Effect of a structured stretching exercise program on resolution of myofascial pain and opioid usage in "legacy pain" patients: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the implementation of a structured exercise stretching routine targeted at resolving myofascial pain is effective in improving outcomes of "legacy pain" patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Private community-based interventional pain management practice. SUBJECTS: "Legacy pain" patients, defined as patients on opioid therapy for >1 year. METHODS: Subjects were initiated on a structured home exercise stretching routine targeted at resolving myofascial pain consisting of 14 lumbar, four thoracic, and seven cervical stretches as appropriate. Daily morphine milligram equivalent, functional status (Oswestry Disability Index), and pain level (Numeric Rating Scale) were compared pre- and post-treatment at one year. RESULTS: After 1 year, exercise techniques reduced daily morphine milligram equivalent intake on average from 76.3 to 21.0 mg (p < 0.001) with 84.4% of patients decreasing their total opioid dose (p < 0.001) and 34.4% of patients being completely weaned off of opioids (p < 0.001). Numeric Rating Scale of pain and Oswestry Disability Indices were unchanged with treatment, 7.0-6.7 (p = 0.122) and 30.4-29.3 (p = 0.181), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a structured stretching exercise program focusing on the resolution of the myofascial pain in the treatment of "legacy pain" patients was shown to significantly reduce and often discontinue opioid use without adversely affecting pain score or functionality.

Randomized clinical trial comparing buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone for the treatment of patients with failed back surgery syndrome and opioid addiction.

Opioid analgesic consumption has led to an unprecedented epidemic of overdose death and opioid addiction in the US history. The treatment of chronic pain in patients with opioid addiction who receive prescriptions for opioid medications presents a clinical dilemma. Continuing opioid medication could result in hyperalgesia rendering opioids ineffective and results in iatrogenic therapeutic damage as evidenced by the worsening of addiction. Discontinuing opioid medications could result in severe pain and cravings that often leads the patient to the illicit market. This study compared methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone in patients with failed back surgery syndrome and opioid addiction. Nineteen participants were randomly assigned to methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone and were followed for 6 months. In an intent-to-treat analysis analgesia, craving, functioning, drug use, depression, and treatment retention were assessed monthly. It was planned to enroll 66 patients with failed back surgery syndrome and opioid addiction; however, enrollment was closed early due to suspected abuse of medications. Patients in both treatment conditions exhibited significantly improved 24-hour pain severity with up to 20% reduction of pain severity at the last follow-up (p < .05). However, patients receiving methadone reported significantly reduced current pain severity, whereas patients receiving buprenorphine/naloxone did not. Patients reported significantly improved functioning, fewer cravings, less opioid use, and depression (p < .05) across the treatment conditions. When given a choice between methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone, buprenorphine/naloxone is recommended due to its superior safety profile. Treatment with either needs to be monitored closely.

A retrospective analysis of treatment and retention outcomes of pregnant and/or parenting women with opioid use disorder.

AIM: To determine factors associated with positive outcomes of buprenorphine maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder among pregnant women and women with children under the age of five years. METHODS: This retrospective, de-identified electronic health record review of a cohort of 108 female patients at a suburban primary care outpatient clinic followed patients for one year of treatment at the clinic. Positive outcomes were defined as 1) treatment retention and 2) urine toxicology at 12 months free of all substances other than buprenorphine. This study also evaluated a variety of potential correlates of treatment retention and toxicology, including patient demographics, medical and social history, and clinical factors (i.e., participation in a women's group and assigned treatment provider). RESULTS: Patient retention was 73.2% at 12 months. Compared to those retained in treatment, patients not retained were more likely to have received past treatment for a psychiatric illness (65.4% vs. 38.2%; p < 0.02) or have prior criminal history of a misdemeanor conviction (56.0% vs. 27.9%; p < 0.02). There was a significant association between time in treatment and reduction in opiate use (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, certain baseline characteristics were predictive of failure to be retained in treatment. As such, specific patients may need more intensive treatment. These findings have important public health and child welfare implications and may offer insight for providers to tailor treatment and refer for comprehensive services.

