in cancer-related bone pain: demographics & co-morbidities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cancer pain: understanding demographics and co-morbidities of patients with cancer-related bone pain
IRAS ID
288587
Contact name
Michael I Bennett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Pain in the later stages of cancer affects two thirds of patients, with bone pain from cancer being the most common type. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of medicines commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain in certain medical conditions.
The World Health Organisation currently advocates their use in cancer patients with pain. However, a recent review of scientific evidence found that there is no high‐quality evidence to prove that NSAIDs are useful in treating people with cancer pain, either alone or combined with morphine-like drugs (opioids). Equally, it also concluded that there is no evidence to disprove that they are useful.
NSAIDs can cause potentially dangerous side effects in some patients, including effects on the kidneys, stomach and intestines. Consequently, further research is required to understand the effect of NSAIDs in cancer pain and ensure appropriate use to minimise side effects.
A recent UK national survey of palliative physicians supported the need for further research, with a particular focus on determining NSAID benefit in cancer-related bone pain. This patient group can be identified from those attending palliative radiotherapy at LTHT, filtering to identify patients with cancer-related bone pain.
We aim to understand the demographics and medical problems of patients with cancer-related bone pain in West Yorkshire, with the aim to plan more definitive research into how to best utilise NSAIDs for this group of patients. Understanding the viability of NSAIDs in this patient population is key in planning future research.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EM/0295
Date of REC Opinion
29 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion