Research Article 
Noninterventional Study of Transdermal Fentanyl (Fentavera) Matrix Patches in Chronic Pain 



Patients: Analgesic and Quality of Life Effects Manuel Heim1,2 1 Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schanzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany ¨ 2 MSL Consulting, Lujo Brentanos Strasse 11a, 83209 Prien, Germany Correspondence should be addressed to Manuel Heim; 



manuel.heim@ml-consulting-services.com 


Received 5 January 2015; Revised 25 February 2015; Accepted 2 March 2015 Academic Editor: Robert L. Barkin Copyright © 2015 Manuel Heim.



 This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Fentanyl is considered to be an effective, transdermal treatment of chronic, cancer, and noncancer pain.

 This noninterventional, clinical practice-based study, on 426 patients attending 42 practices, assessed a proprietary, Aloe vera-containing, transdermal fentanyl matrix patch (Fentavera), for its analgesic effects, patients’ quality of life (QoL) effects, tolerability, and adhesiveness. Study outcomes were mean changes from baseline of patient (11-point scales) and physician (5-point scales) ratings. After 1 and 2 months treatment, there were significant (𝑃 < 0.0001) decreases in patients’ ratings of pain intensity, and impairment of walking, general activity, sleep quality, and QoL. For each parameter, the patient response rate was >30% at 2 months (response = 2-point decrease on 11-point rating scale). In a large majority of patients, the physicians rated the matrix patch as good or very good for analgesic effect, systemic and local tolerance, and adhesiveness. There were 30 adverse events in 4.2% of patients and analgesic comedications were reduced during treatment compared to before treatment. It is concluded, from this population-based data, that the proprietary, transdermal fentanyl matrix patch is effective and safe for chronic pain management in clinical practice, with significant positive analgesic and QoL effects, while being well tolerated and exhibiting good or very good adhesiveness.