A systematic review of the influence of opioids on advanced cancer patient survival.

López-Saca JM, Guzmán JL, Centeno C.

Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 

2013 Nov;7(4):424-30

Source

aPalliative Care Unit, Clinic University of Navarra bUniversity of Navarra, Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), ATLANTES Research Program: Human Dignity, Advance Disease and Palliative Care cBiomedical Humanities Department, Navarra University, Pamplona, Spain.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Many health professionals still believe that opioids shorten the lifespan of patients. This situation implies that the ethical doctrine of double effect is often invoked to justify their use in extreme circumstances. The objective of this study is to revise the evidence existing in the recently published literature regarding the effect on patient survival of opioid used to control disease symptoms.

RECENT FINDINGS:

A review of the scientific literature regarding the effects of opioids on symptom control and survival does not provide any evidence that there is an association between these two variables.

SUMMARY:

The studies revised have not shown that the use of opioids for symptom control in advanced disease stages or in the last days of life has any effect on patient survival. 
Similarly, survival was not influenced by either the use of higher or lower doses of opioids, or by the practice of administering a double dose at night.