Assessment of Transdermal Buprenorphine Patches for the Treatment of Chronic Pain in a UK Observational Study

Mick Serpell, Shiva Tripathi, Sabine Scherzinger, Sònia Rojas-Farreras, Alexander Oksche and Margaret Wilson ()
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Mick Serpell: University of Glasgow
Shiva Tripathi: Royal Preston Hospital
Sabine Scherzinger: East Norwich Medical Partnership
Sònia Rojas-Farreras: IMS Health
Alexander Oksche: Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU Giessen)
Margaret Wilson: Mundipharma Research Ltd

The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 2016, vol. 9, issue 1, No 5, 35-46

Abstract: Abstract Background Opioids provide effective analgesia for moderate-to-severe, chronic pain. Transdermal buprenorphine (TDB) is available in the UK as weekly, lower-dose (5–20 μg/h) patches and twice-weekly, higher dose (35–70 μg/h) patches. This prospective, observational, multicenter study of patients with various chronic pain conditions assessed the safety, perceptions, and discontinuation of treatment with TDB in a real-world, non-interventional setting (ClinicalTrials.gov study ID: NCT01225861). Methods Patients aged ≥18 years who were already receiving or initiating treatment with TDB were recruited in the UK during routine clinical visits and were followed for 6 visits or 9 months (whichever came first). Self-reported treatment adherence, patient satisfaction, and safety data were collected at each study visit. Results Of 465 patients, 272 were already receiving 7-day TDB at the study start (TDB experienced), 146 were TDB naïve, and 47 were prescribed twice-weekly TDB. Most patients were female (72.9 %) and overweight/obese (body mass index ≥25: 75.3 %). The median age was 67 years, and the mean duration of pain was 11.1 years. Arthritis/other musculoskeletal disorders (39.6 %) were the most common causes of pain. Mild adverse events were commonly reported. Skin irritations, which were most frequent in 7-day TDB-experienced patients (45.6 %), rarely resulted in treatment discontinuation (8.8 %). Nearly all patients used TDB in accordance with treatment recommendations. Most patients reported that TDB was ‘effective’/‘very effective’ at relieving pain and were ‘satisfied’/‘very satisfied’ with TDB therapy. Conclusion In everyday clinical practice, TDB was well tolerated and patients were satisfied with their therapy. Self-reported adherence to TDB was very high, and adverse events rarely resulted in treatment discontinuation. Opportunities were identified to limit common adverse events associated with TDB.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1007/s40271-015-0151-y

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