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Nunes JC, Costa GPA, Weleff J, Rogan M, Compton P, De Aquino JP. Assessing pain in persons with opioid use disorder: Approaches, techniques and special considerations. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38556851 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) are inextricably linked, as the former can be a risk factor for the development of the latter, and over a third of persons with OUD suffer concomitant chronic pain. Assessing pain among people with OUD is challenging, because ongoing opioid use brings changes in pain responses and most pain assessment tools have not been validated for this population. In this narrative review, we discuss the fundamentals of pain assessment for populations with OUD. First, we describe the biological, psychological and social aspects of the pain experience among people with OUD, as well as how opioid-related phenomena may contribute to the pain experience in this population. We then review methods to assess pain, including (1) traditional self-reported methods, such visual analogue scales and structured questionnaires; (2) behavioural observations and physiological indicators; (3) and laboratory-based approaches, such as quantitative sensory testing. These methods are considered from a perspective that encompasses both pain and OUD. Finally, we discuss strategies for improving pain assessment in persons with OUD and implications for future research, including educational strategies for multidisciplinary teams. We highlight the substantial gaps that persist in this literature, particularly regarding the applicability of current pain assessment methods to persons with OUD, as well as the generalizability of the existing results from adjacent populations on chronic opioid therapy but without OUD. As research linking pain and OUD evolves, considering the needs of diverse populations with complex psychosocial backgrounds, clinicians will be better equipped to reduce these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio C Nunes
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gabriel P A Costa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Jeremy Weleff
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael Rogan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peggy Compton
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joao P De Aquino
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Prince E, Loeser P, Early M, Carroll CP, Lanzkron S, Pecker LH. "Buprenorphine, It Works so Differently": Adults with Sickle Cell Disease Describe Transitioning to Buprenorphine for Treatment of Chronic Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:632-641. [PMID: 37742907 PMCID: PMC11002816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of literature describes the use of buprenorphine for the treatment of chronic pain in people with sickle cell disease. The experiences of people with sickle cell disease who have tried buprenorphine have not yet reported. This qualitative descriptive study was conducted to explore perspectives on buprenorphine for chronic pain in sickle cell disease. We interviewed 13 participants with sickle cell disease who had been prescribed buprenorphine and had a clinic visit between December 1, 2020, and April 2022 in our Sickle Cell Center for Adults. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Eleven out of 13 participants were taking buprenorphine at the time of the interview, with a mean treatment duration of 33 months (SD 18, range 7-78 months). Five major themes were identified: 1) dissatisfaction with full agonist opioids; 2) navigating uncertainty with autonomy in deciding to try buprenorphine; 3) functional and relational changes after starting buprenorphine, 4) enduring systemic barriers to pain treatment, and 5) trusting treatment relationships are necessary when approaching patients about buprenorphine. The experience of adulthood living with sickle cell disease before and after starting buprenorphine is qualitatively different with significant improvements in social functioning. PERSPECTIVE: This study examined the experience of adults with sickle cell disease and chronic pain transitioning from full agonist opioids to buprenorphine. It is the first qualitative study of buprenorphine in people with sickle cell disease, contributing to a small but growing literature about buprenorphine and sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Prince
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
| | | | - Macy Early
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
| | - C. Patrick Carroll
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
| | - Sophie Lanzkron
- Division of Hematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
| | - Lydia H. Pecker
- Division of Hematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
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Davies LEM, Koster ES, Damen KF, Beurmanjer H, van Dam VW, Bouvy ML, Schellekens AF. Patients' perspectives on tapering programmes for prescription opioid use disorder: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e075246. [PMID: 38070938 PMCID: PMC10729188 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Approximately 10% of chronic pain patients who receive opioids develop an opioid use disorder (OUD). Tapering programmes for these patients show high drop-out rates. Insight into chronic pain patients' experiences with tapering programmes for prescription OUD could help improve such programmes. Therefore, we investigated the perspectives of chronic pain patients with prescription OUD to identify facilitators and barriers to initiate and complete a specialised OUD tapering programme. DESIGN A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews on experiences with initiation and completion of opioid tapering was audio recorded, transcribed and subject to directed content analysis. SETTING This study was conducted in two facilities with specialised opioid tapering programmes in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-five adults with chronic pain undergoing treatment for prescription OUD participated. RESULTS Participants indicated that tapering is a personal process, where willingness and motivation to taper, perceived (medical) support and pain coping strategies have an impact on the tapering outcome. The opportunity to join a medical-assisted tapering programme, shared decision-making regarding tapering pace, tapering location, and receiving medical and psychological support facilitated completion of an opioid tapering programme. CONCLUSIONS According to patients, a successful treatment of prescription OUD requires a patient-centred approach that combines personal treatment goals with shared decision-making on opioid tapering. Referral to a specialised tapering programme that incorporates opioid rotation, non-judgmental attitudes, and psychological support can create a safe and supportive environment, fostering successful tapering and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Eveline Maria Davies
