Avalia？？o do hábito intestinal em pacientes com cancer que utilizam morfina para o controle da dor

background and objectives: there are few data in the literature on intestinal constipation secondary to morphine in cancer patients. this study aimed at evaluating intestinal habits of cancer patients under morphine. method: this is a prospective non-randomized study carried out from february to november 2007. all patients had cancer, over 4 years of age and were under morphine for pain control. patients received laxatives 24 hours after starting with morphine. intestinal habits were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. when needed, feces were rectally or orally desimpacted. results: twenty-two cancer patients aged between 5 and 35 years (mean 16.7 years) were admitted, of whom 63.6% were under palliative care. during the first week under morphine and lactulose, 40.9% of patients were constipated. in the second and third weeks, constipation was present in 38.8% and 16.6% of patients, respectively. treatment was able to control constipation in 50% of cases. conclusion: constipation was frequent however the specific attention to their intestinal habits has increased adherence to laxatives and has decreased the formation of fecal impaction.