Italian observational trial of appraisal and comparison by geriatric assessment instruments. Use of high potency opioids for cancer pain control and quality of life in elderly people

8164 Background: Pain is probably under-recognized and under-treated in the Elderly with advanced cancer disease but, the effect of a therapy with high potency opioids is not studied so much in geriatric age people.To evaluate efficacy and tollerability of escalating doses of Transdermal Fentanyl (TTS-F) with Immediate Release Oral Morphine (IROM) as rescue medication,for treatment of moderate-severe cancer pain we have started a Multicentric Observational Analysis in four cancer centres of north-western Italy.Studies of oncological palliation using valid measures of quality of life,show that patients may be willing to accept some side effects of treatment, as long as they gain relief from tumor-related symptoms. Methods: -TIQ (Therapy Impact Questionnaire) -VAS (Visual Analogic Scale): 0 to 10 -Toxicity (WHO criteria) -Geriatric Assessment for pts aged>70 yrs (only at time 0): CIRS (Comorbility Index) IADL/ADL (Instrumental Activities Daily Living/Activities Daily Living) Patients characteristics -149 pt...