Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of opioid analgesics for patients with chronic nonmalignant pain is becoming more widely accepted, and long-acting formulations are an important treatment option. AIM: To assess conversion to extended-release OROS hydromorphone from previous stable opioid agonist therapy in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain of moderate-to-severe intensity. METHODS: In this open-label multicentre trial, patients were stabilised on their previous opioid therapy before being switched to OROS hydromorphone at a ratio of 5 : 1 (morphine sulphate equivalent to hydromorphone hydrochloride). The OROS hydromorphone dose was titrated over 3-16 days to achieve effective analgesia, and maintenance treatment continued for 14 days. RESULTS: Study medication was received by 336 patients; 66% completed all study phases. Stabilisation of OROS hydromorphone was achieved by 94.6% of patients, the majority in two or fewer titration steps (mean time, 4.2 days). Mean pain intensity scores, as determined by the Brief Pain Inventory, decreased during OROS hydromorphone treatment (p