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Opioids for persistent pain in older adults
1Sue Faulkner Scribner Professor of Geriatrics, Section Head, Palliative Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
|June 10, 2016
Summary
Opioid use for persistent pain in older adults is controversial. Balancing medical needs with risks like misuse and death requires collaboration between clinicians and regulators.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Pain Management
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Persistent pain affects a significant number of older adults.
- Opioid analgesics are commonly used for cancer and end-of-life pain.
- The use of opioids for non-cancer persistent pain in the elderly is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the controversy surrounding opioid use for persistent pain in older adults.
- To highlight the need for a balanced approach to opioid prescribing in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on opioid use in older adults with persistent pain.
- Analysis of risks and benefits of opioid analgesics in geriatric populations.
- Examination of regulatory and clinical perspectives on opioid prescribing.
Main Results:
- Opioid use in older adults for persistent pain presents a complex challenge.
- There is a recognized medical need for effective pain management in this population.
- Significant concerns exist regarding opioid misuse, morbidity, and mortality.
Conclusions:
- A collaborative effort between clinicians and regulators is essential.
- The approach to opioid prescribing must balance pain relief with safety concerns.
- Further research and guidelines are needed for responsible opioid management in older adults.
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