A new study took a closer look at some of the concerns patients and providers have when it comes to older adults taking opioids for chronic pain, and the results show that the groups have some different underlying concerns about opioid use.

When patients were asked about the risks associated with long-term opioid use, older adults were more likely to express concerns about becoming addicted to the medication. When providers were asked the same question, their concerns centered around adverse events associated with how the medication may affect the individual, like a balance issue causing a devastating fall.

Plenty Of Similar Thoughts

Despite that main difference, providers and patients agreed on a number of different subjects in regards to opioid use for older adults with chronic pain. Areas of agreement include:

• Conversations about “deprescribing” can be difficult and oftentimes unsuccessful.
• Opioids as a treatment of last resort is OK.
• The goal of pain therapy is to improve patients’ comfort and functional ability.
• Trust is paramount in the doctor-patient relationship.

The new study decided to focus on older adults because they are the group with the greatest prevalence of prescription opioid use for chronic pain. Study researchers pointed to earlier data from 2019 that found that 15 percent of Americans age 65 and up had received an opioid prescription and 5 percent had been using the drugs chronically. While it’s encouraging that older adults are aware of some of the potential pitfalls of opioid use, they may be overlooking some of the more pressing concerns that are obvious to providers.

Doctors in the study went on to describe some other issues they regularly face that we’ve also seen first hand here in Minnesota and even in our office. One concern doctors regularly brought up were the challenges associated with deprescribing a patient. While patient reluctance was oftentimes an issue, other concerns also muddied the water. Doctors said that these conversations were often time-consuming and difficult to fit into the time allotted for the patient visit. Additionally, many patients had other pressing concerns during these appointments that took precedence over the prospect of weaning a patient off opioids. Finally, doctors also noted that in some situations there aren’t a lot of reliable alternatives for patients who are looking to move away form an opioid regimen, further complicating the matter.

It’s great that this study took a closer look at some of the opinions and attitudes on both sides of the equation when it comes to treating older adults with chronic pain with an opioid regimen. Hopefully these answers can guide future conversations and lead us to find new solutions to the challenges facing patients and providers battling the chronic pain crisis.

In the meantime, if you want a provider who will do everything in their power to listen to your concerns and help you find a solution to your chronic pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.