This study could benefit people with #ChronicPain by helping round out the science for the safety/efficacy of LTOT. This could influence future research trajectories based on patient reports. See thread.
https://twitter.com/StanfordPain/status/1377819320173088772
Some raised concerns that we don't know what the results will be, but that's how science is supposed to work. If people knew what the results would be, there'd be no reason to study. Because millions have likely been force-tapered, this could contribute to an end to the practice.
The ethical issues surrounding forced tapering stand on their own. However, having science that proves opioids aren't as dangerous or inappropriate for chronic "non-cancer pain" as some claim is also important because public policy is informed by it, whether we like it or not.
Currently, there is not a lot of science on the safety/efficacy of opioids for long-term, so-called non-cancer pain, so this study holds some interesting potential, despite its controversial funding source (PCORI) which has historically been focused on non-opioid treatments.
While I don't think we need to study this after millennia of anecdotal and empirical data that these medications are both safe and effective long term (i.e., millions report relief & don't OD, etc.), this is the world we live in and this is our chance to change trajectory.
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