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Current Pain and Headache Reports

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01-03-2018 | Other Pain (A Kaye and N Vadivelu, Section Editors)

The Opioid Crisis: a Comprehensive Overview

Authors: Nalini Vadivelu, Alice M. Kai, Vijay Kodumudi, Julie Sramcik, Alan D. Kaye

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The opioid crisis most likely is the most profound public health crisis our nation has faced. In 2015 alone, 52,000 people died of drug overdoses, with over 30,000 of those people dying from opioid drugs. A recent community forum led by the Cleveland Clinic contrasted this yearly death rate with the loss of 58,000 American lives in 4 years of the Vietnam War. The present review describes the origins of this opioid epidemic and provides context for our present circumstances.

Recent Findings

Alarmingly, the overwhelming majority of opioid abusers begin their addiction with prescription medications, primarily for chronic pain. Chronic postoperative pain, which occurs in 10–50% of surgical patients, is a major concern in many types of surgery. Nationwide, the medical community has made it a priority to ensure that postsurgical analgesia is sufficient to control pain without increasing non-medically appropriate opioid use.

Summary

The opioid epidemic remains a significant pressing issue and will not resolve easily. Numerous factors, including the inappropriate prescription of opioids, lack of understanding of the potential adverse effects of long-term therapy, opioid misuse, abuse, and dependence, have contributed to the current crisis.

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Title: The Opioid Crisis: a Comprehensive Overview
Authors: Nalini Vadivelu
Alice M. Kai
Vijay Kodumudi
Julie Sramcik
Alan D. Kaye
Publication date: 01-03-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0670-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The Opioid Crisis: a Comprehensive Overview

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

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