Minneapolis VA Health Care System researchers found opioids and non-opioid medication achieve comparable results for effectively treating chronic back and osteoarthritis pain.
Researchers conducted a randomized study of 240 veterans. They evaluated patients 12 months after therapy.
Here are five quick notes:
1. Both treatments had similar outcomes concerning pain interference with activities.
2. Opioids and non-opioids had similar overall adverse symptoms.
4. Non-opioid medication had slightly better pain intensity and medication-related adverse symptoms.
5. The study is the first to evaluate long-term opioid therapy's effectiveness, according to the study researchers.
