Journal of opioid management
-
To determine the relationship between urine drug testing (UDT) frequency and patient adherence for prescribed buprenorphine, carisoprodol, fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, and oxycodone. ⋯ Adherence for prescribed medications is higher with frequent urine monitoring. UDT can be used as tool that may help improve this in patients with chronic pain.
-
Slow release (SR) opioids around the clock are the mainstay for moderate to strong cancer pain. This recommendation is not scientifically based. Therefore, a phase 1 pilot study of rapid acting nasal fentanyl (NF) taken on demand as the only opioid for cancer pain to explore feasibility and safety aspects was launched. ⋯ This explorative study suggests that it is reasonable that the concept of treating pain in patients with cancer using NF on demand can undergo controlled clinical studies.
-
Review
Treatment of opioid-related central sleep apnea with positive airway pressure: a systematic review.
To systematically review the various modalities of positive airway pressure (PAP) in the treatment of opioid-related central sleep apnea (CSA). ⋯ The available evidence on the efficacy of PAP in opioid-related CSA is inconclusive. With the increasing use of opioids, further studies are needed to assess optimal PAP therapy and predictors of success in this group of patients.
-
A Smartphone app could be useful in aiding patients in self-monitoring and self-managing their chronic pain-related symptoms. The purpose of this study was to systematically review English-language pain-related Smartphone apps available for download in the United States. ⋯ Overall, most of the pain-related apps included within our review not only lacked evidence of HCP input regarding development but also contained few evidence-based pain management features.