Journal of Pain Research (Mar 2017)

A case report on the treatment of complex chronic pain and opioid dependence by a multidisciplinary transitional pain service using the ACT Matrix and buprenorphine/naloxone

  • Weinrib AZ,
  • Burns LC,
  • Mu A,
  • Azam MA,
  • Ladak SSJ,
  • McRae K,
  • Katznelson R,
  • Azargive S,
  • Tran C,
  • Katz J,
  • Clarke H

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 10
pp. 747 – 755

Abstract

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Aliza Z Weinrib,1,2 Lindsay C Burns,1,2 Alex Mu,1 Muhammad Abid Azam,1,2 Salima SJ Ladak,1 Karen McRae,1,3 Rita Katznelson,1,3 Saam Azargive,1 Cieran Tran,1 Joel Katz,1–3 Hance Clarke1,3 1Pain Research Unit, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 2Department of Psychology, York University, 3Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Abstract: In an era of growing concern about opioid prescribing, the postsurgical period remains a critical window with the risk of significant opioid dose escalation, particularly in patients with a history of chronic pain and presurgical opioid use. The purpose of this case report is to describe the multidisciplinary care of a complex, postsurgical pain patient by an innovative transitional pain service (TPS). A 59-year-old male with complex chronic pain, as well as escalating long-term opioid use, presented with a bleeding duodenal ulcer requiring emergency surgery. After surgery, the TPS provided integrated pharmacological and behavioral treatment, including buprenorphine combined with naloxone and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) using the ACT Matrix. The result was dramatic pain reduction and improved functioning and quality of life after 40+ years of chronic pain, thus changing the pain trajectory of a chronic, complex, opioid-dependent patient. Keywords: transitional pain service, postsurgical pain, chronic pain, opioid dependence, opioid weaning, acceptance and commitment therapy

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