Strong analgesics: working towards an optimal balance between efficacy and side effects.

摘要

Inadequately treated chronic pain remains a major cause of suffering. A recent survey found that moderate to severe chronic pain affects 19% of adult Europeans (Breivik et al, 2006). Other large scale surveys in Australia (Blyth et al., 2001), Denmark (Sj0gren et al., 2009) and Norway (Rustoen et al., 2004) have given similar results. These also represent a substantial socioeconomic burden (Dunn and Croft, 2004). Moreover, these surveys may underestimate the true incidence, because many patients paradoxically report their analgesia to be satisfactory despite being in pain. One study found that over 75% of patients declared themselves satisfied or very satisfied with their overall pain management, despite almost 50% reporting recent moderate to severe pain (Dawson et al., 2002).