Adherence to guidelines on prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in the National Cancer Institute, Sudan

Authors

  • Moawia M A Elhassan University of Gezira
  • Arwa A S A Ali Wad Medani Teaching Hospital
  • Mohamed O M Elmustafa University of Gezira

Keywords:

guidelines, prophylaxis, chemotherapy-induces nausea, vomiting

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the adherence to American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for antiemetic prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and assess the outcomes of the prescribed antiemetic drugs. Methods: This prospective, observational study enrolled chemotherapy-naive cancer patients who were admitted to the National Cancer Institute between May and July 2015 for intravenous chemotherapy. Patient’s demographic data, chemotherapy protocols and types of antiemetic drugs were collected by reviewing patients’ files, chemotherapy prescription forms and interviewing the patients. Results: The data revealed that 90% of pre-chemotherapy antiemetic prescriptions did not adhere to antiemetic guidelines. The trends of non-adherence included an overuse of ondansetron (14%), under-prescribing of dexamethasone (16%) and corticosteroid duplication (14%). Regarding antiemetic use for the prevention of delayed emesis, the data showed that 90% of antiemetic prescriptions were non-adherent with ASCO guidelines, with overuse of ondansetron (20%) and metoclopramide (37%) and lack of dexamethasone prescriptions (80%) on days 2 and 3 being the most frequently reported trends. The percentage of patients with complete response (no emesis or rescue therapy) over 5 days post chemotherapy was 36%. Conclusion: The study indicated an extremely low adherence rate to ASCO guidelines for antiemetic prophylaxis of chemotherapyinduced nausea and vomiting. Non-adherence included a trend of both underuse and overuse of indicated antiemetic medications.

Author Biographies

  • Moawia M A Elhassan, University of Gezira
    National Cancer Institute University of Gezira
  • Arwa A S A Ali, Wad Medani Teaching Hospital
    Wad Medani Teaching Hospital
  • Mohamed O M Elmustafa, University of Gezira
    Faculty of Pharmacy University of Gezira

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Published

2017-12-04

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2017)

Section

Guidelines

License

South African Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (SAJGO) Copyright is held by South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SASGO). Copyright of the articles is held by the authors. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial Works 4.0 South Africa License (CC BY NC). Material submitted for publication in the SAJGO is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. The SAJGO does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do no purport to reflect the opinions or views of SASGO or its members.