Study, May/17: "Long-term opioid therapy in Denmark: A disappointing journey"

RESULTS:

"The incidence of long-term opioid therapy (L-TOT) was substantially higher in CNCP patients at baseline than in others (9/1000 vs. 2/1000 person-years). Smoking behaviour and dispensed benzodiazepines were significantly associated with initiation of L-TOT in individuals with CNCP at baseline. During follow-up, L-TOT in CNCP patients increased the likelihood of negative changes in pain interference with work (OR 9.2; 95% CI 1.9-43.6) and in moderate activities (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.1-12.6). The analysis of all individuals indicated a dose-response relationship between longer treatment duration and the risk of experiencing negative changes."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28481052