Table 1.
Characteristics of clinically significant pain in outpatients undergoing opioid agonist therapy for addiction (n = 237)
| Characteristic | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Pain intensity in past week | |
| Worst pain, mean (min, max)a | 7.9 ± 1.8 (1, 10) |
| Mild (1-4) pain level | 13 (9.5) |
| Moderate (5-6) pain level | 60 (43.8) |
| Severe (7-10) pain level | 64 (46.7) |
| Average pain, mean (min, max)a | 5.9 ± 1.9 (0, 10) |
| Mild (1-4) pain level | 26 (11.1) |
| Moderate (5-6) pain level | 105 (44.7) |
| Severe (7-10) pain level | 104 (44.3) |
| Any current pain treatments or strategiesb | |
| Yes | 196 (82.7) |
| No | 41 (17.3) |
| Use of pharmacologic strategies | |
| Prescribed opioid analgesicsb | 92 (38.8) |
| Prescribed non-opioid analgesicsb,c | 116 (48.9) |
| Over-the-counter-analgesicsb,d | 89 (37.7) |
| Use of non-pharmacologic strategies | |
| Prayere | 80 (33.8) |
| Vitamins/dietary supplementse | 70 (29.5) |
| Distraction techniquesb | 30 (12.7) |
| Relaxation techniquesb,f | 29 (12.3) |
| Herbal medications/supplementse | 26 (11.0) |
| Massagee | 22 (9.3) |
| Acupuncture/acupressuree | 11 (4.6) |
| Aromatherapye | 8 (3.4) |
| Homeopathye | 8 (3.4) |
| Chiropractice | 5 (2.1) |
| Reflexologye | 5 (2.1) |
| Energy healinge | 4 (1.7) |
| Biofeedback trainingb | 2 (0.8) |
| Hypnosisb | 2 (0.8) |
| Mean (SD) | |
| Pain interference | |
| General activity | 5.9 ± 2.9 |
| Mood | 6.4 ± 2.8 |
| Walking abilityf | 6.4 ± 3.3 |
| Normal workf | 6.1 ± 3.1 |
| Relations with other peoplef | 4.8 ± 3.2 |
| Sleepf | 6.4 ± 3.3 |
| Enjoyment of life | 6.2 ± 3.2 |
| Overall | 6.0 ± 2.3 |
| Outpatient visit for chronic pain with physician (in past 3 months)g | |
| Yes | 44 (35.5) |
| No | 80 (64.5) |
| Number of chronic pain outpatient visits with this physician (past 3 months)g |
|
| 1-3 visits | 36 (81.8) |
| 4-6 visits | 5 (11.4) |
| > 6 visits | 3 (6.8) |
a
Sample sizes for worst pain, n = 137; average pain, n = 235.
b
Measured with the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form in the past 7 days.
c
Including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen.
d
Sample size for over-the-counter-analgesics, n = 236.
e
Measured in the past 30 days.
f
Sample sizes for relaxation, walking; work; relations; sleep, n = 236.
g
Sample sizes for outpatient visits with physician, n =124; n = 44.