Effect of Topical Morphine (Mouthwash) on Oral Pain Due to Chemo- and/or Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Introduction: Oral pain due to mucosal lesion is quite frequent in oncology, geriatric as well as palliative care settings. The oncology patient is mainly suffering from radio- and/or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. The incidence of oral mucositis in oncology patients ranges from 15-40% in those receiving stomatotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The degree of mucositis is variable, but the associated pain is frequent and well documented. Nowadays, basic oral care protocols are the mainstay of preventing or reducing mucositis pain. Pain is mainly managed by systemically administered analgesia. The only pioneer work in the field of radio-or chemotherapy induced mucositis treatment with topical opioids has been done by Cerchietti in two pilot studies: one compared magic mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, magnesium aluminium hydroxide) with morphine mouthwash in a randomized trial; the other compared 1%o and 2% morphine solutions in an open trial. The results showed a significant decrease in the duration of pain, the intensity as well as a decrease the need for systemic analgesia in the group with morphine mouthwash. No systemic clinically relevant adverse effects were noted. Hypothesis: Mouthwashes with a morphine containing solution decrease oral pain substantially, while not causing the side effects seen in systemic administration of narcotic analgesics. Method: A randomised double-blind cross-over study to evaluate the effect of topical oral application of a 0.2% morphine solution in patients suffering from radio- and/or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. 60 patients will be included. Randomly assigned to either the morphine solution or a placebo mouthwash, they receive the first three days one of the solutions and then are switched over to the other treatment for three more days. General basic oral care is offered to all of the patients. Efficacy of treatment will be measured with a self-assessment pain scale. Doses of systemic opioids and other symptoms (appetite, dysphagia) will also be measured. If patient's don't receive systemic opioids, serum concentrations of morphine will be measured.

Detailed Description
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randomised double-blind cross-over study to evaluate the effect of topical oral application of a 0.2% morphine solution in patients suffering from radio- and/or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. 60 patients will be included. Randomly assigned to either the morphine solution or a placebo mouthwash, they receive the first three days one of the solutions and then are switched over to the other treatment for three more days. General basic oral care is offered to all of the patients. Efficacy of treatment will be measured with a self-assessment pain scale. Doses of systemic opioids and other symptoms (appetite, dysphagia) will also be measured. If patient's don't receive systemic opioids, serum concentrations of morphine will be measured.

Official Title
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Effect of Topical Morphine (Mouthwash) on Oral Pain Due to Chemo- and/or Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis

Conditions
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Cancer, Mucositis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: mouth wash with morphine
* Drug: placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Hospitalised patients, or ambulatory patients that have daily radiotherapy in HUG No risk of swallowing the mouth wash solution (determined before inclusion by a recovery of more than 90% of the 15ml of water solution used for testing) Treatment with chemo- and/or radiotherapy causing oral mucositis Oral pain associated with mucosal injury (WHO grading of mucositis >= 2) Cognition: Mini Mental Status Examination of at least 28/30

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Placebo Comparator: 1<br>D1-D3 receive placebo | Drug: placebo<br>* placebo solution Quinine diHCl 0.3% at 50 mg/15 ml mouthwash 6 time/day<br>|
| Active Comparator: 2<br>receive D1 D3 morphine | Drug: mouth wash with morphine<br>* morphine solution 0.2% concentration; 15ml per unit mouthwash 6 time à day<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| difference of pain alleviation in the two branches one hour after mouthwash and as well as the duration of pain relief. |  | 1 year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| the requirement of supplementary systemic analgesics |  | 1 year |