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ISSN 2063-5346
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A CLINICAL STUDY ON CONCURRENT CHEMOTHERAPYINDUCED ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS PROFILE IN CERVICAL CANCER PATIENTS IN THE CANCER CARE UNIT

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MUCHUKOTA SUSHMA , E. BHAVYA
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.si8.329

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are majorly affecting the health care system in terms of decreasing quality of life and also increasing financial burden. Usage of cancer chemotherapeutic agents is associated with several Adverse drug reactions ranging from mild to severe i.e., nausea to myelosuppression. Objectives: The Objectives of the study as follows: 1) To study the pattern of adverse drug reactions of anticancer agents in patients with cervical cancer receiving concurrent chemotherapy (carboplatin alone, carboplatin and paclitaxel combination, and radiotherapy in both therapies) in advanced or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix in patients admitted in the Oncology ward. 2) To Evaluate the Causality, Severity and preventability of the adverse drug reactions. Methods: The study was conducted in seventy-two eligible patients with measurable advanced or recurrent cervical carcinoma were treated with carboplatin 50 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 weekly for 6 to 9 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. It was a Cross-sectional, Observational study conducted for 6 months in a Tertiary care cancer hospital, and 72 patients with Ca. cervix receiving concurrent chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Results: Overall, out of 72 patients, most common ADRs observed with these chemotherapeutic agents were nausea (32%), vomiting (21%), alopecia (12%), headache (9%), body ache (7%), anorexia (10%), diarrhea (5%), and malaise (2%) majority of the ADRs (32%) were affecting the gastro-intestinal system. ADRs most occurred in the age group of 51-61 Years is 56.93±3.54 (Mean + SD). Naranjo scale for causality assessment showed 4.16 % of the reaction to be “definite”, 59.72 % to be “probable”, 29.16% possible, 6.94% doubtful. Conclusion: Carboplatin and paclitaxel in combination along with radiotherapy seems to have activity in advanced or recurrent cervical carcinoma with an acceptable toxicity profile. The use of preventive measures and active monitoring is needed and to enhance as well as reduce the incidence and severity of ADRs. This study concluded that most ADRs are preventable with active ADR monitoring.

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