European Study of Opioid Induced Constipation

NCT ID: NCT05149833

Last Updated: 2025-04-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

1200 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-09-16

Study Completion Date

2024-07-31

Brief Summary

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Constipation is common (40-90%) in advanced cancer patients , and has a significant negative impact on quality of life. The aetiology of constipation is often multifactorial in advanced cancer patients. However, it is well recognised that opioid analgesics are a common cause of constipation in this group. The prevalence of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is stated to be 40-70%, although a recent large study reported an even higher figure.

OIC has been reported to exceed pain in terms of distress caused, and studies have found that some patients choose to reduce or discontinue opioid medication in order to attempt to better control constipation. Moreover, OIC is associated with a variety of physical (gastrointestinal, systemic), psychological and social problems.

Detailed Description

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This European study follows on from a United Kingdom study, and aims to confirm findings of the previous study in a larger, more heterogeneous sample: it also aims to explore additional strategies to manage OIC. Moreover, the study aims to identify differences in perception of normal bowel habit / constipation, and differences in OIC management in the different European countries. Previous studies suggest that there are cultural differences in people's beliefs about constipation / normal bowel function. The aim of the project is to investigate OIC in a real world / heterogenous group of European patients with cancer.

Conditions

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Opioid-Induced Constipation

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18 years or over
* Diagnosis of cancer
* Diagnosis of cancer pain or cancer treatment-related pain
* Taking regular opioids for at least one week (i.e. opioid for mild to moderate pain / "weak" opioid; or opioid for moderate to severe pain / "strong" opioid)

Exclusion Criteria

* Unable to provide consent
* Unable to complete questionnaire
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Dublin, Trinity College

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Prof Andrew Davies

Professor of Palliative Medicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Andrew Davies, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Dublin, Trinity College

Locations

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Norah Fagan

Dublin, , Ireland

Site Status

Countries

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Ireland

References

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Fallon MT, Hanks GW. Morphine, constipation and performance status in advanced cancer patients. Palliat Med. 1999 Mar;13(2):159-60. doi: 10.1191/026921699677653615. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10474699 (View on PubMed)

Goodman M, Low J, Wilkinson S. Constipation management in palliative care: a survey of practices in the United kingdom. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2005 Mar;29(3):238-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2004.06.013.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15781174 (View on PubMed)

van den Beuken-van Everdingen MH, de Rijke JM, Kessels AG, Schouten HC, van Kleef M, Patijn J. Quality of life and non-pain symptoms in patients with cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Aug;38(2):216-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2008.08.014. Epub 2009 Jun 28.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19564094 (View on PubMed)

Cherny N, Ripamonti C, Pereira J, Davis C, Fallon M, McQuay H, Mercadante S, Pasternak G, Ventafridda V; Expert Working Group of the European Association of Palliative Care Network. Strategies to manage the adverse effects of oral morphine: an evidence-based report. J Clin Oncol. 2001 May 1;19(9):2542-54. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2001.19.9.2542.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11331334 (View on PubMed)

Davies A, Leach C, Butler C, Gregory A, Henshaw S, Minton O, Shorthose K, Batsari KM. Opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer: a "real-world," multicentre, observational study of diagnostic criteria and clinical features. Pain. 2021 Jan;162(1):309-318. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002024.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32701649 (View on PubMed)

Walter S, Hallbook O, Gotthard R, Bergmark M, Sjodahl R. A population-based study on bowel habits in a Swedish community: prevalence of faecal incontinence and constipation. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Aug;37(8):911-6. doi: 10.1080/003655202760230865.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12229965 (View on PubMed)

Lee TH, Choi SC, Park MI, Park KS, Shin JE, Kim SE, Jung KW, Koo HS, Kim WJ, Cho YK, Kim YS, Lee JS. Constipation misperception is associated with gender, marital status, treatment utilization and constipation symptoms experienced. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2014 Jul 31;20(3):379-87. doi: 10.5056/jnm14011.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24935009 (View on PubMed)

Davies A, Fagan N, Power J, Taylor A. 'Constipation': One word, many meanings amongst persons with cancer: An observational study. Palliat Med. 2025 May;39(5):553-562. doi: 10.1177/02692163251325711. Epub 2025 Mar 12.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 40071858 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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PM2021/65

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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