A parenting education program for women in treatment for opioid-use disorder at an outpatient medical practice.

Opioid use during pregnancy poses serious risks for the mother and the unborn child. Opioid-use disorder may be managed with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in an outpatient setting, but few MAT practices specifically address the challenges faced by pregnant women. This article describes a medical office-based educational support group for women in MAT for opioid-use disorder who were pregnant and/or parenting young children. Focus groups were conducted to elicit patient feedback. Women indicated that they found the educational support groups beneficial and offered suggestions. In-office educational support groups for pregnant women in treatment for opioid-use disorder are feasible and well received.

Parenting and concerns of pregnant women in buprenorphine treatment.

PURPOSE: Opioid-dependent pregnant women are characterized by drug use during pregnancy and deficits in knowledge of newborn care and feeding, and of child development. We assessed parenting skills and concerns among pregnant women in buprenorphine treatment for prescription opioid dependence. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We interviewed 32 pregnant women who received buprenorphine treatment for prescription opioid dependence in a primary care setting and administered questionnaires, including the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory version 2 (AAPI-2) and Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. RESULTS: AAPI-2 scores revealed medium risk of abuse for all five scales: inappropriate expectations of the child, low level of empathy, strong belief in corporal punishment, reversal of parent-child roles, and oppression of children's power and independence. Primary concerns of participants were neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and their child's health. Pregnant women who received buprenorphine for treatment of prescription opioid dependence showed a lack of appropriate parenting skills, but did not express concern about their ability to parent. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest a need for nurses to assist prescription opioid-dependent pregnant women in acquiring additional parenting skills, to refer for educational parenting intervention, and to educate patients about NAS.

Primary care patient characteristics associated with completion of 6-month buprenorphine treatment.

BACKGROUND: Opioid addiction is prevalent in the United States. Detoxification followed by behavioral counseling (abstinence-only approach) leads to relapse to opioids in most patients. An alternative approach is substitution therapy with the partial opioid receptor agonist buprenorphine, which is used for opioid maintenance in the primary care setting. This study investigated the patient characteristics associated with completion of 6-month buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in an ambulatory primary care office. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 356 patients who received buprenorphine for treatment of opioid addiction was conducted. Patient characteristics were compared among completers and non-completers of 6-month buprenorphine treatment. RESULTS: Of the 356 patients, 127 (35.7%) completed 6-month buprenorphine treatment. Completion of treatment was associated with counseling attendance and having had a past injury. CONCLUSIONS: Future research needs to investigate the factors associated with counseling that influenced this improved outcome. Patients with a past injury might suffer from chronic pain, suggesting that buprenorphine might produce analgesia in addition to improving addiction outcome in these patients, rendering them more likely to complete 6-month buprenorphine treatment. Further research is required to test this hypothesis. Combination of behavioral and medical treatment needs to be investigated for primary care patients with opioid addiction and chronic pain.

Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain.

The approach to patients with acute pain begins by identifying the underlying cause and a disease-specific treatment. The first-line pharmacologic agent for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain is acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The choice between these two medications depends on the type of pain and patient risk factors for NSAID-related adverse effects (e.g., gastrointestinal, renovascular, or cardiovascular effects). Different NSAIDs have similar analgesic effects. However, cyclooxygenase-2 selective NSAIDs (e.g., celecoxib) must be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular risk factors and are more expensive than nonselective NSAIDs. If these first-line agents are not sufficient for mild to moderate pain, medications that target separate pathways simultaneously, such as an acetaminophen/opioid combination, are reasonable choices. Severe acute pain is typically treated with potent opioids. At each step, adjuvant medications directed at the underlying condition can be used. Newer medications with dual actions (e.g., tapentadol) are also an option. There is little evidence that one opioid is superior for pain control, but there are some pharmacologic differences among opioids. Because of the growing misuse and diversion of controlled substances, caution should be used when prescribing opioids, even for short-term treatment. Patients should be advised to properly dispose of unused medications.

