Der Schmerz
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Review Meta Analysis
[Methodology of the development of the updated LONTS guidelines for long-term administration of opioids in noncancer pain.]
The update of the German S3 guidelines on long-term opioid therapy of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP), the"LONTS" (AWMF registration number 145/003) was scheduled for May 2014. ⋯ The guidelines will be published in several forms: complete and short scientific versions, as well as clinical practice and patient versions.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
[Opioids in chronic low back pain : A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy, tolerability and safety in randomized placebo-controlled studies of at least 4 weeks duration.]
The efficacy and safety of opioid therapy in chronic low back pain (CLBP) is under debate. We updated a recent systematic review on the efficacy and safety of opioids in CLBP. ⋯ Opioids were superior to placebo in terms of efficacy and inferior in terms of tolerability. Opioids and placebo did not differ in terms of safety during the study period. The conclusion on the safety of opioids compared to placebo is limited by the low number of serious adverse events and deaths. Short-term and intermediate-term opioid therapy may be considered in selected CLBP patients. The English full-text version of this article is freely available at SpringerLink (under "Supplemental").
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
[Long-term opioid therapy in chronic noncancer pain : A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy, tolerability and safety in open-label extension trials with study duration of at least 26 weeks.]
The efficacy and safety of long-term (≥ 6 months) opioid therapy (LtOT) in chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is under debate. A systematic review with meta-analysis of the efficacy and harms of opioids in open-label extension studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has not been conducted until now. ⋯ Only a minority of patients selected for opioid therapy at randomization finished the long-term open-label study. However, sustained effects of pain reduction could be demonstrated in these patients. LtOT can be considered in carefully selected and monitored CNCP patients who experience clinically meaningful pain reduction with at least tolerable AE in short-term opioid therapy. The English full-text version of this article is freely available at SpringerLink (under "Supplementary Material").
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The regular update of the German S3 guidelines on long-term opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP), the"LONTS" (AWMF registration number 145/003), began in November 2013. ⋯ Responsible application of opioid-containing analgesics requires consideration of possible indications and contraindications, as well as regular assessment of efficacy and adverse effects. Neither an uncritical increase in opioid application, nor the global rejection of opioid-containing analgesics is justified in patients with CNCP.
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Elderly live in nursing homes if the necessary need for care cannot be realized in the home care setting. Dementia syndrome (60 % of nursing home residents) has a prominent role. Pain is a frequent problem in nursing homes, affecting functionality and quality of life. ⋯ Not only is the presentation of pain often atypical, but pharmacological and invasive pain therapy is limited by multimorbidity and increased risk of side effects. Nonpharmacological pain therapy is part of nursing therapy; however, the effect on nursing home residents has been insufficiently studied. This situation necessitates interprofessional coordination of all team members, in which the nursing pain assessment and the realization of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain therapy are very important.