Chronic pain is a pervasive issue among older adults, often resulting from various conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, and cancer as well as cancer treatments. Opioids are frequently prescribed to manage pain due to their potent analgesic properties. However, the use of opioids in older adults presents unique challenges, including heightened susceptibility to side effects, risk of dependency, and interactions with other medications. This Research Topic aims to: 1) address the complex relationship between opioids and pain management in the geriatric population; 2) explore the multifaceted aspects of opioid use for pain management in older adults; and 3) gather comprehensive insights into the efficacy, safety, and best practices for prescribing opioids to this vulnerable group. Finally, we aim to identify alternative pain management strategies that can alleviate the burden of chronic pain without the adverse effects associated with long-term opioid use.

Key Themes:

Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics: Investigating how aging affects the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of opioids, and their impact on the elderly.

Clinical Efficacy: Evaluating the effectiveness of various opioid regimens in managing different types of chronic pain in older adults.

Safety and Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating the risks associated with opioid use in older adults, including dependency, overdose, falls, cognitive impairment, and gastrointestinal issues.

Opioid Tapering: Identifying evidence-based approaches to reducing opioid consumption in older populations with a particular interest in older adults receiving long-term opioid therapy.

Alternative Therapies: Exploring non-opioid pain management options, such as physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications with a safer profile for older adults.

Guidelines and Best Practices: Reviewing existing guidelines for opioid prescribing in older adults and proposing updates or new guidelines based on recent research findings.

Patient-Centered Approaches: Investigating how personalized medicine, patient education, and monitoring can enhance pain management outcomes while reducing opioid-related risks.

Healthcare Systems and Policies: Examining the role of healthcare systems and policies in shaping opioid prescribing practices and access to pain management services for older adults.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and policy experts to contribute original research articles, review papers, clinical case studies, and commentary pieces that advance our knowledge and inform practice on opioid use for pain management in older adults. Contributions should emphasize novel insights, evidence-based practices, and solutions to the challenges faced by this population.

Through this Research Topic, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and informed discourse on the use of opioids in managing pain among older adults. Our goal is to enhance pain management strategies, ensuring they are both effective and safe, thereby improving the quality of life for elderly patients.

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Frontiers in Pain Research

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