Defined daily dose (DDD) is the most common measurement unit used in drug consumption studies. The DDD for opioids may not reflect their relative clinical potencies. aim of this study was to explore whether opioid data be interpreted differently when adding oral morphine equivalent (OMEQ) as a compared with using DDD.The equianalgesic ratio each tabulated. Data on expressed were converted OMEQs ratios. three different settings: from an switching study, trends within one country and...

Background: Patients with chronic non‐malignant pain (CNMP) conditions are known to report reduced health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective this exploratory study was compare HRQoL between patients admitted a multidisciplinary centre, palliative cancer (PC) and national norms. Methods: data from 288 CNMP the centre at Trondheim University Hospital were compared 434 advanced included in trial comprehensive care hospital medicine unit assessed using EORTC QLQ‐C30. Age‐...

Abstract Background: A high opioid consumption for cancer related and acute pain may indicate adequate treatment. Analysis of a national, compulsory complete database all dispensed prescription drugs in Norway (NorPD) reveal important epidemiological data on pattern opioids. This study investigated the prevalence dispensions 2004–2007 explored patterns use. Methods: All pharmacies submit electronically to NorPD prescriptions. prescriptions any individual are identified by unique pseudonym....

There are concerns about potential increasing use of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics. The aims this study were to examine 1) the prevalence self-reported OTC analgesics; 2) combining prescription analgesics drugs with and 3) whether lifestyle factors such as physical activity associated daily analgesic use.Questionnaire data from Nord-Trøndelag health (HUNT3, 2006-08), which includes 40,000 adult respondents. questionnaire included questions on analgesics, socioeconomic conditions, related...

In previous studies on prescription patterns of opioids, accurate data pain are missing, and epidemiological lack opioid use. The present linkage study, which investigates the relationship between use, is based individual from complete national Norwegian database Nord-Trøndelag health study 3, includes about 46,000 people. Baseline were collected in 2006 to 2008, cohort was followed up for 3 years. Of 14,477 people who reported chronic nonmalignant pain, 85% did not use opioids at all, 3%...

Background A growing proportion of the population is using opioids for longer time periods, but little known about characteristics patients who are persistent opioid users. We therefore studied association between socio-economic factors and vs. short-term use 4 years later. Methods The background complete Norwegian in 2001. study derived from two groups aged 35 or older 2001 met one following criteria 2005: (1) users (n = 15,113) (2) 214,061). applied definition corresponds to an average...

The aim of this study was to develop definitions identify persons with clinically different patterns persistent opioid use based on data from prescription databases.The is the Norwegian Prescription Database using all dispensed prescriptions during 2005-2008. Three were developed following patient criteria: levels amounts, number and quarters out year in which dispensed. three each have some typical characteristics attached them. strict definition describes a opioids achieve continuous serum...

When opioid therapy is initiated for a new pain condition, it may be unknown whether the will persist beyond time of tissue healing. The aim this study was to determine prevalence prescription patterns indicating persistent and/or problematic use in cohort opioid-naive patients starting with weak opioids. Data were drawn from nationwide Norwegian Prescription Database. population all users opioids receiving prescriptions 2005 nonmalignant pain. This followed until December 2008. In order...

Summary In a complete national cohort of persons starting opioids for chronic nonmalignant pain, only 24% the received 5 years later. Clinical studies short duration have demonstrated that strong improve pain control in selected patients with pain. However, high discontinuation rates and dose escalation during long-term treatment been indicated. The aim present study was to determine rates, escalation, patterns co-medication benzodiazepines. Norwegian Prescription Database provides data at...

Recent guidelines for opioid treatment of chronic non-malignant pain discourage co-medication with benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-related hypnotics, whereas non-opioid analgesics co-analgesics may offer a beneficial sparing effect, is recommended. The aim this study was to describe 1-year periodic prevalence benzodiazepines, analgesics, antidepressants in persistent users pain.The based on data from the Norwegian Prescription Database, covering all drugs dispensed outpatients 2008....

Twelve patients with poor pain control or unacceptable side effects during treatment morphine were switched to methadone and followed for nine months in this open prospective study. Primary outcomes patient preference opioid while physical, cognitive role functioning secondary outcomes. The dose was decreased by 1/3 daily replaced an equianalgesic of over a three-day period. During switching one-week titration period, given additional if required. one experienced sedation requiring naloxone....

Opioid prescription for pain relief is increasing. Codeine the dominating opioid in several European countries, with Norway being among highest codeine users.To determine whether primarily used acute or there a pattern indicating problematic use.All pharmacies are obliged to submit data electronically Norwegian Prescription Database at Institute of Public Health on all dispensed prescriptions. Because prescriptions identified unique person identifier, it possible identify one subject. All...

Abstract Background There are few studies on the use of opioids among children and adolescents. The aim this study was to determine 1‐year prevalence prescribed opioid dispensing in D enmark, N orway S weden, compare gender age differences weak strong between three countries. Methods Data were collected from websites complete national prescription databases All individuals aged 0–19 with at least one during period included. Results young years increased (2006–2012) enmark 2.5 3.4 per...

Bakgrunn . Postoperativ smertebehandling har betydning for pasientens velbefinnende og fremmer mobilisering, forkorter liggetid forebygger postoperative komplikasjoner. Basert på data om postoperativ smerte fra andre land, norske hos kreftpasienter samt klinisk erfaring, var det forventet at en betydelig andel av innlagte pasienter i sykehus opplever sterke smerter. Materiale metode. 215 inneliggende fordelt 14 deltok studie første døgnet. Studien er basert pasientenes egenrapporterte...

Background Prescription databases provide the opportunity for investigating opioid treatment and co‐medication within large populations. So far, few studies have investigated duration of therapy, differences in discontinuation rates been reported. Methods Data from Norwegian Database were used to follow study population all adult persistent users with non‐malignant pain Norway 2005 ( n = 44,867) 6 years. Persistent use was defined as being dispensed ≥ 180 daily doses (DDD) or 4500 mg oral...

Chronic pain due to surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy is prevalent in long-term cancer survivors. successful treatment should be treated as chronic nonmalignant pain, primarily with nonpharmacological strategies. Based on complete national data from the Cancer Registry of Norway and Norwegian prescription database, aim this study was compare use nonopioid analgesics, opioids, benzodiazepines 10 years after diagnosis survivors age- sex-adjusted general population. The 1-year periodic...