Functionality and health-status benefits associated with reduction of osteoarthritis pain.

Objective: To evaluate the association between pain intensity improvement and improvements in functionality and health status in patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain of the hip or knee.

Methods: Data were obtained from a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of tramadol ER 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, or 400 mg once daily. Patients reported pain intensity with a 100-mm visual analog scale (0 = no pain, 100 = extreme pain) and functionality and health status with the disease-specific Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and the generic Short-Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36).

Impact of fibromyalgia pain on health-related quality of life before and after treatment with tramadol/acetaminophen.

Objective: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with moderate-to-severe fibromyalgia pain compared with the general population, and to assess the relationship between pain severity and HRQOL before and after treatment with an analgesic.

Methods: Data were obtained from a randomized, double-blind study of patients with moderate-to-severe fibromyalgia pain. Patients received either tramadol/acetaminophen or placebo 4 times/day as needed for 91 days.

An observational study of health-related quality of life and pain outcomes in chronic low back pain patients treated with fentanyl transdermal system.

Background: The analgesic effect of long-acting opioids, such as transdermal fentanyl, has been demonstrated in patients with cancer, neuropathic pain and chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, the broader effect of long-acting opioids on the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is less well known.

Objective: To evaluate HRQoL outcomes in CLBP patients treated with transdermal fentanyl.