Changes in pain intensity after discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain.

ABSTRACT: Little is known about changes in pain intensity that may occur after discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). The objective of this study was to characterize pain intensity after opioid discontinuation over 12 months. This retrospective U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data study identified N = 551 patients nationally who discontinued LTOT. Data over 24 months (12 months before and after discontinuation) were abstracted from VA administrative records. Random-effects regression analyses examined changes in 0 to 10 pain numeric rating scale scores over time, whereas growth mixture models delineated pain trajectory subgroups. Mean estimated pain at the time of opioid discontinuation was 4.9. Changes in pain after discontinuation were characterized by slight b

SUBMITTER: McPherson S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6993952 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature