title: Adherence and long-term effect of oxycodone/paracetamol in chronic noncancer pain: a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term administration of opiates in patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is subject to debate due to insufficient clinical evidence to support efficacy and tolerability.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective analysis used hospital records to investigate the effects of low doses of the combination of oxycodone/paracetamol on CNCP in an outpatient clinic setting to verify adherence to therapy and long-term efficacy. All patients receiving therapy for CNCP were examined between May and September 2010 and information was collected on medication, duration of therapy, and static and dynamic pain measured using numeric rating scales (NRS) from relevant charts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and thirty-one patients (157 men, 68%) with a mean (± SD) age of 66.4±15.5 years were analyzed. Pain indexes at baseline revealed a mean (± SD) static NRS (sNRS) of 3.5±1.77 and a mean dynamic NRS (dNRS) of 7.24±1.33. At last follow-up, mean (± SD) pain reductions versus baseline were 1.58±1.42 for sNRS and 3.04±1.43 for dNRS (P<0.0001 for both). Regarding the duration of therapy, 54 patients (23.4%) were treated for <4 months, and 177 patients (76.6%) for 4 months up to 23 months. Pain reduction was significant in all groups (P<0.0001) but was greatest in patients who had been receiving therapy for ≥4 months. Improvements in pain relief were not associated with an increase in daily dose, which remained stable or decreased slightly over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study support the hypothesis that an opiate-based combination at low doses improves tolerability and adherence and results in patients obtaining long-term efficacy. Larger studies of the use of opiates in this setting and clinical monitoring on the regional and national level may convince clinicians to view opiates as efficacious analgesics and not as dangerous substances of abuse.
authors.affiliation: Tor Vergata Polyclinic, Rome, Italy. antonio.gatti@ptvonline.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mammucari
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabato
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Masucci
authors.forename: Alessandro Fabrizio
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Sabato
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013995:Time
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000082:Acetaminophen; D010098:Oxycodone