Mercadante S
J Pain Symptom Manage. 1998 Apr;15(4):227-30.
The trend in morphine consumption in Italy and in Sicily was investigated, using sales of sustained-release formulations as an indicator. A slight increase in morphine consumption has been observed in the last few years. This trend was more evident in Sicily. Formulations with the lowest dose (10-30 mg) were more frequently used. Italian laws and restrictions concerning the medical use of opioids are the most sever in Europe. Although some countries have a high level of opioid consumption, the assertion that morphine consumption is an indicator of progress in cancer pain management is only valid in countries in which opioids are not generally used for other purposes, like in Italy. Continual medical education, postgraduate training courses, and the development of pilot programs of pain relief and palliative care may improve the knowledge of cancer pain.
以缓释制剂的销售量为指标，对意大利和西西里岛的吗啡消费趋势进行了调查。在过去几年中，观察到吗啡消费量略有增加。这种趋势在西西里岛更为明显。最低剂量（10 - 30毫克）的制剂使用更为频繁。意大利关于阿片类药物医疗用途的法律和限制在欧洲最为严格。尽管一些国家阿片类药物消费量很高，但认为吗啡消费是癌症疼痛管理进展指标的说法仅在阿片类药物一般不用于其他目的的国家有效，如意大利。持续医学教育、研究生培训课程以及疼痛缓解和姑息治疗试点项目的开展可能会提高对癌症疼痛的认识。
