Update on Prevalence of Pain in Patients with Cancer 2022: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Experiencing pain and insufficient relief can be devastating and negatively affect a patient’s quality of life. Developments in oncology such as new treatments and adjusted pain management guidelines may have influenced the prevalence of cancer pain and severity in patients. This review aims to provide an overview of the prevalence and severity of pain in cancer patients in the 2014–2021 literature period. A systematic literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane. Titles and abstracts were screened, and full texts were evaluated and assessed on methodological quality. A meta-analysis was performed on the pooled prevalence and severity rates. A meta-regression analysis was used to explore differences between treatment groups. We identified 10,637 studies, of which 444 studies were included. The overall prevalence of pain was 44.5%. Moderate to severe pain was experienced by 30.6% of the patients, a lower proportion compared to previous research. Pain experienced by cancer survivors was significantly lower compared to most treatment groups. Our results imply that both the prevalence of pain and pain severity declined in the past decade. Increased attention to the assessment and management of pain might have fostered the decline in the prevalence and severity of pain.

Purine and purinergic receptors in health and disease

“…The management of cancer pain should not be limited to the tumor itself, but also consider the pain caused by the underlying pathology. Research data indicate that nearly 50% of cancer patients experience pain, particularly those with advanced tumors, the incidence of pain in cancer patients is close to 50%, especially for patients with advanced tumors, where persistent pain can significantly affect their quality of life and emotional well‐being 219,220 . Currently, the three‐step analgesic plan is widely used for cancer pain management, which involves nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, mild opioids, and potent opioids based on the severity of pain along with other physical or chemical therapies.…”

The Contribution of Cancer-Specific Psychosocial Factors to the Pain Experience in Cancer Survivors

“…cancer survivors, pain, psychosocial factors C hronic cancer-related pain or pain that persists for 3 months or longer after the cessation of acute cancer treatment is one of the most common treatment adverse effects occurring in up to 40% of cancer survivors. 1 Chronic cancer-related pain leads to decreased quality of life, social withdrawal, and function. 2 For this reason, palliative care teams are increasingly called up to care for large and growing cancer survivorship populations, with nurses often serving as the backbone of both survivorship and palliative care models.…”

“…Chronic cancer-related pain or pain that persists for 3 months or longer after the cessation of acute cancer treatment is one of the most common treatment adverse effects occurring in up to 40% of cancer survivors 1 . Chronic cancer-related pain leads to decreased quality of life, social withdrawal, and function 2 .…”

Magnesium hydroxide versus macrogol/electrolytes in the prevention of opioid-induced constipation in incurable cancer patients: study protocol for an open-label, randomized controlled trial (the OMAMA study)

“…This leads to limitations in self-management and a risk of need for more care, including hospital admission. Constipation is even more burdensome in the palliative phase of cancer, when opioid use is most common due to a high prevalence of pain and other risk factors for constipation [1,6]. Thus, attention for prevention and early recognition of OIC is needed.…”