title: A pilot study into the problematic use of opioid analgesics in chronic non-cancer pain patients.
abstract: Controversy surrounds the use of strong opioid analgesic drugs for chronic non-cancer pain. Specialists have concluded that fears of problematic drug use are often unfounded. In contrast, others claim the existence of significant problems.'Problematic drug use' includes the following definitions; addiction, abuse, physiological dependence and tolerance.We present a case study and the results of a pilot, longitudinal, cohort study, via a pilot questionnaire, of 22 chronic pain clinic patients following a trial of opioid drugs. The results suggest that chronic non-cancer pain patients can be maintained on opioids with few problems, and likewise can withdraw with minimal adverse effects, other than a return of pain.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthetic and Pain Research, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ, UK. david.t.cowan@kcl.uk
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine