Objectives The prevalence of analgesic opioid (AO) misuse among patients with cancer-related chronic pain remains poorly understood, and no screening tool has been validated for this population. The Prescription Opioid Misuse Index (POMI), an eight-item self-administered questionnaire, was developed for chronic non-cancer pain. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the POMI in a population of patients with chronic cancer-related pain. Methods This prospective observational psychometric study was conducted in two oncology day hospitals at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital. Eligible patients had active cancer, chronic pain lasting ≥ 3 months and were receiving daily opioid therapy. The POMI questionnaire was completed at inclusion (TEST) and 2 weeks later (RETEST). Psychometric properties were assessed following standard guidelines, including internal consistency, test–retest reliability and external validity using DSM-5 criteria for opioid use disorder as the reference standard. Results A total of 138 patients were included (58% men), with a mean age of 64 ± 10 years. Internal consistency of the POMI was low (Kuder–Richardson coefficient: 0.22). Test–retest reliability, assessed in 68 patients, showed moderate agreement (Lin’s concordance: 0.43 [0.24–0.63]). Correlation between POMI scores and DSM-5 criteria was modest (Spearman’s ρ = 0.25). According to the POMI, 11.6% of patients demonstrated opioid misuse versus 17.4% with DSM-5-defined use disorder. Conclusions The POMI lacks sufficient psychometric validity for use in oncology populations. Future tools should be specifically designed to address the clinical complexity and unique context of chronic cancer-related pain and opioid use.

Even though many years have passed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of infection with SARS-CoV-2 are not completely understood.

Objective To review the microneurography findings of long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) patients who presented to the clinic with multisystem involvement affecting neurological, cardiovascular, g.....

Patients with advanced, life limiting illness might develop pain or breathlessness, requiring opioids. Opioid neurotoxicities, like sedation and delir…

People with advanced illness at home, and their families, rely on ‘out-of-hours’ services provided by community, primary and specialist palliative car…

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading infectious cause of death worldwide, and an important cause of morbidity among migrants arriving in Australia and New Zealand. The Australasian Clinical Tuberculosi...

To provide goal-concordant care in advanced cancer, treatment intent must be aligned with patients’ care preferences. This cross-sectional analysis finds that compared to patients with other serious ...

‘Blowing the whistle can be a tough gig,’ Adelaide judge says, while Rex Patrick declares Boyle ‘a hero’ for speaking out in 2018

The ABC welcomes today’s decision not to convict whistleblower Richard Boyle, although his case again highlights the need for whistleblower protections to be strengthened.

In modern British society, death is out of sight and behind closed doors. Many of us lack direct exposure to the dying process - with all sorts of potential emotional and spiritual consequences for how we grieve our loved ones, as well as how we prepare for our own deaths. What does the dying process actually look like? A short animation by Emily Downe, and voiced by Dr Kathryn Mannix which guides you gently on a step by step journey through the process of dying. Acclaimed author, speaker and former palliative care physician Dr Kathryn Mannix has spent her medical career working with people who have incurable, advanced illnesses. The author of two Sunday Times Bestsellers – With The End in Mind and Listen, Dr Mannix is on a mission to reclaim the public’s understanding of dying. CREDITS Written and voiced by Dr Kathryn Mannix Directed and designed by Emily Downe Animated by Martha Halliday Music and sound by Jan Willem de With Produced by Theos with thanks to The Fetzer institute Find out more about Theos' work in the area of death, dying and the afterlife here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/dying-for-beginners-theos-work-on-death-dying-and-the-afterlife ***** Like what you see? Be sure to sign up to the Theos monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 CONNECT WITH THEOS Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Advocates warn increased costs for basic assistance like showers and wound cleaning will push older people into aged care or hospital