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Perfecting Pain Management for Better Living
(DGIwire) – Pain is arguably the most common of all health complaints, with the discomfort usually short-lived. For many, however, pain is not easily reduced or eliminated. Insights on this dilemma were recently provided by Dr. William
H. McCarberg, a founding member of
the Chronic Pain Management Program
at Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, and voluntary assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Diego. McCa- rberg conducted a survey using PubMed. gov, an online resource of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
The survey was designed to assess the physical, psychological and economic impact pain has on the lives of individuals suffering pain, and to identify the unmet needs of patients who have taken opioid medications to treat their pain. McCar- berg also examined how difficult it is for doctors to effectively treat patients with chronic pain, since determining the best treatment option has become an increas- ingly exacting science.
Not surprisingly, the survey results supported what many physicians observe in their practice and hear from patients— pain negatively impacts quality of life. Many chronic pain sufferers gave evidence of the effect on their mental health, em- ployment status, sleep and personal rela- tionships. The survey also found a majority of doctors agreed that pain management
is a science still being perfected. In terms of treatment, the survey found inadequate pain control, end-of-dose pain and side effects associated with increased dosing were reported as negative factors influenc- ing patients’ choice of pain medication. Clearly, there must be effective commu- nication between physicians and patients to improve overall pain management and establish shared treatment goals with func-
tional outcomes.
One specialty pharmaceutical company
focused on these challenges is BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI). Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and CEO of BDSI, says, “A key task in medicine is developing treatments for chronic pain that present
a lower risk of abuse than existing treat- ments. People need reliable therapeutics
that allow them to cope with their pain so they can work and enjoy everyday activ- ities of living without constant pain. We are dedicated to helping these patients.”
Let’s all hope the science of pain man- agement reaches new frontiers.
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