scholarly journals Resisting Prescribed Opioids: A Qualitative Study of Decision Making in Patients Taking Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain

Pain Medicine ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Paterson ◽  
Kay Ledgerwood ◽  
Carolyn Arnold ◽  
Malcolm Hogg ◽  
Charlie Xue ◽  
...  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping Chang, MSc ◽  
Kan Lun Zhu ◽  
Ivan D. Florez, MD, MSc ◽  
Sung Min Cho, BHSc ◽  
Nasim Zamir, HBSc ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) refers to all pain disorders, not due to cancer, that persist for ≥3 months. The point prevalence of CNCP in the general population of Western countries is between 19 and 33 percent. Opioids are commonly prescribed for CNCP and are associated with both benefits and harms. The Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for CNCP was published in 2010 to provide guidance for optimal opioid prescribing in patients with CNCP.Objectives: To investigate the attitudes toward, and use of, the Canadian Opioids Guideline among pain physicians.Design: A qualitative study using one-on-one, semistructured interviews with 12 pain physicians in Ontario, Canada, and thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts.Results: Major themes that emerged from interviews included: (1) generally positive attitudes toward the 2010 Canadian Opioids Guideline, but limited use—half (six of 12) reported they did not use the guideline in practice; (2) strongly contrasting views regarding the 200 mg/d morphine equivalent watchful dose; (3) recognition of gaps in the guideline, especially recommendations for urine drug screening and pain severity-specific therapy; (4) the guideline is excessively long and the format suboptimal; and (5) improved dissemination and education are needed to enhance guideline uptake.Conclusions: Despite its merits, the Canadian Opioids Guideline suffers from information gaps and from limited uptake, at least in part due to suboptimal format and suboptimal dissemination.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. pnw284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua E. Richardson ◽  
Jennifer I. Lee ◽  
Anita Nirenberg ◽  
M. Carrington Reid

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e000068
Author(s):  
Sonia Hur ◽  
Michael Tzeng ◽  
Eliza Cricco-Lizza ◽  
Spyridon Basourakos ◽  
Miko Yu ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPartial gland ablation (PGA) therapy is an emerging treatment modality that targets specific areas of biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa) to minimize treatment-related morbidity by sparing benign prostate. This qualitative study aims to explore and characterize perceptions and attitudes toward PGA in men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on active surveillance (AS).Design92 men diagnosed with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS were invited to participate in semistructured telephone interviews on PGA.SettingSingle tertiary care center located in New York City.Participants20 men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS participated in the interviews.Main outcome measuresEmerging themes on perceptions and attitudes toward PGA were developed from transcripts inductively coded and analyzed under standardized methodology.ResultsFour themes were derived from 20 interviews that represent the primary considerations in treatment decision-making: (1) the feeling of psychological safety associated with low-risk disease; (2) preference for minimally invasive treatments; (3) the central role of the physician; (4) and the pursuit of treatment options that align with disease severity. Eleven men (55%) expressed interest in pursuing PGA only if their cancer were to progress, while nine men (45%) expressed interest at the current moment.ConclusionsAlthough an emerging treatment modality, patients were broadly accepting of PGA for PCa, with men primarily debating the risks versus benefits of proactively treating low-risk disease. Additional research on men’s preferences and attitudes toward PGA will further guide counseling and shared decision-making for PGA.


Author(s):  
Shung-Tai Ho ◽  
Tso-Chou Lin ◽  
Chun-Chang Yeh ◽  
Kuang-I Cheng ◽  
Wei-Zen Sun ◽  
...  

Background: Long-term use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain is associated with sex hormone disturbances. The interferences with sex hormones, sexual function, and depression were investigated in patients with chronic noncancer pain. Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter survey was conducted on 170 officially registered outpatients receiving long-term opioid treatment in nine medical centers in Taiwan between October 2018 and July 2019. Serum sex hormone levels were examined after the collection of self-administered questionnaires containing the Taiwanese version of the Brief Pain Inventory, depressive status, and sexual function interference. Results: Among 117 (68.8%) questionnaire responses from 170 enrolled outpatients, 38 women and 62 men completed the sex hormone tests, among whom only 23 (23%) had previously received blood hormone tests. Low serum total testosterone levels were detected in 34 (89.5%) women (<30 ng/dL) and 31 (50%) men (<300 ng/dL). Over 60% of women and men reported reduced sexual desire and function despite a nearly 50% reduction in pain intensity and daily function interference over the previous week after opioid treatment. Women generally had higher risks of a depression diagnosis (p = 0.034) and severe depressive symptoms (p = 0.003) and nonsignificantly lower opioid treatment duration (median 81 vs. 120 months) and morphine milligram equivalent (median 134 vs. 165 mg/day) compared with men. Conclusions: This survey demonstrated the high prevalence of depression diagnosis, low sex hormone levels, and reduced sexual function among Taiwanese patients with chronic noncancer pain receiving prolonged opioid therapy. Regular hypogonadal screenings are recommended for further management.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Simon Turner ◽  
Danielle D´Lima ◽  
Jessica Sheringham ◽  
Nick Swart ◽  
Emma Hudson ◽  
...  

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