Caffeine as an opioid analgesic adjuvant in fibromyalgia
Scott JR, Hassett AL, Brummett CM, Harris RE, Clauw DJ, Harte SE
Journal of pain research · 12 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Cross-sectional study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Possibly industry funded
- Nonprofit
- American Pain Society
- Authors
- At least one author declares a financial tie to industry
Based on 1 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2017-07-01 · J Pain Res · vol. Volume 10 · pp. 1801–1809
- Publisher
- Dove Medical Press
- Cited
- 28 citations · more than 83% of similar papers · 1.7× the field average
- References
- 63 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC
- Research areas
- Coffee research and impacts · Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research · Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Keywords
- Caffeine, Medicine, Fibromyalgia, Opioid, Analgesic, Acetaminophen, Anesthesia, Chronic pain, Internal medicine, Physical therapy
6 authors
From US
- J. Ryan ScottPain and Headache Center
- Afton L. HassettPain and Headache Center
- Chad M. BrummettPain and Headache Center
- Richard Edmund HarrisUniversity of Michigan; Pain and Headache Center
- Daniel Joseph ClauwUniversity of Michigan; Pain and Headache Center
- Steven E. HarteUniversity of Michigan; Pain and Headache Center
Abstract
Background
Caffeine's properties as an analgesic adjuvant with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/acetaminophen are well documented. However, little clinical research has explored caffeine's effects on opioid analgesia. This study assessed the effects of caffeine consumption on pain and other symptoms in opioid-using and nonusing chronic pain patients meeting the survey criteria for fibromyalgia.
Materials and methods
Patients presenting to a university-based pain clinic completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms. Patients (N=962) meeting the fibromyalgia survey criteria were stratified by opioid use and further split into groups based on caffeine amount consumed per day (no caffeine, or low, moderate, high caffeine). Analysis of covariance with Dunnett's post hoc testing compared pain and symptom severity between the no caffeine group and the caffeine consuming groups.
Results
In opioid users, caffeine consumption had modest but significant effects on pain, catastrophizing, and physical function. Lower levels of pain interference were associated with low and moderate caffeine use compared to no caffeine intake. Lower pain catastrophizing and higher physical function were observed in all caffeine dose groups, relative to the no caffeine group. Lower pain severity and depression were observed only in the moderate caffeine group. In opioid nonusers, low caffeine intake was associated with higher physical function; however, no other significant effects were observed.
Conclusion
Caffeine consumption was associated with decreased pain and symptom severity in opioid users, but not in opioid nonusers, indicating caffeine may act as an opioid adjuvant in fibromyalgia-like chronic pain patients. These data suggest that caffeine consumption concomitant with opioid analgesics could provide therapeutic benefits not seen with opioids or caffeine alone.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC).
Community trust
Loading…
How much do you trust this study's findings?
Comments
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inSomething wrong here?
Flag this study if its information, labels or funding look wrong. An editor reviews every flag.
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inEducational information about published research. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to start or stop anything.