title: Opioid use in the management of chronic pain.
abstract: Opioids are a necessary and effective component of the management of chronic non-cancer-related pain in some patients. Careful structuring, monitoring, and documentation of care are important, but the therapeutic use of opioids is uncomplicated in the majority of patients using opioids and is gratifying for both the patient and the treating physician when it results in significant reduction in pain, improvement in level of function, and a higher quality of life. Opioid therapy is most often successful when combined with other pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions as indicated by the type of pain and the context in which it occurs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Savage
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid