Tapentadol prolonged release in fragile geriatric patients > 70 years with chronic severe musculoskeletal pain: an open-label, prospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVE

Chronic pain is highly prevalent in the elderly, and the prolonged use of long-term opioids for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain is controversial. Tapentadol, combining μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonism and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition (NRI) in a unique mechanism of action, may be a valid option for chronic pain management in the geriatric population. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of tapentadol prolonged release (PR), administered to patients aged ≥ 70 years with chronic pain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 20 elderlies, naïve to opioids and with persistent moderate-to-severe chronic pain from different etiologies received tapentadol PR with up-titrations as necessary. The response to treatment, defined as at least 30% reduction in pain intensity compared with baseline, was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were pain intensity on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) both at rest and during loading and sleep quality.

RESULTS

Tapentadol PR was safe and effective in our population of elderlies with chronic pain from different etiologies: pain intensity compared with baseline, both at rest and during load, was statistically lower at each visit (p<0.01), whereas sleep quality improved significantly throughout the study (p<0.05). Only few minor side effects were reported, with an overall good safety profile and a very high tolerability and satisfaction for treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Tapentadol PR, adequately titrated according to patients' response in naïve subjects, is safe and effective to control pain in the elderly.