Clinical Instruments Assessing Harms and Benefits of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review.
J Gen Intern MedJun 1, 2026 (epub)
Alexis D Grant, Moid Ali, Alyssa Cheng et al.
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In 30 seconds
This scoping review examined clinical instruments assessing harms and benefits of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. Out of 8,738 records, 37 studies detailing 25 instruments were included. The review found that 88% of items focused on harms, while only 12% addressed benefits, highlighting a significant imbalance in assessment.
Key findings
- Of the 448 items in the instruments, 88% assessed harms related to LTOT.
- Only 12% of items evaluated current or potential benefits of LTOT.
- Most instruments were self-administered by patients.
- The review identified a major gap in instruments for weighing harms and benefits.
Why it matters
Understanding the balance of harms and benefits in long-term opioid therapy is crucial for informed clinical decision-making. This review highlights the need for better assessment tools to guide clinicians in managing chronic pain effectively.