Reimbursement and practice policies among providers of buprenorphine-naloxone treatment.

UNLABELLED: ABSTRACT Background: Physician acceptance of cash payment and low adherence to practice guidelines may contribute to buprenorphine-naloxone diversion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical practice policies of physicians who provide office-based treatment for opioid dependence with buprenorphine-naloxone. METHODS: Data were obtained from 31 of 71 practices surveyed (response rate 43.7%) that provided answers to at least some of the survey questions. RESULTS: Of these practices, 28 (90.3%) accepted cash as payment and 6 (19.4%) accepted only cash for treatment services. Analysis of open-ended responses to questions about office policies revealed wide variation among practices and overall suboptimal adherence to recommended treatment guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: These results underscore the need for continuing education for physicians who prescribe buprenorphine-naloxone.

A preliminary study comparing methadone and buprenorphine in patients with chronic pain and coexistent opioid addiction.

Patients with opioid addiction who receive prescription opioids for treatment of nonmalignant chronic pain present a therapeutic challenge. Fifty-four participants with chronic pain and opioid addiction were randomized to receive methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone. At the 6-month follow-up examination, 26 (48.1%) participants who remained in the study noted a 12.75% reduction in pain (P = 0.043), and no participants in the methadone group compared to 5 in the buprenorphine group reported illicit opioid use (P = 0.039). Other differences between the two conditions were not found. Long-term, low-dose methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone treatment produced analgesia in participants with chronic pain and opioid addiction.

Practices, perceptions, and concerns of primary care physicians about opioid dependence associated with the treatment of chronic pain.

When prescribing opioids to treat chronic pain, physicians face the dilemma of balancing effective pain management while avoiding iatrogenic opioid addiction. Through mailed surveys, the current study assessed concerns, perceptions, and practices of primary care physicians related to this dilemma. Of the 35 (43%) physicians that replied, 32 (91.4%) reported to prescribe opioids for pain. Twenty-six (81.3%) physicians mentioned that "legitimate pain" was the main reason why most patients who are opioid dependent begin using opioids. Most physicians (71.5%) rated their knowledge/comfort of treatment/management of opioid dependence as being low. Although these physicians believed training is essential to learning about the risks involved with chronic pain and opioid dependence, many of these physicians evaluated their own medical training in these areas as unsatisfactory. Training programs may better equip primary care physicians when addressing the treatment of chronic pain and addiction to opioids.

Parental prescription opioid abuse and the impact on children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify which characteristics of opioid-abusing parents were associated with greater global impairment of their children. METHODS: Data regarding participant demographics, drug use, and child demographics were collected from 14 patients in a chemical dependency unit who had at least one child between the ages of 4 and 17, inclusive. Child global impairment was measured by the parents' report using the Brief Impairment Scale (BIS). Regression analyses were conducted to assess which parental characteristics were associated with child BIS scores. RESULTS: The mean age of the 14 participants was approximately 40 years, 9 (64.3%) were women, and 12 (85.7%) were white. At the time of hospitalization, 12 (85.7%) had had prior substance abuse treatment, 9 (64.3%) had received prescription opioids through non-medical sources, and 9 (64.3%) had a criminal history. The mean BIS score of 24 children was 15.5, which is associated with moderate global impairment of function. Greater child BIS scores were associated with a number of parental characteristics, such as obtaining any prescription opioids through non-medical sources, having a greater number of arrests, previously using drugs intravenously, and having a greater number of prior substance abuse treatment episodes. CONCLUSIONS: By assessing these parental characteristics, clinicians may be able to assess children who are at risk for impairment and, in turn, may be in need of mental health services. Due to limitations of this study, further evaluation is needed.

Specialized training on addictions for physicians in the United States.

