Narcotic drugs (opioids) are commonly prescribed for short-term relief of chronic back pain, but their effectiveness long-term has been questioned in a review article by researchers at the School of Medicine, who also found that behavior consistent with opioid abuse was reported in 24% of cases.

"Patients with chronic back pain commonly request pain medication, and opioid medications are used despite the concerns clinicians have with patients developing an addiction to these medications," says first author Dr. Bridget Martell, assistant clinical professor of general internal medicine at the School of Medicine. "Our findings suggest that clinicians should consider other treatments with similar benefits but fewer long-term adverse effects." The study was published in the Jan. 16 Annals of Internal Medicine.

Martell and co-authors conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis that addressed the prevalence and effectiveness of opioid prescriptions for patients with chronic back pain, and the incidence of substance abuse disorders among patients receiving opioid medications for chronic back pain.

The study populations consisted of non-obstetric patients over age 18 with non-malignant chronic back pain lasting for at least three months. The research focused on efficacy of oral, transdermal or topical opioids, where there was no pre-existing diagnosis of opioid dependence.

According to the report, opioids may be effective for the short-term (less than four months) treatment of chronic low back pain, but long-term effectiveness was not conclusive.

"Our results also demonstrate that the quality of the literature on these topics is generally weak and more studies need to be done before firm conclusions can be made," says Martell.

In addition to Martell and corresponding author Dr. David Fiellin, associate professor of general internal medicine at Yale, other authors on the study included Dr. Patrick G. O'Connor, Robert D. Kerns, Dr. William C. Becker, Knashawn H. Morales and Dr. Thomas R. Kosten.

-- By Karen Peart

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale opens PET Center

Music historian wins Mellon Award

Urry: Physics has 'transformed the way we live'

Yale studies cited among top 10 breakthroughs of 2006

Office of Business Transition to help lead transformation of . . .

ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS

• Haun Saussy appointed as Bird White Housum Professor
  
  
• Ellen Rosand is designated as George A. Saden Professor
  
  
• Katie Trumpener is appointed as Emily Sanford Professor
  
  

In Memoriam: Economic historian Henry Broude

Junior faculty member Glenn Micalizio named Eli Lilly Grantee

Conference to explore documentary films on Iraq war

Exhibit features recent work by British painter Howard Hodgkin

Saybrook College to host teas with four distinguished journalists

Malaysian artist's work in batik is featured in ISM exhibition

Reopening gala kicks off center's Black History Month events

Sterling Library exhibit showcases images of 'Disappearing Africa'

English department to present staged reading of four plays . . .

Study questions use of addictive opioids for . . . treatment of back pain

The impact of open standards to be explored

DeVane Lectures location changed

Campus Notes

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