title: Methadone in the treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain: a 2-year follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the longitudinal use of methadone in a pain clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follow-up study of 40 patients initially treated with methadone and re-evaluated 2 years later, comparing those maintained on methadone with those who were switched to other opioids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pain clinic at a university hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 14 patients (35%) who stayed on methadone for the duration of the study, had higher employment rates (P <.05) and higher functional ratings (P <.02) than those on other opioids. Side effects were the most common reason (33.4%) for discontinuation of methadone. Dose escalation occurred in 11 of 14 patients (78.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic pain patients may be safely and effectively treated with methadone. Those not responding or tolerating methadone may be benefited by treatment with other opioids.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Pain Clinic, Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7025, USA.
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Finkel
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Toomey
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Abashian
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Mann