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Recommendations for the management of opioid-induced constipation - how to improve usability in clinical practice

Okdahl, T; Emmanuel, A; Morlion, B; Farmer, A; Varrassi, G; Drewes, AM; (2023) Recommendations for the management of opioid-induced constipation - how to improve usability in clinical practice. Expert Review of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , 17 (10) pp. 975-983. 10.1080/17474124.2023.2267441. Green open access

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Opioid-induced constipation remains undertreated despite effective and safe treatment options exists. Previous guidelines have only been partially effective in improving management, possibly due to their complexity, and studies suggest that a simple setup of concise and behaviorally-orientated steps improves usability. AREAS COVERED: This article introduces the concept of opioid-induced constipation and provides an overview of existing guidelines in this field. We also propose simplified recommendations for managing opioid-induced constipation, derived from a synthesis of current guidelines and the principles of optimal guideline design theory. EXPERT OPINION: Despite standard treatment with laxatives and fluid intake in patients with opioid-induced constipation, escalation of treatment is often needed where μ-opioid receptor antagonists or newer medications such as lubiprostone, linaclotide, or prucalopride are used. Previous guidelines have not been used sufficiently and thus management of the condition is often insufficient. We therefore propose simplified recommendations to management, which we believe can come into broader use. It was validated in primary care for credibility, clarity, relevance, usability, and overall benefit. We believe that this initiative can lead to better management of the substantial proportion of patients suffering from side effects of opioids.

Type: Article
Title: Recommendations for the management of opioid-induced constipation - how to improve usability in clinical practice
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2267441
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1080/17474124.2023.2267441
Language: English
Additional information: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Keywords: Bowel dysfunction, guideline, opioid-induced constipation, work simplification, μ-opioid receptor antagonists
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Medicine
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Medicine > Inst for Liver and Digestive Hlth
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10180191
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