Opioids not better at reducing pain-related function than nonopioids

Editor's Note

Opioids were no better than nonopioid medications at improving pain that interfered with activities such as walking, work, and sleep in patients with moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain, in this study.

In 240 patients who were followed for 12 months, the use of opioids versus nonopioids did not result in significantly better pain-related function (3.4 vs 3.3 points on an 11-point scale).

Pain intensity was significantly better in the nonopioid versus the opioid group (3.5 vs 4.0), and adverse medication related symptoms were significantly more common in the opioid versus the nonopioid group (1.8 vs 0.9).

The findings do not support initiation of opioid therapy for moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain, the researchers say.

This randomized clinical trial compares the effects of opioid vs nonopioid medications over 12 months on pain-related function, pain intensity, and adverse effects among Veterans Affairs patients with moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain.

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