Open AccessANALGESIC USE, PAIN EXPERIENCE, AND HEALTH‐RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE HIP AND/OR KNEE PRESCRIBED ORAL OPIOID ANALGESICS
Author(s) -
Joseph Condon,
Joanne BorgStein,
John Revord,
Susan Schmitt,
Jerel H. Glassman,
Elizabeth Bensen,
Richard E. Seroussi,
Bradford Fowler
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pain medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.893
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1526-4637
pISSN - 1526-2375
DOI - 10.1046/j.1526-4637.2002.20244.x
Subject(s) - medicine , osteoarthritis , analgesic , opioid , anesthesia , physical therapy , alternative medicine , receptor , pathology
Gale Morrissey‐Harding, MA, 1 Daniel A. Ollendorf, MPH, 1 Ellen Dukes, PhD, 2 Deborah Hoffman, PhD, 2 Erin G. Richardson, BA, 1 Gerry Oster, PhD 11 Policy Analysis, Incorporated, 2 Pudue Pharma LP Background: Analgesic use, pain experience, and health‐related quality of life among patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee who have been prescribed oral opioid analgesics have not been well characterized. We examined these issues in a patient survey. Methods: Study subjects were patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee who had been prescribed oral opioid analgesics; they were recruited from the offices of a random sample of US internists and family practitioners. Data were collected via mail survey. Measures of interest included dosage, frequency, and duration of use of oral opioids and other analgesic medications, pain intensity and interference with activities, and satisfaction with pain medication, and health‐related quality of life as assessed on a standard 100 point utility thermometer. Results: A total of 229 patients returned completed surveys. Study subjects reported moderate to severe levels of pain and interference with activities, and low levels of health‐related quality of life. Approximately one‐third (31%) reported that they were not currently using opioids; among remaining patients, only 9% of patients reported using a long‐acting opioid. Use of over‐the‐counter (OTC) pain relievers was widespread. One‐third of those who reported using an OTC pain reliever containing acetaminophen also took prescription products containing acetaminophen. Conclusions: Many patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee who have been prescribed oral opioid analgesics nonetheless report significant pain, activity interference, and impaired quality of life. Our findings suggest that the prescribing of an opioid analgesic is not a final step in pain management; continued medical management is needed to ensure acceptable health outcomes.