Table 1.
Potential evidence-based indications for opioids.
| Pain syndrome | 4–12 weeks | 13–26 weeks | >26 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic low back pain | Level of evidence: 1a Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: Weak for |
Level of evidence: 1a Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: weak for* |
Level of evidence: 1b/2a Quality of evidence: low Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Osteoarthritis pain | Level of evidence: 1a Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: weak for |
Level of evidence: 1a Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: weak for* |
Level of evidence: 2a Quality of evidence: Low Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Painful diabetic polyneuropathy | Level of evidence: 1a Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: strong for |
Level of evidence:5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 2b Quality of evidence: low Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Postherpetic neuralgia | Level of evidence: 1a Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: weak for |
Level of evidence:5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: low Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Phantom limb pain | Level of evidence: 1b Quality of evidence: very low Strength of recommendation: weak for |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Chronic pain after spinal cord injury | Level of evidence: 1b Quality of evidence: very low Strength of recommendation: weak against |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Radicular pain | Level of evidence: 1b Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: open |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Painful nondiabetic polyneuropathies | Level of evidence: 1b Quality of evidence: low to very low Strength of recommendation: weak for |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: very low Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Chronic pain in rheumatoid arthritis | Level of evidence: 1b Quality of evidence: very low Strength of recommendation: open |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Restless legs syndrome | Level of evidence: 1b Quality of evidence: very low Strength of recommendation: weak for |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
| Parkinson disease | Level of evidence: 1b Quality of evidence: very low Strength of recommendation: weak against |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
Level of evidence: 5 Quality of evidence: NA Strength of recommendation: open* |
*
If positive therapy response is present (predefined goals of treatment reached and tolerable side effects).
NA, not assessed.