Opioids do not improve physical function

According to a study conducted by Canadian researchers, opioids therapy does not improve physical functions in neuropathic pain patients. Surprisingly, patients who were not on any opioids had significantly lower disability with higher physical functioning scores, the study reported.

Although, opioids are potent pain killers, it does not guarantee an improved function after therapy, said Dr. Goeff Bostick, associate professor at the University of Alberta, Canada.

Opioids can improve pain symptoms. If it don’t improve physical functions and associated quality of life, the use of opioids in such patients should be questioned, the researcher noted.

The study followed-up 789 Canadian neuropathic pain patients. The patients were surveyed about physical functions improvement before treatment, at six and 12 months after opioids therapy. Although pain improvement was reported, no statistically significant improvement in physical activity scores were reported.

The study results were published in the journal Pain Medicine.