Research Guideline to Expand the Evidence Base Supporting Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Noncancer Pain
Perry G. Fine, MD
Department of Anesthesiology
Pain Research Center
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT
The American Pain Society and American Academy of Pain Medicine have recently published guidelines to help clinicians appropriately position and prescribe opioids as a treatment option for chronic noncancer pain. The recommendations serve as an important framework for comprehensive assessment, risk stratification, outcome monitoring, and tailoring of opioid-based regimens. The guidelines recognize, however, that increased opioid prescribing has occurred in recent years despite the dearth of published evidence supporting long-term effectiveness and safety, as well as growing concerns over abuse, misuse and diversion of these medications. To help address inadequacies in the evidence base, the Milbank Memorial Fund and Mayday Foundation provided financial support for an interdisciplinary expert panel charged with evaluating the existing data and devising a strategic framework for future research in this area.
Chou R, Fanciullo GJ, Fine PG, et al. Clinical guidelines for the use of chronic opioid therapy in chronic noncancer pain. J Pain. 2009;10(2):113-130.
Chou R, Ballantyne JC, Fanciullo GJ, Fine PG, Miaskowski C. Research gaps on use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain: findings from a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society and American Academy of Pain Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Pain. 2009;10(2):147-159.
Research Guideline to Expand the Evidence Base Supporting Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Noncancer Pain
Perry G. Fine, MD
Department of Anesthesiology
Pain Research Center
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT
The American Pain Society and American Academy of Pain Medicine have recently published guidelines to help clinicians appropriately position and prescribe opioids as a treatment option for chronic noncancer pain. The recommendations serve as an important framework for comprehensive assessment, risk stratification, outcome monitoring, and tailoring of opioid-based regimens. The guidelines recognize, however, that increased opioid prescribing has occurred in recent years despite the dearth of published evidence supporting long-term effectiveness and safety, as well as growing concerns over abuse, misuse and diversion of these medications. To help address inadequacies in the evidence base, the Milbank Memorial Fund and Mayday Foundation provided financial support for an interdisciplinary expert panel charged with evaluating the existing data and devising a strategic framework for future research in this area.
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