Opioid analgesics prescribing in Latin America: systematic review and meta-analysis

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dc.catalogadorjlo
dc.contributor.authorLeiva Vásquez, Ofelia Paz
dc.contributor.authorDittborn, Mariana
dc.contributor.authorTurrillas, Pamela
dc.contributor.authorChukwusa, Emeka
dc.contributor.authorNkhoma, Kennedy
dc.contributor.authorAdejoke Obirenjeyi Oluyase
dc.contributor.authorPadilla Pérez, Oslando
dc.contributor.authorPastrana, Tania
dc.date.accessioned2025-11-19T19:38:56Z
dc.date.available2025-11-19T19:38:56Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractBackground Improving access to opioids in Latin America requires better understanding of prescription patterns in palliative care.Aim To describe opioid prescribing patterns, including types and doses in morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), among patients receiving palliative care, including patients with cancer and non-cancer conditions in Latin America.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Data sources We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, LILACS and SciELO from inception to January 2025. Quantitative studies reporting opioid prescriptions in adult patients receiving palliative care were included. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data and assessed methodological quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. A narrative synthesis and descriptive statistics were conducted. Meta-analysis of MEDD was performed post hoc using random-effects models.Results Of 2855 records, 51 studies from seven countries met inclusion criteria. Most were observational (75%), with 8641 patients analysed. Cancer pain was the main indication (98%). Morphine (61%) and tramadol (15%) were the most frequently prescribed opioids. A meta-analysis of 48 studies (8433 patients) yielded a pooled mean MEDD of 98.06 mg (95% CI 77.07 to 119.05), with substantial heterogeneity (I²=100%). Most studies were rated as low to moderate quality.Conclusions This review provides a regional synthesis of opioid prescribing patterns for palliative care in Latin America. Although morphine is the most used opioid, data show limited dosing variability and a scarcity of high-quality studies. Strengthening research capacity is essential to inform clinical guidelines and policy for equitable and adequate pain management in palliative care across the region.
dc.fuente.origenORCID
dc.identifier.doi10.1136/spcare-2025-005720
dc.identifier.issn2045-435X
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2025-005720
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/107049
dc.information.autorucEscuela de Medicina; Leiva Vásquez, Ofelia Paz; 0000-0001-8136-3505; 167303
dc.information.autorucEscuela de Medicina; Padilla Pérez, Oslando; S/I; 102063
dc.language.isoen
dc.nota.accesocontenido parcial
dc.revistaBMJ Supportive & Palliative
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subject.ddc610
dc.subject.deweyMedicina y saludes_ES
dc.titleOpioid analgesics prescribing in Latin America: systematic review and meta-analysis
dc.typeartículo
sipa.codpersvinculados167303
sipa.codpersvinculados102063
sipa.trazabilidadORCID;2025-11-17
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