Considerations in 2017–2018 for the Use of Opioids in Non-terminal Pain

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Despite external pressure on medical providers to reduce opioid prescribing, patients with chronic, non-terminal pain continue to present to their physicians requesting pharmacologic assistance with low back pain, arthritis, neuropathy, migraine headaches, and other forms of non-terminal pain lasting more than 3 months.

Recent Findings

In the last 2 years, updated systematic meta-analyses and one randomized, controlled trial have still been unable to find evidence of benefit from use of opioid therapy longer than 3 months for treatment of non-terminal pain.

Summary

With substantial evidence about the potential risks of opioid use and a relative paucity of evidence supporting their long-term use, prescribers are asked to be more judicious in their selection of patients, continuously weighing the risks and benefits.

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2CBSxDh