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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 3 of 3 Research Studies DisplayedPritchard KT, Baillargeon J, Lee WC
Trends in the use of opioids vs nonpharmacologic treatments in adults with pain, 2011-2019.
This serial cross-sectional analysis on trends in the use of prescription opioids and nonpharmacologic alternatives in treating pain used MEPS to estimate the use of outpatient services by cancer-free adults with chronic or surgical pain from 2011 to 2019. A total of unweighted 46,420 respondents, 9643 (20.4% weighted) received surgery and 36,777 (79.6% weighted) did not. The prevalence of nonpharmacologic treatments increased in 2019 for both chronic and surgical pain cohorts, especially with exclusive use compared with 2011. Chiropractors and physical therapists were the most common licensed healthcare professionals used among the cohort who used nonpharmacologic treatment.
AHRQ-funded; T32HS026133.
Citation: Pritchard KT, Baillargeon J, Lee WC .
Trends in the use of opioids vs nonpharmacologic treatments in adults with pain, 2011-2019.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Nov;5(11):e2240612. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.40612..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Opioids, Medication, Pain, Chronic Conditions, Treatments
McDonagh MS, Morasco BJ, Wagner J
Cannabis-based products for chronic pain : a systematic review.
Researchers sought to evaluate the benefits and harms of cannabinoids for chronic pain. They found that oral, synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios and sublingual, extracted cannabis products with comparable THC-to-CBD ratios may be associated with short-term improvements in chronic pain and increased risk for dizziness and sedation.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006.
Citation: McDonagh MS, Morasco BJ, Wagner J .
Cannabis-based products for chronic pain : a systematic review.
Ann Intern Med 2022 Aug;175(8):1143-53. doi: 10.7326/m21-4520.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006..
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006..
Keywords: Pain, Chronic Conditions, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Treatments, Evidence-Based Practice
Curatolo M, Rundell SD, Gold LS
Long-term effectiveness of epidural steroid injections after new episodes of low back pain in older adults.
The purpose of this prospective study was to compare older adults undergoing epidural steroid injections (ESI) with patients not receiving ESI to test the hypotheses that those on ESI: 1) have worse outcomes before ESI, 2) have improved outcomes after ESI, and 3) have improved outcomes due to a specific ESI effect. The researchers evaluated patients 65 years of age or older from 3 United States health care systems who presented to primary care with new episodes of back pain. The three outcomes assessed were back and leg pain intensity, disability, and quality of life, all of which were evaluated at baseline, and then with 3-, 6-, 12- and 24- month follow-ups. The study found that in ESI patients, pain intensity, disability, and quality of life at baseline were significantly worse than in non-ESI patients. The study concluded that adults 65 and older who were treated with ESI have long-term improvement, but the improvement is not likely to be related to a specific effect of ESI, making epidural steroid injections unlikely to provide long-term benefits.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222; HS022972.
Citation: Curatolo M, Rundell SD, Gold LS .
Long-term effectiveness of epidural steroid injections after new episodes of low back pain in older adults.
Eur J Pain 2022 Aug;26(7):1469-80. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1975..
Keywords: Elderly, Back Health and Pain, Pain, Treatments