Opioids have long been prescribed for acute back and neck pain, but a new study has found that they are no more effective than a placebo. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney, was published in the journal Lancet.
Acute back and neck pain affects a significant portion of the global population, with 577 million people worldwide experiencing these conditions. It can be incredibly debilitating and make everyday tasks and activities more difficult.
The study was prompted by the fact that up to two-thirds of Australian patients with acute back and neck pain are prescribed opioids as a first-line treatment, despite guidelines recommending other options such as heat therapy or simple painkillers. This is concerning because opioids have a high risk of addiction, with the risk increasing after just three days of use. Additionally, opioids can cause side effects such as nausea, constipation, dizziness, and confusion, and there is a high risk of accidental fatal overdose.
The researchers recruited 347 subjects with acute back or neck pain and randomly assigned them to either an opioid group or a control group. The study was triple-blinded, meaning that neither the doctors nor the subjects knew which group they were in. The opioid group was given oxycodone, while the control group received a placebo. Both groups were advised to remain as active as possible and not to rest in bed.
After six weeks of treatment, there was no significant difference in pain scores between the opioid group and the control group. In fact, one year after the start of treatment, the control group had lower pain levels and a higher quality of life. Additionally, the final opioid group had a significantly higher risk of addiction compared to the control group.
These findings suggest that opioids are ineffective for acute back and neck pain and that guidelines should be adjusted accordingly. Researchers from the University of Washington have emphasized the need to question the use of opioids as a last resort and explore alternative options for pain management.
