title: [Treatment of chronic osteoarthritis pain: effectivity and safety of a 7 day matrix patch with a low dose buprenorphine].
abstract: Patients with osteoarthritis often suffer from chronic pain. If pain treatment with NSAIDS and coxibes is no longer indicated, a constant and user friendly opioid analgesia can be achieved with a low dose buprenorphine patch being applicated using an interval of 7 days. The use of this matrix patch was evaluated in a multicenter observational study on 4263 patients in clinical practice. During treatment a significant decrease of mean pain intensity on a 11-point scale could be observed from 6.9 points before using the patch to 2.9 points at the end of observation. Further effects were a decrease of additional analgetic medication and an improvement of aspects of life quality, e.g. mobility and quality of sleep. Only in 4.5% of the patients adverse effects were observed, reflecting the expected range of adverse effects of opioids. Thus it could be demonstrated that the use of the transdermal patch is an effective, user friendly and safe way of chronic pain relief for osteoarthritis patients.
authors: Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin und Anaesthesiologie, Spezielle Schmerztherapie, Marl. ulf.schutter@t-online.de
authors: Ulf
authors: U
authors: Schutter
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Ritzdorf
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Heckes
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine