Linked Life Data

21893626

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/21893626

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
2011-9-6
pubmed:abstractText
In the past 20 years, primary care physicians have greatly increased prescribing of long-term opioid therapy. However, the rise in opioid prescribing has outpaced the evidence regarding this practice. Increased opioid availability has been accompanied by an epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose. The rate of opioid addiction among patients receiving long-term opioid therapy remains unclear, but research suggests that opioid misuse is not rare. Recent studies report increased risks for serious adverse events, including fractures, cardiovascular events, and bowel obstruction, although further research on medical risks is needed. New data indicate that opioid-related risks may increase with dose. From a societal perspective, higher-dose regimens account for the majority of opioids dispensed, so cautious dosing may reduce both diversion potential and patient risks for adverse effects. Limiting long-term opioid therapy to patients for whom it provides decisive benefits could also reduce risks. Given the warning signs and knowledge gaps, greater caution and selectivity are needed in prescribing long-term opioid therapy. Until stronger evidence becomes available, clinicians should err on the side of caution when considering this treatment.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
1539-3704
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
6
pubmed:volume
155
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
325-8
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2011
pubmed:articleTitle
Long-term opioid therapy reconsidered.
pubmed:affiliation
Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA. vonkorff.m@ghc.org
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural