Dilemmas in chronic/persistent pain management.
The burden of chronic/persistent pain is substantial for the patient and society as a whole. Although a variety of pharmacologic treatments are available, chronic/persistent pain remains inadequately treated. Many pharmacologic treatment options provide analgesic efficacy for 4 to 6 hours, requiring multiple doses for continuous pain relief. The inconvenience of multiple doses may prevent many patients from achieving adequate pain relief. Other limitations to the current pharmacologic treatment options include gastrointestinal effects, cardiovascular effects, and organ toxicity, as well as fear of abuse or addiction. The purpose of this review is to highlight the burden of chronic/persistent pain in today's society and discuss the limitations of short-acting pharmacologic therapies used in the treatment of chronic/persistent pain.
Katz
Warren A
WA
Penn-Presbyterian Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. wakatzmd@aol.com
Barkin
Robert L
RL
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid