Use of strong opioids for chronic pain in osteoarthritis: an insight into the Latin American reality

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of arthritis and one of the main causes of chronic pain. Although opioids are frequently employed for chronic pain treatment, their usage for osteoarthritis pain remains controversial due to the associated adverse effects. Most guidelines reserve their use for refractory pain in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. The situation is even more complex in Latin America, where the prevalence of insufficient pain treatment is high because of the limited availability and use of strong opioids.

Areas covered: In this article we review the epidemiology of osteoarthritis, its socioeconomic burden, its impact as a chronic pain cause and the pharmacological treatment options, giving emphasis to the role of strong opioids, their safety and efficacy, especially in Latin American countries, where restrictions regulate their usage.

Expert commentary: Usage of strong opioids is safe and effective in the short-term management of osteoarthritis with moderate to severe pain, when other pharmacological treatments are inadequate and surgery is contraindicated, provided their use adheres to existing guidelines. Educational programs for patients and physicians and further research on treating chronic pain with opioids should be implemented to reduce adverse effects and improve care quality.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic pain
• Latin America
• osteoarthritis
• strong opioids

Declaration of Interest

MA Ruiz Iban has received funding from Grunenthal as consulting fees for writing this manuscript and not directly related to this manuscript has received Consulting fees from Zimmer-Biomet, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Esteve, Pfizer, Smith&Nephew, Vitor Pharma, Grunenthal, MSD, has received teaching honoraria from Astelas, Zimmer-Biomet, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Esteve, Futurimplant, Grunenthal, Smith&Nephew, and received financial support for research from Zimmer-Biomet, Grunenthal, Pfizer, Smith&Nephew, MSD. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Writing and editorial assistance was provided by Content Ed Net (Madrid, Spain) with funding from Grünenthal Services, Inc.Expert’s meeting have been supported by an educational grant from Grünenthal.