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PainSTORY

New Research Indicates 95% of Patients are in Moderate to Severe Chronic Pain Despite One Year of Treatment

EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR
THE STUDY OF PAIN (EFIC) CONGRESS, LISBON, September 10 (ots/PRNewswire)
- Year-Long Tracking Survey Demonstrates That 19% Feel That Their
Pain  has Become Worse
95% of patients are suffering from moderate to severe chronic
pain after one year of treatment[1] and only 12% are being prescribed
strong opioids, according to a year-long survey presented today at
the EFIC congress. The research reveals that more than half of
patients' pain levels fail to improve over the course of a year's
treatment and for 19%, their pain has become worse. Despite the high
proportion of patients continuing to suffer pain, 64% of patients
believe they are taking the most appropriate level of medication and
58% believe that everything is being done to help them.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mundipharma/39915/
The new survey, entitled PainSTORY (Pain Study Tracking Ongoing
Responses for a Year), is the first of its kind to track the impact
of chronic pain on patients' lives over the course of a year and
involved 294 patients in 13 European countries.
Regarding pain management, the survey demonstrates that out of
all patients who took part in the survey, 83% are prescribed
medication but 30% also resort to over the counter (OTC) medication
to try to manage their pain either alone or in combination with other
therapies. Despite the fact that 95% of patients receiving treatment
are suffering from moderate-to-severe pain, only 12% of them are
being prescribed a strong opioid treatment, 25% a weak opioid and 43%
are prescribed a non-opioid treatment. The research also reveals that
only 23% had their prescription changed to a stronger type of pain
medication over the course of the year.
The survey illustrates almost half of all patients report side
effects as a result of their medication, the most common of which is
constipation[2], experienced by almost half of patients, 49% of whom
are receiving treatment with opioids. Although highly effective in
controlling pain, opioids can be associated with opioid-induced
constipation (OIC). The research indicates that 26% of patients
taking opioid medication turn to laxatives to help relieve their
constipation, which may alleviate symptoms but will not address the
cause of the problem.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Tony O'Brien, Consultant Physician
in Palliative Medicine at Cork University Hospital said: 'This
research reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of uncontrolled
chronic pain in our communities. This serious public health problem
must be addressed as a matter of urgency. Patients suffering pain
require comprehensive evaluation and assessment by skilled healthcare
professionals. Selected patients will benefit from a supervised trial
of opioid medication in order to achieve an optimal level of
analgesia, whilst preventing unwanted opioid adverse effects,
including opioid induced constipation. The objective is to ensure
that patients can experience the best possible quality of life.'
The research provides some valuable insights into patients'
experience of the healthcare professional team. Despite the high
proportion of patients continuing to suffer pain, the number of
patients visiting a doctor declined over the course of the year from
83% at the beginning of the survey to 70% at the end. By the end of
the survey, 58% had been given a physical examination, 22% were rated
on a pain scale, 19% were sent for further tests and only 2% had seen
a pain specialist consistently throughout the year.
Across the year, 44% of patients report feeling alone in tackling
their pain and two thirds of patients feel anxious or depressed as a
result of their pain. For 28% of patients, their pain is so bad they
report they sometimes want to die. Patients report feeling trapped by
a pain which may vary in intensity, but continuously affects every
aspect of their life.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Hans Kress, President
Elect, European Federation of Chapters of the International
Association for the Study of Pain said: "This research presents a
unique insight into patients' journey in pain across Europe. It is
shocking to observe that one year on, patients are still trapped in
an ongoing cycle of pain and a large proportion seem to be losing
hope. I urge patients to speak to their doctor if they are
experiencing chronic pain or are concerned about side effects and not
suffer in silence".
    [1] Treatment includes prescription medication, over the counter
        medication and alternative medication
    [2] The term `constipation' incorporated bloating, stomach ache and
        stomach cramps
Note to editors
About the survey
PainSTORY (Pain Study Tracking Ongoing Responses for a Year) is
the first study of its kind to track patients with chronic pain over
one year, providing in depth insight into how pain impacts the daily
lives of patients and the management of pain in 13 European
countries.
The PainSTORY survey was conducted by an independent research
company, Ipsos MORI, in collaboration with the following independent
third parties:
  • European Federation of IASP Chapters
  • World Institute of Pain
  • OPEN Minds
The survey was sponsored by a restricted educational grant from,
and prepared in association with, Mundipharma International Limited.
Methodology
294 patients suffering from non-malignant (osteoarthritis, back
pain / lower back pain, osteoporosis, neuropathic pain, mixed pain,
other long term pain), chronic pain (i.e. lasting for more than three
months) rating >5-10 on a pain scale at screening stage (where 0 = no
pain and 10 = the worst pain imaginable) completed the survey. At the
evaluation stage of the survey, patients' pain levels were ranked as
mild (1-3), moderate (4-7) or severe (8-10). Respondents were studied
for 12 months and research was carried out in 13 countries across
Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain,
Ireland, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands and Norway by
an independent research company, Ipsos MORI.
The study consisted of four waves of qualitative interviews
between April 2008 and May 2009. Interim engagement activities such
as diaries and 'life books' were sent to patients between the four
waves to provide additional insight. Comparisons between baseline
data and subsequent wave results showed how the impact of pain and
pain management changes over the course of a year.
Please visit http://www.painstory.org for further information.

Contact:

Contact: EFIC Onsite Contact: Emily Bunting, Cohn & Wolfe, Email:
Emily.Bunting@cohnwolfe.com, Tel: +44-7870-248802, Miranda Sykes,
Cohn & Wolfe, Email: Miranda.Sykes@cohnwolfe.com, Tel:
+44-207-331-5336