OIC Case Study

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Introduction
The use of opium as analgesic and antidiarrheal agents can be traced back to the 30th BC by the Sumerians and predynastic Egyptians. Opium has undergone numerous modifications, and has been accepted as standard medical compounds worldwide today (Brock et al., 2012). To manage moderate to severe pain, opioids treatments are the mainstream of therapies for in the Western countries. It has been estimated that 90% of American patients who present to pain centers receive opioids for the treatment (review1). However, there is the potential for great harm along with the use of opioids, including various burdensome side effects and complications. Patients receiving opioid analgesics often suffer from opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OBD). Constipation is the most common clinical manifestation. Hence, opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is reported by the most of opioid-treated cancer patients as a more frequent source of suffering than the pain (burden32).

It is not uncommon for patients on opioid therapies to have co-prescriptions of laxatives. However, the effects are less than satisfactory, as a great number of patients still complain about the distress from constipation. Hence, with the interest of OIC, this paper aims to explore the current understandings of OIC on its incidence, influence, and coping strategies. It will also reveal the prevalence of OIC and discuss the impact of OIC. According to the latest literatures, a summary of the evidence-based best practice and therapies for OIC will be addressed. In addition, it will describe current practice and compare it with the best practice. Subsequently, based on the comparison and gaps between the current practice and the best practice, the methods to improve practice ...

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Non-pharmacologic measurements are advocated to be used throughout the whole opioid treatment. Even though, there is not strong clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness, anecdotal reports, clinical opinion and patients perceptions all contribute to their wide applications. The use of laxatives conforms with both best practice and current practice; however, they are not evaluated as effective as they are in simple constipation case when treating OIC. Opioid antagonists are promising new agents for OIC, but more researches are needed for their adoptions in the future practice. Recommendations on education and research were discussed for the further improvements. OIC remains a significant challenge for medical staff. All health professional should enhance collaboration to improve practice and research, in consequence, work out better approaches.

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