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Treatment of Severe Pain and Opioid-induced Constipation: An Observational Study of Quality of Life, Resource Use, and Costs in Sweden

Hjalte F, Ragnarson Tennvall G, Welin K-O and Westerling D
Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a common and costly side effect of opioid treatment affecting patients’ quality of life (QoL). The combination oxycodone/naloxone reduces OIC while providing effective analgesia in patients with moderate to severe pain.
The objective of this observational study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL), health care resource use and costs in patients with severe pain, treated with oxycodone and laxatives who were subsequently switched to treatment with oxycodone/naloxone. Data was collected data from questionnaires filled out by patients with OIC before and after initiation of oxycodone/naloxone at different clinical centers in Sweden.

Pain and Therapy, 2016; 5(2): 227-236
DOI: 10.1007/s40122-016-0059-9