Function and Quality of Life With Long-Term Opioid Use For Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

Abstract Background and aims Opioid consumption has increased dramatically in patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), but long-term consequences are still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of long-term opioid treatment on pain, cognition, mood, sleep and quality of life in CNCP patients. Methods In this cross-sectional pilot study, two groups of patients with CNCP treated in a multidisciplinary pain center were selected: (1) opioid group: ≥30 mg morphine equivalent/day for >4 weeks, and (2) control group: no opioid consumption for >4 weeks. Socio-demographic data, alcohol consumption, smoking habits and body mass index (BMI) were registered and pain (brief pain inventory), mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and quality of life (RAND 36-Item Health Survey) were assessed. Continuous Reaction Time and the Digit Span Test were used to evaluate cognitive function. Data was analyzed with a Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon two-sample test. Results Forty-two patients with CNCP were included (21 in each group). No differences regarding socio-demographics, smoking/alcohol habits and duration, type, or intensity of pain were found. More patients in the opioid group had significantly higher BMI (62% above BMI 25 vs. 33.3%, p = 0.042). Consequently, the subsequent data analyses were controlled for BMI. The two groups did not differ in pain, cognition, anxiety, depression, sleep or quality of life but both showed lower values than the normal standards. Further, the opioid group presented a tendency to lower ratings regarding pain and social function and performed below the normal cut off in the continuous reaction time. Conclusions No significant differences between the two groups were found regarding any of the above-mentioned variables. Interestingly, the patients assessed, regardless of taking opioids or not, could be classified with moderate pain intensity, anxiety and low quality of sleep and life compared to norm standards. Implications The findings of this pilot study suggested that long-term opioid treatment may influence pain and quality of life among CNCP patients. A larger cohort is needed to verify these findings.

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Chronic non-cancer pain and the long-term efficacy and safety of opioids: Some blind men and an elephant?

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.sjpain.2011.11.001 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 5-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C. Peter ◽

N. Watson

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Functional Status ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

AbstractBackgroundThe use of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) remains very controversial. There are a number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showing efficacy and safety in the short-term, but long-term data are limited.MethodsThis article contains 10 case reports (followed to 2011) that were selected from a survey of 84 patients with intractable CNCP treated with opioids and followed every 3 months now for a median of 10 years. The previous published survey of this group reported outcomes of pain severity, adverse effects, pain relief, satisfaction, mood, problematic opioid use, tolerance, physical dependency, functional status, health-related quality of life (HRQL), immune status and sexual function. The outcome measures for that study included a numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Brief Pain Inventory Interference Scale (BPI-I), the Pain Disability Index (PDI), and for Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) the Short Form Health Survey 12 version 2 (SF12v2). These selected patient reports were chosen to illustrate some important aspects of the diagnostic categories of CNCP, the opioids and doses used, particular issues (concurrent addiction history, bipolar disorder, and combination therapy), disease-specific and other outcomes (pain severity and relief, adverse effects, mood, function) and duration of follow-up with complex pain problems.ResultsOpioids were found to be safe and effective in the long-term for these particular patients, as well as in the larger group from which they originate. Most patients in the total sample reported 50% or greater relief and a moderate improvement in disability. Scores for functional status and HRQL were not severely affected (PDI and BPI-I ratings moderate or less and SF12v2 slightly below normative values for age). Problematic use, tolerance, and serious adverse effects including constipation were not major issues.ConclusionThese 10 reports of patients with intractable CNCP treated with opioids with some success over many years put a face on some of the participants in the larger survey of 84 suggesting that this approach is effective and safe for some patients over many years.ImplicationsThese data may not be generalizable to a larger population of patients with CNCP because of the probable selection of patients who benefit and who do not have intolerable adverse effects.

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The effect of opioid-free anesthesia protocol on the early quality of recovery after major surgery (SOFA trial): study protocol for a prospective, monocentric, randomized, single-blinded trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05829-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maxime Léger ◽

Solène Pessiot-Royer ◽

Tristan Perrault ◽

Elsa Parot-Schinkel ◽

Fabienne Costerousse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Daily Practice ◽

Postoperative Recovery ◽

Major Surgery ◽

Control Group ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background Since the 2000s, opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) protocols have been spreading worldwide in anesthesia daily practice. These protocols avoid using opioid drugs during anesthesia to prevent short- and long-term opioid side effects while ensuring adequate analgesic control and optimizing postoperative recovery. Proofs of the effect of OFA protocol on optimizing postoperative recovery are still scarce. The study aims to compare the effects of an OFA protocol versus standard anesthesia protocol on the early quality of postoperative recovery (QoR) from major surgeries. Methods The SOFA trial is a prospective, randomized, parallel, single-blind, monocentric study. Patients (n = 140) scheduled for major plastic, visceral, urologic, gynecologic, or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries will be allocated to one of the two groups. The study group (OFA group) will receive a combination of clonidine, magnesium sulfate, ketamine, and lidocaine. The control group will receive a standard anesthesia protocol based on opioid use. Both groups will receive others standard practices for general anesthesia and perioperative care. The primary outcome measure is the QoR-15 value assessed at 24 h after surgery. Postoperative data such as pain intensity, the incidence of postoperative complication, and opioid consumption will be recorded. We will also collect adverse events that may be related to the anesthetic protocol. Three months after surgery, the incidence of chronic pain and the quality of life will be evaluated by phone interview. Discussion This will be the first study powered to evaluate the effect of OFA versus a standard anesthesia protocol using opioids on global postoperative recovery after a wide range of major surgeries. The SOFA trial will also provide findings concerning the OFA impact on chronic pain incidence and long-term patient quality of life. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04797312. Registered on 15 March 2021

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Thinking Beyond Language: Intervention for Severe Aphasia

Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders ◽

10.1044/nnsld19.1.15 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 15-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nina Simmons-Mackie

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Communication Training ◽

Language Intervention ◽

Specific Training ◽

Environmental Support ◽

Total Communication ◽

Communication Partners

Abstract Purpose: This article addresses several intervention approaches that aim to improve life for individuals with severe aphasia. Because severe aphasia significantly compromises language, often for the long term, recommended approaches focus on additional domains that affect quality of life. Treatments are discussed that involve increasing participation in personally relevant life situations, enhancing environmental support for communication and participation, and improving communicative confidence. Methods: Interventions that have been suggested in the aphasia literature as particularly appropriate for people with severe aphasia include training in total communication, training of communication partners, and activity specific training. Conclusion: Several intervention approaches can be implemented to enhance life with severe aphasia.

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