CNCP [Chronic Noncancer Pain]

"Two (2.5%) patients reported a general increase in physical function on cessation of opioids. In a recent reappraisal of opioids in CNCP, it was questioned whether palliation or rehabilitation should be the main issue to consider when prescribing[12]. It has been suggested that increased physical function should be a mandatory requirement for opioid therapy to be considered successful [3,27]. However, it should be remembered that persistent pain can cause significant impairment to physical function. Furthermore, if the choice is between minimal function accompanied by severe pain or minimal function accompanied by mild or no pain, then surely, for most patients, the choice would be the latter."

-- "A Survey of Chronic Noncancer Pain Patients Prescribed Opioid Analgesics" by David T. Cowan, BSc (Hons), PhD, Jenifer Wilson-Barnett, SRN, FRCN, FKCL, DBE, PhD, Peter Griffiths, RGN, BA (Hons), PhD, and Laurie G. Allan, MRCS, LRCP, MBBS, FRCA, Pain Medicine Volume 4 Number 4 2003