Eighty-eight @entity1 (58 @entity1 and 30 @entity1 ; mean age 53.4 years) with chronic non- @entity5 @entity158 present on average for 9.8 years were evaluated following treatment with intrathecal opioids for an average duration of 36.2 months. Outcome measures were @entity158 relief, physical activity levels, medication consumption, work status, intrathecal opioid side-effects, proportion of @entity1 who ceased therapy and @entity1 satisfaction. The most common diagnosis in this group was lumbar spinal or radicular @entity158 after failed spinal surgery (n= 55, 63%). At the time of follow-up, mean @entity158 relief was 60% with 74% of @entity1 (36 of 49) reporting increased activity levels. Oral medication intake was significantly reduced (Medication Quantification Scale Score prior to implantation 31.0+/-2.6 and at follow-up 12.7+/-1.4; n= 48; p< 0.0001). These gains were not accompanied by a change in work status (43 of 50 working age @entity1 not working at follow-up). There were frequent reports of opioid side-effects, including @entity250 and @entity1866 . Technical complications occurred with the drug administration device, most often catheter related, requiring at least one further surgical procedure in 32 @entity1 (40%). @entity1 satisfaction with intrathecal opioids was high, with 45 of 51 (88%) reporting satisfaction. Mean intrathecal @entity1286 dose increased from 9.95+/-1.49 mg/day (mean+/-SEM) at 6 months to 15.26+/-2.52 mg/day 36 months after initiation of therapy. Drug administration systems were permanently removed in five @entity1 (6%). Intrathecal opioid therapy appears to have a place in the management of chronic non- @entity5 @entity158 . Therapy does not seem to be significantly inhibited by the development of tolerance.

Outcome of intrathecal opioids in chronic non- @entity5 XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients', 'patient', 'Patient', 'men'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancer'] @entity1866 :: ('MESH:D008599', 'Disease') :: ['menstrual disturbance'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain', 'global pain'] @entity1286 :: ('MESH:D009020', 'Chemical') :: ['morphine'] @entity250 :: ('MESH:D012735', 'Disease') :: ['sexual dysfunction']
@entity158 :: (MESH:D010146,Disease) :: ['pain']
