Why carry out this study?

Opioids are a valuable tool in the control of both cancer- and non-cancer pain, although opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is an important limitation of treatment with opioids.

A survey involving patients being treated with opioids in Italy was carried out to better understand the impact of OIC on patient-reported outcomes.

What was learned from the study?

Many patients reported that management of OIC was inadequate, thus reinforcing the need for education of healthcare providers about OIC and its negative consequences.

Prescribers should be encouraged to actively ask patients about OIC at every follow-up visit.

Overcoming barriers to inadequate management of OIC thus provides the opportunity to improve the patient’s quality of life and lessen functional impairment, which is especially relevant given that effective treatment options, such as PAMORAs, are now part of a newly proposed algorithm for management of OIC.