CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016

Cognitive impairment, and those with cancer and at the end of life, can be at risk for inadequate pain treatment (4).Patients can experience persistent pain that is not well controlled.There are clinical, psychological, and social consequences associated with chronic pain including limitations in complex activities, lost work productivity, reduced quality of life, and stigma, emphasizing the importance of appropriate and compassionate patient care (4).Patients should receive appropriate pain treatment based on a careful consideration of the benefits and risks of treatment options.Chronic pain has been variably defined but is defined within this guideline as pain that typically lasts >3 months or past the time…