Adequacy of Opioid Use in the Treatment of Chronic Pain in a Primary Care District

According to Lagley et al, in its study on prevalence and pain treatment, the prevalence of pain in the general Spanish population is 17.25%. According to previous studies, pain interferes with the completion of usual work, mood and relationship with others. These patients are common to have other associated symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue or depression that influence mood. The presence of these symptoms makes it difficult to assess the pain, due to their emotional and subjective component. Moderate-high intensity pain is a common symptom in patients with diseases of diverse etiology. The most common chronic pain occurs in patients with degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. Pain treatment, in these cases, is the responsibility of the family doctor. Prescribing opioids for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) has increased steadily in recent decades. The level of improved training of some professionals in the management of opioids, the fear of adverse effects from long-term opioid use, the assessment of incomplete pain associated with inadequate prescribing and the high degree of non-compliance by patients have led to inadequate management of CNCP.

Author(s): Calle-Cruz L F, Montero-Torrejon J C, Jodar Casanova C and Luque-Romero L G

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