BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are few data in the literature on intestinal constipation secondary to morphine in cancer patients. This study aimed at evaluating intestinal habits of cancer patients under morphine. METHOD: This is a prospective non-randomized study carried out from February to November 2007. All patients had cancer, over 4 years of age and were under morphine for pain control. Patients received laxatives 24 hours after starting with morphine. Intestinal habits were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. When needed, feces were rectally or orally desimpacted. RESULTS: Twenty-two cancer patients aged between 5 and 35 years (mean 16.7 years) were admitted, of whom 63.6% were under palliative care. During the first week under morphine and lactulose, 40.9% of patients were constipated. In the second and third weeks, constipation was present in 38.8% and 16.6% of patients, respectively. Treatment was able to control constipation in 50% of cases. CONCLUSION: Constipation was frequent however the specific attention to their intestinal habits has increased adherence to laxatives and has decreased the formation of fecal impaction.
Intestinal constipation; Pain; Morphine; Neoplasia
