Opioid therapy for chronic pain
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Management of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain Working Group. VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for management of opioid therapy for chronic pain. (DO NOT EDIT) [1]
Recommendations for patients with chronic pain (DO NOT EDIT) [1]
Assessment of patient |
"1. A trial of opioid therapy (OT) is indicated for a patient with chronic pain who meets all of the following criteria:
" |
"2. The ethical imperative is to provide the pain treatment with the best benefit-to-harm profile for the individual patient." |
Obtain Comprehensive Assessment Including: History, Physical Examination, and a Review of Diagnostic Studies
"(1) A comprehensive patient assessment should be completed to identify clinical conditions that may interfere with the appropriate and safe use of OT. The comprehensive assessment should include: Medical history
Physical examination
Review of diagnostic studies and assessments Evaluation of occupational risks and ability to perform duty {2) Information from the pain history and physical exam should be reviewed to ensure that the patient has had an adequate therapeutic trial of non-opioid medication therapies. (3) A urine drug test (UDT) (also referred to as urine drug screen [UDS]) should be used to screen for the presence of illegal drugs, unreported prescribed medication, or unreported alcohol use prior to starting therapy. (4) Patients on chronic OT should be assessed for suicide risk at onset of therapy and regularly thereafter. High suicide risk is a relative contraindication for OT. (5) OT should be used only after careful consideration of the risks and benefits. " |