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Long Term Opioids Linked To Increased Risk Of New Onset Depression

Chronic pain, by its very nature, has been linked to anxiety and depression.  People with chronic pain frequently suffer anxiety due to the unpredictability of living with a chronic pain condition.  They may also experience depression due to the feelings of incapacity and isolation caused by living with a chronic illness.  Perhaps these individuals can no longer work or care for themselves; perhaps they feel isolated from the world because they cannot experience the daily life that they were once accustomed to.

Perpetual Calendar
Image source: Wikimedia



Now comes a new study in the January/February 2016 issue of Annals of Family Medicine that concludes that the risk of depression is increased when chronic opioid therapy is used to treat these same chronic pain conditions.  According to the authors, the risk is more closely associated with longer duration of therapy and less closely related to the opioid dosage.

The study, conducted by Scherrer et. al. at Saint Louis University School of medicine, concludes the following:


"Opioid-related new onset of depression is associated with longer duration of use but not dose. Patients and practitioners should be aware that opioid analgesic use of longer than 30 days imposes risk of new-onset depression. Opioid analgesic use, not just pain, should be considered a potential source when patients report depressed mood."

You can read more about this study by visiting these links:

 Study Cautions Prescribers To Consider Opioid Therapy As A Risk Factor For Depression
Source: PainWeek.org

 Long Term Opioid Use Associated With Increased Risk Of Depression
Source: Newswise.com

 Prescription Opioid Duration, Dose, and Increased Risk Of  Depression in 3 Large Patient Populations
Source: Annals of Family Medicine

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