Rome, 21 June 2010: Pain specialists from across Europe have launched a major education programme to improve the management of chronic pain, as a major review warns that it is generally inadequately treated.

“Chronic pain should not be regarded as an indicator of an underlying disease or damaging process, but as a disease in its own right,” said Professor Giustino Varrassi, president of the European Federation of the International Association for the Study of Pain, and lead author of the review. He was speaking at a meeting of the Change Pain initiative, a programme bringing together pain specialists from throughout Europe to improve chronic pain management, funded by an educational grant from Grunenthal (20-21 June 2010, Rome, Italy).

Pain is the commonest reason for patients to seek medical attention, and chronic pain affects nearly one in four people according to recent surveys in Europe – with low back pain being the commonest problem. But the comprehensive literature review found that the average time between onset and referral to a specialist pain centre is currently 12 years, and that pain relief at this stage is achieved in only 20% of patients (Curr Med Res & Opin 2010; 26: 1231-1245).

The review revealed major differences in pain chronic pain management. Evidence-based guidelines were frequently not followed and factors determining drug treatment appeared to be based mainly on tradition and personal experience. “There is a vicious circle in which doctors try to maintain a balance between adequate pain relief and acceptable side-effects, particularly with strong opioids,” warned Professor Varrassi.

The report recommends improved education for both doctors and patients on the need to accurately assess chronic pain. It also points out that there is a frequently a neuropathic component to chronic pain, which requires appropriate treatment, often with combination therapy.

To improve the management of chronic pain, the Change Pain group has launched a major education programme. It includes three comprehensive, interactive e-learning modules designed to update healthcare professionals on: assessing pain, improving doctor-patient communication, multimodal management of chronic pain, and mechanism-orientated pharmacological pain therapy. The first eCME module is available online at www.change-pain.com.

Grünenthal provided an unrestricted educational grant to Susan Mayor to attend the Change Pain meeting. However, the views expressed are solely those of the author.

Written by Susan Mayor