Opioid therapy in the treatment of chronic pain conditions in Germany.

摘要: BACKGROUND Primarily used for treating malignant pain, opioids are recently applied chronic non-tumor pain. For the lack of evidence based strategies from long-term studies, discussed controversially, esp. considering cost-benefit. OBJECTIVES The purpose this study is to evaluate characteristics in prescribing tumor and pain conditions. STUDY DESIGN Cost effectiveness study/observational SETTING/METHODS: Health insurance data a German statutory health company (N = 6.800.000, acquisition 2006 2010) was evaluated by assigning opioid prescriptions certain related diagnoses using CART (Classification And Regression Tree) segmentation analysis. Age- gender-specific were calculated. RESULTS number increased linearly. Prescriptions mild decreasing but increasing while strong both nontumor Differences occurred terms duration kind preferred substances, including considerations common contraindications (e.g. somatoform disorders). majority being prescribed fentanyl patches 40 45 year old males with average annual costs 1833 Euros per patient. Out 21000 patients disorder, 44.4% treated (20.7% mild, 23.7% opioids). LIMITATIONS results did not consider if medication actually taken patients. Another difference representativeness might occur since gender distribution varies between official statistical collected company. Because data, no conclusions about possible correlation syndromes educational social classes possible. Tumor who received an prescription could be excluded. CONCLUSIONS While overall expenditure companies increased, it remains unknown which patient receiving particular medication. Prescribing behavior often consistent indications contraindications.