OBJECTIVE This study was designed to gain insight into the apparent contradiction between the perspectives of researchers and policy makers, who have questioned the efficacy and safety of chronic opioid therapy for non-cancer pain patients, and the patients themselves, who often indicate that the therapy has value. SUBJECTS A convenience sample of 54 patients on chronic opioid therapy was studied. METHODS Participants completed a questionnaire specifically designed for the study, and also several standard instruments that addressed functional interference, emotional functioning, and possible misuse of opioids. Their treating physicians rated the participants on the severity of their disability and the success of their opioid therapy. RESULTS Although participants reported significant ongoing pain, they gave positive global ratings to their opioid therapy, and reported little concern about addiction or side effects of opioids. They strongly endorsed the beliefs that opioids helped them control their pain and allowed them to participate in important activities such as work. They expressed the belief that their pain would be severe if they did not have access to opioids, and reported negative experiences with tapering or discontinuing opioids in the past. Work-disabled participants reported higher levels of affective distress, catastrophizing, and functional interference than working participants, and were judged by their physicians to be relatively less successful in managing their pain. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest several tentative hypotheses about why patients on chronic opioid therapy value opioids, and identified several areas for systematic investigation in the future.

BACKGROUND: Urine drug tests (UDTs) are recommended for patients on chronic opioid therapy (COT). Knowledge of the risk factors for aberrant UDT results could help optimize their use.OBJECTIVE: To identify primary care COT patient and opioid regimen characteristics associated with aberrant UDT results.DESIGN: Population-based observational.SAMPLE: 5,420 UDTs for Group Health integrated group practice COT patients.MEASURES: Group Health database measures of patient demographics, medical history, COT characteristics, and UDT results.RESULTS: Thirty percent of UDTs had aberrant results, including prescribed opioid non-detection (12.3 %), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 11.2 %), non-prescribed opioid (5.3 %), illicit drug (excluding THC; 0.6 %), non-prescribed benzodiazepine (1.7 %), and dilute (4.8 %). Adjusted odds ratios (95 % CI) of any aberrant result were higher for males than females (1.24 [1.07, 1.43]), patients with versus without prior substance use disorder diagnoses (1.42 [1.17, 1.72]), and current smokers versus nonsmokers (1.50 [1.30, 1.73]). Odds ratios were lower for patients aged 45-64 (0.77 [0.65, 0.92]) and 65+ (0.40 [0.32, 0.50]) versus patients aged 20-44 and for patients on long-acting opioids only (0.72 [0.55, 0.95]) or long-acting plus short-acting (0.67 [0.54, 0.83]) versus short-acting only. Adjusted odds of prescribed opioid non-detection were lower for patients aged 45-64 (0.79 [0.63, 0.998]) and 65+ (0.44 [0.32, 0.59]) versus patients aged 20-44, for those on 40-<120 mg daily morphine-equivalent dose (0.52 [0.39, 0.70]) or 120+ mg (0.22 [0.11, 0.43]) versus <40 mg, and for patients on long-acting (0.35 [0.21, 0.57]) or long-acting plus short-acting (0.35 [0.24, 0.50]) opioids (versus short-acting only); and odds ratios were higher for patients with versus without prior diagnoses of substance use disorder (1.70 [1.31, 2.20]).CONCLUSIONS: In this primary care setting, results were aberrant for 30 % of UDTs of COT patients, largely because of prescribed opioid non-detection and THC. Aberrant results of almost all types were more likely among patients under the age of 45. Other risk factors varied across aberrancies, but commonly included current smoking and prior substance use disorder diagnosis.

In response to epidemic levels of prescription opioid overdose, abuse, and diversion, routine urine drug tests (UDTs) are recommended for patients receiving chronic opioid therapy (COT) for chronic pain. However, UDT ordering for COT patients is inconsistent in primary care, and little is known about how to increase UDT ordering or the impact of increased testing on rates of aberrant results.

The quality and speed of recovery from anesthesia and surgery are a reflection of the anesthetic management of the patient as well as the type and duration of surgery and inherent characteristics of the patient involved. The recovery process is also influenced by the skills and procedures employed by those overseeing care of the patient during recovery. This article focuses on the procedural aspects of recovery and individual factors that contribute to making a smooth transition from the operating room to home.55, 81

Objective The provision of acute pain management for the chronic pain patient can pose a challenge. We sought to characterize management issues. Subjects/setting: An anonymous survey was distributed to 270 physicians and 212 nurses at University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) in an attempt to characterize management issues. Design Caregivers were queried regarding treatment modalities, efficacy of anxiolysis, patient attributes, concern of the quantity of medication, criteria for patient evaluation, and other management issues. Results Of the respondents, 61.8% were physicians, and 38.2% were nurses. The mean duration in practice was 7.7 years. The responses from the two groups were similar. Seventy-five percent reported using different pain-evaluation techniques for chronic pain patients than those utilized for the “average” patient. Pain scores were used frequently in the average patient, whereas ability to perform activities was used more commonly in the chronic pain patient (p < 0.0001). Half of the respondents expressed concern regarding the amount of medication used and level of sedation. The same proportion found anxiolysis to be a helpful adjunct. The use of a time-contingent “pain cocktail” as an oral medication was a useful strategy for 88% of respondents. The least labor-intensive modality reported was patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for 84.5% of respondents; intravenous opiate fusion, 5.3%; and epidural analgesia, 11.2%. Conclusions The survey describes caregiver concerns regarding this patient population, including medication use, sedation, length of hospital stay, and evaluation techniques.