Chronic Pain

Excerpt

Over one-quarter of people in the United States (US) suffer from chronic pain—one of the most prevalent issues encountered in outpatient medical settings. However, inadequate management of chronic pain and the subsequent reliance on opioids contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Most patient visits in outpatient clinics are prompted by pain-related concerns, with over half seeking relief from their primary care provider. Hence, primary care providers must comprehensively understand chronic pain management. The US spends well over 100 billion dollars annually on healthcare expenses associated with pain management and opioid use disorders. This surpasses the combined expenses of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Managing a patient's chronic pain can significantly impact their quality of life. Chronic pain, defined as any pain persisting beyond 3 months, originates from various sources. Effective pain management often involves a combination of pharmacological treatments and nonpharmacological interventions. Research results indicate that multimodal combination therapy yields a more significant reduction in pain than relying solely on single treatments. Escalating pharmacological therapy is typically approached in a stepwise manner. Comorbid depression and anxiety frequently accompany chronic pain yet often go undiagnosed and untreated. Additionally, individuals with chronic pain face an elevated risk of suicide. The pervasive nature of chronic pain can detrimentally affect every aspect of a patient's life, potentially resulting in long-term disability and adverse outcomes. Consequently, diagnosing and appropriately managing chronic pain is a critical skill for healthcare professionals to cultivate.