LAUSR

BACKGROUND Strong opioids can have unintended effects. Clinical studies of strong opioids mainly report physical side effects, psychiatric or opioid use disorders. To date, too little attention has been paid to the psychological effects of opioids to treat patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). This study aims to identify and measure (i) the nature and frequency of physical and psychological effects and (ii) the degree of physician counseling of patients with chronic noncancer pain taking strong opioids. METHODS Within a cross-sectional survey - conducted as part of a randomised controlled online intervention trial (ERONA) - 300 German CNCP patients were surveyed via patient-reported outcome measures regarding on both the side effects from their use of strong opioids as well as their counselling experience. RESULTS Among the patients' reported effects, the psychological outcomes of the opioids in CNCP were: feeling relaxed (84%), fatigue (76%), dizziness (57%), listlessness (37%), difficulty with mental activities (23%), dulled emotions (17%) and poor memory (17%). 92% of the patients reported having received information about opioid effects and 46% had discussed cessation of the opioid medication with their physicians before commencing the prescription. CONCLUSIONS In addition to the well-known physical side-effects, CNCP patients taking strong opioids experience significant psychological effects. In view of these effects, discontinuation of opioid therapy should be discussed early to ensure their benefits do not outweigh their harm.