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Opioids Resistance in Chronic Pain Management
Luigi A Morrone1,2, Damiana Scuteri1, Laura Rombolà1
1Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
Current Neuropharmacology
|May 16, 2017
Summary
Chronic pain affects millions globally, with current treatments often inadequate. Understanding molecular mechanisms of opioid resistance is crucial for developing better pain management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chronic pain is a significant global health issue, impacting ~20% of European adults, particularly women and the elderly.
- Current community-based chronic pain management is often unsatisfactory, with limited efficacy of available analgesics.
- Long-term opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain lacks robust evidence and is associated with significant side effects and inter-individual variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the unmet need for effective chronic pain management.
- To underscore the limitations of current analgesic therapies, especially opioids.
- To emphasize the necessity of understanding molecular mechanisms of opioid resistance for improved pain control.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on chronic pain prevalence and management challenges.
- Analysis of current evidence regarding long-term opioid efficacy and safety.
- Identification of knowledge gaps in molecular mechanisms of opioid resistance.
Main Results:
- Chronic pain prevalence is high, with significant demographic disparities.
- Opioid efficacy for long-term chronic non-cancer pain is limited and controversial.
- Inter-individual variability and side effects hinder effective opioid therapy.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of chronic pain remains a critical challenge.
- A deeper understanding of the molecular basis of opioid resistance is mandatory.
- Further research into novel therapeutic targets is essential for better chronic pain control.
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