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Ruggiero E, Pambuku A, Caccese M, Lombardi G, Gallio I, Brunello A, Ceccato F, Formaglio F. Case report: The lesson from opioid withdrawal symptoms mimicking paraganglioma recurrence during opioid deprescribing in cancer pain. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2023; 4:1256809. [PMID: 37810433 PMCID: PMC10556467 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1256809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is one of the predominant and troublesome symptoms that burden cancer patients during their whole disease trajectory: adequate pain management is a fundamental component of cancer care. Opioid are the cornerstone of cancer pain relief therapy and their skillful management must be owned by physicians approaching cancer pain patients. In light of the increased survival of cancer patients due to advances in therapy, deprescription should be considered as a part of the opioid prescribing regime, from therapy initiation, dose titration, and changing or adding drugs, to switching or ceasing. In clinical practice, opioid tapering after pain remission could be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms' onset. Animal models and observations in patients with opioid addiction suggested that somatic and motivational symptoms accompanying opioid withdrawal are secondary to the activation of stress-related process (mainly cortisol and catecholamines mediated). In this narrative review, we highlight how the lack of validated guidelines and tools for cancer patients can lead to a lower diagnostic awareness of opioid-related disorders, increasing the risk of developing withdrawal symptoms. We also described an experience-based approach to opioid withdrawal, starting from a case-report of a symptomatic patient with a history of metastatic pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ruggiero
- Pain Therapy and Palliative Care with Hospice Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Ardi Pambuku
- Pain Therapy and Palliative Care with Hospice Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Caccese
- Department of Oncology, Oncology Unit 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lombardi
- Department of Oncology, Oncology Unit 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Ivan Gallio
- Pain Therapy and Palliative Care with Hospice Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Brunello
- Department of Oncology, Oncology Unit 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Ceccato
- Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Fabio Formaglio
- Pain Therapy and Palliative Care with Hospice Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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Hlavin C, Muluk S, Muluk V, Ryan J, Wagner J, Dhupar R. A Program to Reduce Post-Operative Opioid Prescribing at a Veteran's Affairs Hospital. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11185453. [PMID: 36143098 PMCID: PMC9506192 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Variability in surgeon prescribing patterns is common in the post-operative period and can be the nidus for dependence and addiction. This project aims to reduce opioid overprescribing at the Veteran’s Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). The VAPHS Opioid Stewardship Committee collaborated to create prescribing guidelines for inpatient and outpatient general, thoracic, and vascular surgery procedures. We incorporated bundled order sets into the provider workflow in the electronic medical system and performed a retrospective cohort study comparing opioid prescription patterns for Veterans who underwent any surgical procedure for a three-month period pre- and post- guideline implementation. After implementation of opioid prescribing guidelines, morphine milligram equivalents (MME), quantity of pills prescribed, and days prescribed were statistically significantly reduced for procedures with associated guidelines, including cholecystectomy (MME 140.8 vs. 57.5, p = 0.002; quantity 18.8 vs. 8, p = 0.002; days 5.1 vs. 2.8, p = 0.021), inguinal hernia repair (MME 129.9 vs. 45.3, p = 0.002; quantity 17.3 vs. 6.1, p = 0.002; days 5.0 vs. 2.4, p = 0.002), and umbilical hernia repair (MME 128.8 vs. 53.8, p = 0.002; quantity 17.1 vs. 7.8, p = 0.002; days 5.1 vs. 2.5, p = 0.022). Procedures without associated recommendations also preceded a decrease in overall opioid prescribing. Post-operative opioid prescribing guidelines can steer clinicians toward more conscientious opioid disbursement. There may also be reductions in prescribing opioids for procedures without guidelines as an indirect effect of practice change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callie Hlavin
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Sruthi Muluk
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Visala Muluk
- Department of Medicine, Veteran’s Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - John Ryan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wagner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Veteran’s Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - Rajeev Dhupar
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Correspondence:
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Hayes J, Johnston B, Barenboim H, Tempe M. Evidence based opioid weaning with behavioral support - Forum for Behavioral Science Edition. Int J Psychiatry Med 2022; 57:403-412. [PMID: 35801396 DOI: 10.1177/00912174221114245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Nationally published guidelines state that many patients prescribed chronic opioids would benefit from gradually reducing and/or eliminating their use of these medications. This is easier said than done. Patients are often resistant or fearful, physicians are often uncomfortable prescribing an opioid taper, and patients often do not get the needed behavioral health support in this process. It is critical to develop a comprehensive behavioral and medical plan, however the field lacks practical approaches to guide physicians (and patients) through this challenge. In this manuscript our team of primary care providers and behaviorists walk through a case involving complex opioid weaning in a Family Medicine residency clinic environment. Through the lens of our patient's case, we will discuss best practices for getting patient buy-in, opioid weaning strategies, behavioral support during the wean, identifying co-morbid opioid use disorders, and deciding on acceptable end points for the taper.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hayes
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, 184705Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Bryan Johnston
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, 184705Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Hernan Barenboim
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, 184705Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Mario Tempe
- Resident Physician, Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Family Medicine Residency Program, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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You DS, Mardian AS, Darnall BD, Chen CYA, De Bruyne K, Flood PD, Kao MC, Karnik AD, McNeely J, Porter JG, Schwartz RP, Stieg RL, Mackey SC. A Brief Screening Tool for Opioid Use Disorder: EMPOWER Study Expert Consensus Protocol. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:591201. [PMID: 33869240 PMCID: PMC8044786 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.591201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing concerns about the safety of long-term opioid therapy and its uncertain efficacy for non-cancer pain have led to relatively rapid opioid deprescribing in chronic pain patients who have been taking opioid for years. To date, empirically supported processes for safe and effective opioid tapering are lacking. Opioid tapering programs have shown high rates of dropouts and increases in patient distress and suicidal ideation. Therefore, safe strategies for opioid deprescribing that are more likely to succeed are urgently needed. In response to this demand, the EMPOWER study has been launched to examine the effectiveness of behavioral medicine strategies within the context of patient-centered opioid tapering in outpatient settings (https://empower.stanford.edu/). The EMPOWER protocol requires an efficient process for ensuring that collaborative opioid tapering would be offered to the most appropriate patients while identifying patients who should be offered alternate treatment pathways. As a first step, clinicians need a screening tool to identify patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and to assess for OUD severity. Because such a tool is not available, the study team composed of eight chronic pain and/or addiction experts has extended a validated screening instrument to develop a brief and novel consensus screening tool to identify OUD and assess for OUD severity for treatment stratification. Our screening tool has the potential to assist busy outpatient clinicians to assess OUD among patients receiving long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokyoung S You
- Department Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Aram S Mardian
- Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Beth D Darnall
- Department Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Chwen-Yuen A Chen
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Korina De Bruyne
- Division of Primary, Preventive, and Community Care, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Pamela D Flood
- Department Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Ming-Chih Kao
- Department Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Anita D Karnik
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Jennifer McNeely
- Department of Population Health, Section on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joel G Porter
- Intermountain Healthcare, Family Medicine, Layton, UT, United States
| | | | | | - Sean C Mackey
- Department Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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