Open AccessCharacteristics of Chronic Noncancer Pain Patients Assessed with the O pioid R isk T ool in a C anadian Tertiary Care Pain Clinic
Author(s) -
Lakha Shehnaz Fatima,
Louffat Ada F.,
Nicholson Keith,
Deshpande Amol,
MailisGag Angela
Publication year - 2014
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 - 10.1111/pme.12465
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic pain , population , marital status , tertiary care , opioid , demographics , cross sectional study , physical therapy , family medicine , demography , environmental health , receptor , pathology , sociology
Abstract Background The O pioid R isk T ool ( ORT ) is a screening instrument for assessing the risk of opioid‐related aberrant behavior in chronic noncancer pain ( CNCP ) patients. Objective This study aims to compare patient characteristics documented in the original ORT study with those identified in CNCP patients assessed using a physician‐administered ORT in a tertiary care pain clinic in T oronto, C anada. Methodology This was a descriptive cross‐sectional study of 322 consecutive new patients referred over 12 months. Data extraction included ORT scores, demographics, pain ratings, opioid, and other medication use at point of entry, diagnosis, and other variables. Characteristics were compared with those described in the original ORT study. Results The total mean ORT scores of patients in this study were related to several demographic (gender, age, marital status, and country of birth) and nondemographic variables (employment status, cigarette smoking, and contribution of biomedical and/or psychological factors to presentation). Prevalence of characteristics noted in this patient sample differed substantially from that found in W ebster and W ebster as the basis for ORT scores. Conclusion Significant differences existed between this study population and the patient sample from which the ORT was derived. Limitations of this study are discussed. We concur with the authors of the original study that the ORT may not be applicable in different pain populations and settings. Based on our findings, we encourage caution in interpreting the ORT in general CNCP settings until further studies are performed.