The Prescribed Opioids Difficulties Scale
- 1 July 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in The Clinical Journal of Pain
- Vol. 26 (6), 489-497
- https://doi.org/10.1097/ajp.0b013e3181e103d9
Abstract
Objectives Chronic opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain has increased dramatically in recent years. Research on associated risks has typically focused on opioid abuse and dependence, and opioid misuse or aberrant drug use behaviors, but these risks have been defined from the providers' perspective. The aim of this article was to develop a psychometrically sound method for assessing difficulties patients attribute to chronic opioid therapy. Methods A cross-sectional, observational study of patients prescribed opioids for chronic noncancer pain was conducted in a large integrated service delivery network in Washington State. Data were obtained from a phone interview and electronic health records including pharmacy data. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using a split sample design. Results The interview response rate was 56.5% and a total of 1144 patients were included in analyses. A 2 factor solution was obtained and replicated with excellent fit statistics. Two correlated factors were identified—opioid control concerns and psychosocial problems—with 50% of the sample reporting difficulties with prescribed opioids: 24% reported elevated psychosocial problems and 36% reported elevated concerns about controlling their use of prescribed opioids. Discussion The Prescribed Opioid Difficulties Scale identifies common difficulties that patients ascribe to chronic opioid therapy. This scale may provide both an entry point and a framework for a patient-centered clinical dialog about the pros and cons of use of opioid medicines for managing chronic pain.Keywords
This publication has 35 references indexed in Scilit:
- Trends in prescribed opioid therapy for non-cancer pain for individuals with prior substance use disordersPain, 2009
- Measurement of opioid problems among chronic pain patients in a general medical populationDrug and Alcohol Dependence, 2009
- Trends in long‐term opioid therapy for chronic non‐cancer painPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 2009
- Patterns of Abuse Among Unintentional Pharmaceutical Overdose FatalitiesJama-Journal Of The American Medical Association, 2008
- Trends in prescription drug abuse and dependence, co-occurrence with other substance use disorders, and treatment utilization: Results from two national surveysAddictive Behaviors, 2008
- Trends in use of opioids for non-cancer pain conditions 2000–2005 in Commercial and Medicaid insurance plans: The TROUP studyPain, 2008
- De Facto Long-term Opioid Therapy for Noncancer PainThe Clinical Journal of Pain, 2008
- Recent changes in drug poisoning mortality in the United States by urban–rural status and by drug typePharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 2008
- Major increases in opioid analgesic abuse in the United States: Concerns and strategiesDrug and Alcohol Dependence, 2006
- Opioid use in the treatment of chronic pain: Assessment of addictionJournal of Pain and Symptom Management, 1993