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IJERPH
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Opioid Use, Pain Management, and Public Health
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Opioid Use, Pain Management, and Public Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 10576

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alok K. Paul

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
Interests: pain; opioids; functional food; traditional medicines

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During the early lockdown phases of COVID-19, people found it challenging to manage pain because they feared contracting the virus from receiving healthcare support. Sadly, people who suffer from chronic pain sometimes run out of medications such as opioids; they are stressed and face various physical and psychological complications resulting from inadequate pain relief and withdrawal syndromes. Therefore, physicians implemented alternative arrangements (such as telemedicine) for prescribing opioids and other restricted medications for chronic pain management later in the pandemic era. In addition, people that contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus sometimes face inflammatory pain syndromes. Apart from COVID-19, people were stressed due to insecure jobs, losses in business, losses of relatives or family members, and many other reasons, and all of these can affect the acceleration of chronic pain conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory and neuropathic pain. At this moment, the actual impact of COVID-19 on the genesis of chronic inflammatory or neuropathic pain conditions is unclear. Has the pandemic exacerbated the number of chronic pain patients by triggering the cytokine storm? How are pain medications (including opioids) used to manage chronic pain, and have these cured pain or caused additional adverse effects due to inappropriate use? This Special Issue is seeking articles (original research, narratives, and systematic reviews) focusing on proper chronic pain management, particularly on ensuring public health.

Dr. Alok K. Paul
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • chronic pain
  • inflammatory pain
  • opioids
  • pain management
  • cytokines
  • COVID-19
  • public health
  • SARS-CoV-2

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 788 KiB  
Article
Trends in Prescription Chronic Pain Medication Use before and during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Québec, Canada: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
by Gwenaëlle De Clifford-Faugère, Hermine Lore Nguena Nguefack, Manon Choinière, M. Gabrielle Pagé, Lucie Blais, Line Guénette, Marc Dorais and Anaïs Lacasse
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(15), 6493; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20156493 - 1 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1825
Abstract
Background: In Canada, a state of health emergency was declared in May 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess trends in the use of prescription medication for pain management by people living with chronic pain before and [...] Read more.
Background: In Canada, a state of health emergency was declared in May 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess trends in the use of prescription medication for pain management by people living with chronic pain before and during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: Participants (n = 177) were adults reporting chronic pain who had completed a web-based questionnaire in 2019 and for whom complete longitudinal private and public insurance prescription claims were available. The monthly prevalence of medication use for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and prescribed cannabinoids was assessed. An interrupted time series analysis was then performed to evaluate if the COVID-19 pandemic had had an impact on trends in pain medication use. Results: The beginning of the first wave of the pandemic was associated with the onset of a downward trend in opioid use (p < 0.05); no such association was found regarding NSAIDs. However, point prevalence of opioid use at the beginning (Nov. 2019) and at the end (Mai 2020) of the study period remained somewhat stable (17.0% vs. 16.4%). Regarding prescribed cannabinoids, a gradual increase in use was observed over the entire study period independently from the impact of the first wave of the pandemic (15.3% vs. 22.6%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: While the occurrence of the first wave did have an impact on opioid use among people living with chronic pain, access to and use of opioids appear to have returned to normal before the end of the first wave of COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opioid Use, Pain Management, and Public Health)
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Review

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33 pages, 848 KiB  
Review
The Impact of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Opioid Use for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Scoping Review
by Zhanette Coffee, Kevin Cheng, Maribeth Slebodnik, Kimberly Mulligan, Chong Ho Yu, Todd W. Vanderah and Judith S. Gordon
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(6), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060794 - 18 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2215
Abstract
Despite the lack of evidence, opioids are still routinely used as a solution to long-term management for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Given the significant risks associated with long-term opioid use, including the increased number of unregulated opioid pills at large in the opioid [...] Read more.
Despite the lack of evidence, opioids are still routinely used as a solution to long-term management for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Given the significant risks associated with long-term opioid use, including the increased number of unregulated opioid pills at large in the opioid ecosystem, opioid cessation or reduction may be the desired goal of the patient and clinician. Viable nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) to complement and/or replace opioids for CNCP are needed. Comprehensive reviews that address the impact of NPIs to help adults with CNCP reduce opioid use safely are lacking. We conducted a literature search in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus for studies published in English. The initial search was conducted in April 2021, and updated in January 2024. The literature search yielded 19,190 relevant articles. Thirty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria and underwent data extraction. Of these, nineteen (49%) were randomized controlled trials, eighteen (46%) were observational studies, and two (5%) were secondary analyses. Among adults with CNCP who use opioids for pain management, studies on mindfulness, yoga, educational programs, certain devices or digital technology, chiropractic, and combination NPIs suggest that they might be an effective approach for reducing both pain intensity and opioid use, but other NPIs did not show a significant effect (e.g., hypnosis, virtual reality). This review revealed there is a small to moderate body of literature demonstrating that some NPIs might be an effective and safe approach for reducing pain and opioid use, concurrently. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opioid Use, Pain Management, and Public Health)
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17 pages, 2365 KiB  
Review
Are Fermented Foods Effective against Inflammatory Diseases?
by Alok K. Paul, Chooi Ling Lim, Md. Aminul Islam Apu, Karma G. Dolma, Madhu Gupta, Maria de Lourdes Pereira, Polrat Wilairatana, Mohammed Rahmatullah, Christophe Wiart and Veeranoot Nissapatorn
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2481; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032481 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5441
Abstract
Fermented foods have been used over the centuries in various parts of the world. These foods are rich in nutrients and are produced naturally using various biological tools like bacteria and fungi. Fermentation of edible foods has been rooted in ancient cultures to [...] Read more.
Fermented foods have been used over the centuries in various parts of the world. These foods are rich in nutrients and are produced naturally using various biological tools like bacteria and fungi. Fermentation of edible foods has been rooted in ancient cultures to keep food for preservation and storage for a long period of time with desired or enhanced nutritional values. Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic inflammatory pain are chronic disorders that are difficult to treat, and current treatments for these disorders fail due to various adverse effects of prescribed medications over a long period of time. Fermented foods containing probiotic bacteria and fungi can enhance the immune system, improve gastrointestinal health, and lower the risk of developing various inflammatory diseases. Foods prepared from vegetables by fermentation, like kimchi, sauerkraut, soy-based foods, or turmeric, lack proper clinical and translational experimental studies. The current review has focused on the effectiveness of various fermented foods or drinks used over centuries against inflammation, arthritis, and oxidative stress. We also described potential limitations on the efficacies or usages of these fermented products to provide an overarching picture of the research field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opioid Use, Pain Management, and Public Health)
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