In the United States accredited residency programs in addiction exist only for psychiatrists specializing in addiction psychiatry (ADP); nonpsychiatrists seeking training in addiction medicine (ADM) can train in nonaccredited "fellowships," or can receive training in some ADP programs, only to not be granted a certificate of completion of accredited training. Information about ADP residency programs has been tabulated, but it is not available for ADM fellowships. The authors conducted a national survey to compile information about the location, structure, curriculum, and other characteristics of active ADM fellowships. Of the 40 accredited ADP residency programs, 7 offered training in addiction to nonpsychiatrists. The authors identified 14 nonaccredited ADM fellowships. In 2009 and 2010, there were approximately 15 nonpsychiatrists in ADP programs and 25 in ADM fellowships. Clinical experiences included inpatient services, outpatient treatment services such as methadone maintenance or buprenorphine maintenance, and providing addiction consult services. The most common academic activities included weekly lectures and the teaching of medical students.

A randomized trial of two behavioral interventions to improve outcomes following inpatient detoxification for alcohol dependence.

Participants (n=150), undergoing inpatient alcohol detoxification, were randomized into 3 groups: treatment as usual (TAU), motivation enhancement therapy (MET), or peer-delivered 12-step facilitation (P-TSF). The main outcome was the initiation of any type of subsequent rehabilitation service (i.e., professional treatment or self-help) within 30 and 90 days of discharge. At the 30-day follow-up interview, there was no significant difference among the groups in the rate of initiation of any type of subsequent care (82%, 74%, and 82%, respectively, p=0.617); however, the MET group had significantly more patients initiate subsequent inpatient treatment by the 90-day follow-up interview compared to the P-TSF group (31% and 61%, respectively, p=0.007) and a greater proportion of MET participants completed subsequent inpatient treatment compared to both the TAU and P-TSF groups. There were no differences in drinking-related outcomes. MET during inpatient detoxification may help patients initiate subsequent inpatient rehabilitation treatment.

A Clinical Trial Comparing Tapering Doses of Buprenorphine with Steady Doses for Chronic Pain and Co-existent Opioid Addiction.

OBJECTIVES: Effective strategies are needed to manage individuals with chronic non-cancer pain and coexistent opioid addiction. This study compared opioid discontinuation and opioid replacement protocols. METHODS: We planned to enroll 60 individuals into an open-label trial who had been treated with opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, and who also had opioid addiction. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two 6-month treatment protocols of buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets: 1) tapering doses for opioid weaning or "detoxification" (active comparator group) or 2) steady doses for opioid replacement (experimental group). They were followed monthly for the study outcomes: completion of the 6-month treatment protocol and self-reported pain control, physical functioning, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use. RESULTS: Enrollment was terminated after enrolling 12 participants because none of the 6 assigned to receive tapering doses could successfully complete the protocol (5 were given steady doses and 1 was admitted to an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program); whereas, of the 6 assigned to receive steady doses, 5 completed the protocol (1 withdrew). This difference between the 2 treatment conditions was significant (P = 0.015). Of the 10 participants who completed the 6 month follow-up, 8 reported improved pain control and physical functioning and 5 used alcohol and/or illicit drugs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that over 6 months, these participants with chronic pain and co-existent opioid addiction were more likely to adhere to an opioid replacement protocol than an opioid weaning protocol and that opioid replacement therapy with steady doses of buprenorphine/naloxone is associated with improved pain control and physical functioning.

Differences between adolescents who complete and fail to complete residential substance abuse treatment.

This study examined the admission characteristics associated with failure to complete residential substance abuse treatment among male adolescents. Of 160 admissions, 48 (30%) completed treatment. Having commercial health insurance (P= .005), having a family history of a substance use disorder (P= .05), and living with only one biological parent (P= .015) were admission characteristics associated with non-completion. Those reporting a history of physical or sexual abuse also appeared to be at risk for non-completion (P= .014); none of these participants completed the treatment. Interventions that improve residential substance abuse treatment retention for adolescents are needed.

