RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This systematic literature review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of transdermal opioids in managing cancer pain and their impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature review conducted following the PRISMA protocol, focusing on randomized clinical trials found in the Lilacs, Embase, PubMed, and SciELO databases over the last 20 years. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: We included randomized clinical trials, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, which assessed the impact of transdermal opioids on the QoL. Data extraction was facilitated using the Rayyan app. DATA SYNTHESIS: Six articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed. These studies covered a population ranging from 24 to 422 cancer patients experiencing moderate to severe pain. The risk of bias was assessed in each study, generally being categorized as uncertain or high. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings indicate that the analgesic effectiveness and side effects of transdermal formulations (specifically buprenorphine and fentanyl) for managing moderate to severe cancer pain are comparable to, or in some cases superior to, those of oral opioids traditionally employed. CONCLUSIONS: Transdermal therapy was suggested to have several advantages over oral opioid therapy in enhancing cancer patients' QoL. These benefits span various dimensions, including pain management, physical functioning, mental health, vitality, overall patient improvement, anger/aversion, strength/activity, general QoL, cognitive and emotional functions, fatigue, and insomnia.
RESUMEN
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by pain, swelling, limited range of motion, skin changes, vasomotor instability, and bone demineralization. This study aims to assess the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of CRPS. We conducted a systematic literature review following the PRISMA guidelines, using the PICO strategy (Patient, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome) with the following criteria: P = Patients with CRPS; I = Botulinum toxin; C = Placebo or active drug; and O = Pain relief. Three randomized controlled trials with placebo controls were included, involving a total of 64 patients, 36 of whom received BoNT-A in doses ranging from 40U to 200U. The studies examined both lumbar sympathetic block and local application methods. Botulinum toxin shows promise in alleviating pain associated with CRPS, particularly when used as an adjunct to lumbar sympathetic blockade. However, the limited number of studies and small sample sizes impede reaching definitive conclusions regarding its efficacy and safety. Notably, local applications (intradermal or subcutaneous) require further investigation, as current evidence is insufficient and reports indicate patient discomfort. While preliminary findings suggest potential benefits of BoNT-A in managing CRPS, larger randomized trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety.