University of Kentucky
Predictors of Successful Outcomes in Chronic Pain Patients
Institution
University of Kentucky
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Kenneth L. Kirsh; Peter Wright
Abstract
A total of 125 patient charts from The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass were audited using an Opioid Functioning Chart Audit Tool, which included the Pain Assessment and Documentation Tool (PADT) and the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT). The sample comprised 62 women and 63 men with an average age of 48.1 years (range = 20- 76). Most (94.3%) were Caucasian; a total of 74 (59.7%) were married and 30 (24.2%) were divorced. The most common pain concerns were low back (58.4%), leg (17.6%), and neck pain (16.8%). Average length of the pain concern was 8.8 years (range = 8 months to 36 years). According to the ORT, 40.3% had low risk for abuse or addiction, 36.3% had moderate risk, and 23.4% fell into a high risk category. Patients in the moderate to high risk category were more likely to have positive urine drug screens for illicit drugs (Chi-Square = 19.3, p<.0001). Overall, 30 (25%) had better functioning on opioid therapy while 80 (66.7%) remained the same. Pain scores did decrease from 7.2/10 to 5.3/10 with use of opioids. The treatment of chronic non-cancer pain with opioids has become common practice, but remains controversial. This study offers some insight that opioid management can lead to reduction in overall pain scores, but it is clear that more focus needs to be placed on increasing functionality in treating chronic pain and assessing risk profiles for abuse and addiction. Long-term, prospective trials are needed to help us better define appropriate candidates for opioid therapy.
Predictors of Successful Outcomes in Chronic Pain Patients
A total of 125 patient charts from The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass were audited using an Opioid Functioning Chart Audit Tool, which included the Pain Assessment and Documentation Tool (PADT) and the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT). The sample comprised 62 women and 63 men with an average age of 48.1 years (range = 20- 76). Most (94.3%) were Caucasian; a total of 74 (59.7%) were married and 30 (24.2%) were divorced. The most common pain concerns were low back (58.4%), leg (17.6%), and neck pain (16.8%). Average length of the pain concern was 8.8 years (range = 8 months to 36 years). According to the ORT, 40.3% had low risk for abuse or addiction, 36.3% had moderate risk, and 23.4% fell into a high risk category. Patients in the moderate to high risk category were more likely to have positive urine drug screens for illicit drugs (Chi-Square = 19.3, p<.0001). Overall, 30 (25%) had better functioning on opioid therapy while 80 (66.7%) remained the same. Pain scores did decrease from 7.2/10 to 5.3/10 with use of opioids. The treatment of chronic non-cancer pain with opioids has become common practice, but remains controversial. This study offers some insight that opioid management can lead to reduction in overall pain scores, but it is clear that more focus needs to be placed on increasing functionality in treating chronic pain and assessing risk profiles for abuse and addiction. Long-term, prospective trials are needed to help us better define appropriate candidates for opioid therapy.