Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain
Authors: Michael Lubrano, Jonathan P. Wanderer, Jesse M. Ehrenfeld
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2015)

Letters21 July 2015Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic PainMichael Lubrano, MD, MPH, Jonathan P. Wanderer, MD, MPhil, and Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPHMichael Lubrano, MD, MPHFrom New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.Search for more papers by this author, Jonathan P. Wanderer, MD, MPhilFrom New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.Search for more papers by this author, and Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPHFrom New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L15-5109 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Opioid prescribing has undoubtedly increased over the past several decades. As Chou and colleagues' review (1) details, improving risk mitigation strategies for negative outcomes from long-term opioid use is likely warranted. The authors highlight an absence of adequate scientific evidence on long-term opioid therapy and note that this paucity of data is in "striking contrast" to the widespread use of opioids. Although Chou and colleagues describe the consequences of current opioid prescribing patterns, they do not address what is driving this practice.In the late 1990s, the Joint Commission made well-intended recommendations that pain be better recognized ...References1. Chou R, Turner JA, Devine EB, Hansen RN, Sullivan SD, Blazina I, et al. The effectiveness and risks of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:276-86. [PMID: 25581257] doi:10.7326/M14-2559 LinkGoogle Scholar2. The Joint Commission. Pain Assessment and Management: An Organizational Approach. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: The Joint Commission; 2000. Google Scholar3. Frantsve LM, Kerns RD. Patient-provider interactions in the management of chronic pain: current findings within the context of shared medical decision making. Pain Med. 2007;8:25-35. [PMID: 17244101] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.. Medicare program; Hospital Inpatient Value-Based Purchasing program. Final rule. Fed Regist. 2011;76:26490-547. [PMID: 21548401] MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Zgierska A, Miller M, Rabago D. Patient satisfaction, prescription drug abuse, and potential unintended consequences. JAMA. 2012;307:1377-8. [PMID: 22474199] doi:10.1001/jama.2012.419 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.Disclosures: Authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOf InterestForms.do?msNum=L15-0196. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoThe Effectiveness and Risks of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop Roger Chou , Judith A. Turner , Emily B. Devine , Ryan N. Hansen , Sean D. Sullivan , Ian Blazina , Tracy Dana , Christina Bougatsos , and Richard A. Deyo The Effectiveness and Risks of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop Roger Chou , Judith A. Turner , Emily B. Devine , Ryan N. Hansen , Sean D. Sullivan , Ian Blazina , Tracy Dana , Christina Bougatsos , and Richard A. Deyo Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain J. Walden Retan Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain Roger Chou Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain J. Walden Retan Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain Roger Chou Metrics 21 July 2015Volume 163, Issue 2Page: 147KeywordsConflicts of interestDisclosureHealth care qualityInpatientsMedicareMotivationOpioidsPain managementPerceptionVital signs ePublished: 21 July 2015 Issue Published: 21 July 2015 CopyrightCopyright © 2015 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...