Prescription opioid use among patients seeking treatment for opioid dependence.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess non-medical prescription opioid use among a sample of opioid dependent participants. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of patients hospitalized for medical management of opioid withdrawal. We collected data related to participant demographics, socio-economic characteristics, the age of first opioid use, types of opioids preferred, and routes of administration. We also asked participants to describe how they first began using opioids and how their use progressed over time. RESULTS: Among the 75 participants, the mean age was 32 years (SD: +/- 11, range: 18-70), 49 (65%) were men, 58 (77%) considered themselves to be "white," 55 (74%) had a high school diploma or equivalent, and 39 (52%) were unemployed. All of these participants considered themselves to be "addicted." Thirty-one (41%) felt that their addiction began with "legitimate prescriptions," 24 (32%) with diverted prescription medications, and 20 (27%) with "street drugs" from illicit sources; however, 69 (92%) had reported purchasing opioids "off the street" at some point in time. Thirty-seven (49%) considered heroin to be their current preferred drug, and 43 (57%) had used drugs intravenously. CONCLUSIONS: We found that many treatment-seeking opioid dependent patients first began using licit prescription drugs before obtaining opioids from illicit sources. Later, they purchased heroin, which they would come to prefer because it was less expensive and more effective than prescription drugs.

Self-help program components and linkage to aftercare following inpatient detoxification.

Many patients fail to initiate aftercare for addictive disease rehabilitation following detoxification. This study of 136 inpatients compared characteristics of those who initiated aftercare (behavior therapy or self-help programs) during the week following discharge with those who did not. Among this group of patients, 77% (91/119) linked to aftercare. Self-help treatment related components were associated with increased aftercare treatment attendance rates and included: having a copy of the "12 Steps" (81% vs. 46%, P = .002), having read self-help literature (73% vs. 42%, P = .007), and having telephone numbers of self-help program members (50% vs. 18%, P = .008). Those who initiated aftercare treatment were also more likely to have remained abstinent from drugs and alcohol (81% vs. 39%, P < .001). Having self-help treatment related components was associated with increased rates of aftercare attendance following hospital inpatient detoxification.

Integrating screening and interventions for unhealthy behaviors into primary care practices.

BACKGROUND: Four unhealthy behaviors (tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and risky alcohol use) contribute to almost 37% of deaths in the U.S. However, routine screening and interventions targeting these behaviors are not consistently provided in primary care practices. METHODS: This was an implementation study conducted between October 2005 and May 2007 involving nine practices in three geographic clusters. Each cluster of practices received a multicomponent intervention sequentially addressing the four behaviors in three 6-month cycles (unhealthy diet and physical inactivity were combined). The intervention included baseline and monthly audits with feedback; five training modules (addressing each behavior plus stages of change [motivational interviewing]); practice facilitation; and bimonthly quality-circle meetings. Nurses, medical assistants, or both were taught to do screening and very brief interventions such as referrals and handouts. The clinicians were taught to do brief interventions. Outcomes included practice-level rates of adoption, implementation, and maintenance. RESULTS: Adoption: Of 30 clinicians invited, nine agreed to participate (30%). IMPLEMENTATION: Average screening and brief-intervention rates increased 25 and 10.8 percentage points, respectively, for all behaviors. However, the addition of more than two behaviors was generally unsuccessful. Maintenance: Screening increases were maintained across three of the behaviors for up to 12 months. For both unhealthy diet and risky alcohol use, screening rates continued to increase throughout the study period, even during the periods when the practices focused on the other behaviors. The rate of combined interventions returned to baseline for all behaviors 6 and 12 months after the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that the translational strategy resulted in increased screening and interventions. There were limits to the number of interventions that could be added within the time limits of the project. Inflexible electronic medical records, staff turnover, and clinicians' unwillingness to allow greater nurse or medical-assistant involvement in care were common challenges.