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Table 1 Characteristics of the included studies

From: A meta-analysis of efficacy and tolerability of buprenorphine for the relief of cancer pain

First author, publication year

Country

Features of RCT

Sample size (M; F)

Mean age

Route

Comparator drugs

Outcome measurement

Remarks

Aurilio 2009

Italy

Cross-over

32 (7:15)

62 (42-78)

TD

TD fentanyl

VAS, PPI, PRI

ITT

Bohme 2003

Austria, Germany, Hungary

Multicenter

151 (70:81)

60.6 (± 12.2)

TD

Placebo

VRS, responder

Complete enriched; mixed with non-cancer & cancer patients

Bono 1997

Italy

Cross-over

60 (44:16)

61.4 (40-84)

SL

Oral tramadol

VAS, KSI

Non-English

Brema 1996

Italy

Multicenter

131 (86:45)

 

SL

Oral tramadol

VAS, KSI

Non-English

De Conno 1987

Italy

Cross-over

91

 

SL

Oral pentazocine

Pain relief, KSI

Non-English

Dini 1986

Italy

Single centre

42 (21;21)

0.3 mg

SL & IM

Oral pentazocine & IM pentazocine

Pain reduction. PI

Non-English

Kjaer 1982

Denmark

Single centre

27 (13:14)

60 (41-71)

IM

IM morphine

Pain reduction

 

Likar 2007

Austria

Cross-over, open label

17

61.6 (±11.5)

TD

TD buprenorphine (4day vs 3 day regimen)

PI

A subset of cancer patients

Noda 1989

Japan

Single centre

30

range: 25-72

SC & IM

Placebo

VAS

 

Pace 2007

Italy

Open label

52 (27:15)

55 (± 2.6)

TD

Morphine

PI

Non-enriched

Poulain 2008

 

Multicenter

189

63 (33-83)

TD

Placebo

PI

Enriched; calculated sample size

Sittl 2003

Austria, Germany, Netherland

Multicenter, multidose

157 (71:86)

58.7 (±11.8)

TD

Placebo

Pain relief, PI, satisfaction

3 dosage of TD

Sorge 2004

Germany, Poland

Multicenter, multidose

137

56 (±12.1)

TD

Placebo

VRS,

Complete enriched; 33% cancer patients

Taguchi 1982

Japan

Cross-over

31

 

IM

IM pentazocine

PI

Non- English

Ventafridda 1983

Italy

Cross-over

60 (42:18)

>18

SL

Oral pentazocine

VAS, PI

VAS

Wirz 2009

Germany

Multidrug

174 (98:76)

65.3 (±10.7)

TD

Oral hydromorphone

PI, rescue

Prospective

  1. non-English: non-English language publication; ITT: intention-to-treat analysis; IM : intramuscular injection; KSI: NRS: PPI: PRI: Pain rating index; SC: subcutaneous administration; SL: sublingual administration; TD: transdermal administration; rescue: requirement of rescue drug; VAS: VRS, : Mean age: Mean age in year (±SD or range); cross-over: cross-over studies; multidrug: more than 1 comparator drug; Responders; a composite scale; PI: pain intensity.