Introduction: The Scope of Breakthrough Pain in Clinical Practice

Breakthrough pain (BTP) is a common condition for patients with cancer and a variety of nonmalignant chronic diseases. The reported incidence of BTP varies widely from as low as 16% to as high as 95% of those with persistent pain syndromes. A large international study from the Working Group of the International Association for the Study of Pain Task Force on Cancer Pain estimated the overall prevalence of BTP in patients with cancer to be 65%[1]. Worldwide, the number of patients with low back pain is very likely much higher, as the prevalence of persistent low back pain is 17–50%[2]. The wide variability of the reported prevalence of …