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen S Koster
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Association of Internal Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Harmen Beurmanjer
- Novadic-Kentron, Vught, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Vivienne Wt van Dam
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel L Bouvy
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arnt Fa Schellekens
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist Practitioners in Addiction, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Chwistek M, Sherry D, Kinczewski L, Silveira MJ, Davis M. Should Buprenorphine Be Considered a First-Line Opioid for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Cancer Pain? J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e638-e643. [PMID: 37343903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer pain remains a significant problem worldwide, affecting more than half of patients receiving anti-cancer treatment and most patients with advanced disease. Opioids remain the cornerstone of therapy, and morphine, given its availability, multiple formulations, price, and evidence base, is typically considered the first-line treatment for moderate to severe cancer pain. Buprenorphine has emerged in recent decades as an alternative opioid for treating chronic pain and substance use disorder (SUD). However, it remains controversial whether buprenorphine should be considered a first-line opioid for moderate to severe cancer pain. In this "Controversies in Palliative Care" article, three expert clinicians independently answer this question. Specifically, each group provides a synopsis of the key studies that inform their thought process, share practical advice on their clinical approach, and highlight the opportunities for future research. All three groups agree that there is a place for the use of buprenorphine as a first-line opioid in cancer pain. Specifically, they mention populations of elderly patients, patients with renal failure, and those with (SUD). They also underscore many unique and favorable characteristics of buprenorphine, such as the low risk for respiratory depression, lack of adverse effects on testosterone levels in men, no risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with antidepressants, and ease of use given its transdermal, transmucosal, and sublingual formulations. However, further studies are needed to guide the use of buprenorphine for cancer pain-primarily randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing buprenorphine with other opioids in various pain syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Chwistek
- Department of Hematology and Oncology (M.C., D.S., L.K.), Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Dylan Sherry
- Department of Hematology and Oncology (M.C., D.S., L.K.), Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leigh Kinczewski
- Department of Hematology and Oncology (M.C., D.S., L.K.), Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria J Silveira
- Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine (M.J.S.), University of Michigan & Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Ann Arbor Veteran Administration Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mellar Davis
- Department of Palliative Care, Geisinger Medical Center, Geisinger Health Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (M.D.), Danville, PA, USA
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-fifth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2022 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
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Ellerbroek H, van den Heuvel SAS, Dahan A, Timmerman H, Kramers C, Schellekens AFA. Buprenorphine/naloxone versus methadone opioid rotation in patients with prescription opioid use disorder and chronic pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:47. [PMID: 36057608 PMCID: PMC9441071 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioids are effective in pain-management, but long-term opioid users can develop prescription opioid use disorder (OUD). One treatment strategy in patients with OUD is rotating from a short-acting opioid to a long-acting opioid (buprenorphine/naloxone (BuNa) or methadone). Both BuNa and methadone have been shown to be effective strategies in patients with OUD reducing opioid misuse, however data on head-to-head comparison in patients with chronic non-malignant pain and prescription OUD are limited. Methods This two-armed open-label, randomized controlled trial aims to compare effectiveness between BuNa and methadone in patients with chronic non-malignant with prescription OUD (n = 100). Participants receive inpatient rotation to either BuNa or methadone with a flexible dosing regimen. The primary outcome is opioid misuse 2 months after rotation. Secondary outcomes include treatment compliance, side effects, analgesia, opioid craving, quality of life, mood symptoms, cognitive and physical functioning over 2- and 6 months follow-up. Linear mixed model analysis will be used to evaluate change in outcome parameters over time between the treatment arms. Discussion This is one of the first studies comparing buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone for treating prescription OUD in a broad patient group with chronic non-malignant pain. Results may guide future treatment for patients with chronic pain and prescription OUD. Trial registrationhttps://www.trialregister.nl/, NL9781
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Ellerbroek
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sandra A S van den Heuvel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Dahan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Timmerman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Kramers
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmacology-Toxicology and Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnt F A Schellekens
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Center for Medical Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction (NISPA), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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