Pain profile and opioid medication use in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Abstract

Objectives Pain is commonly reported in people living with myositis. This study assesses the presence of pain in the subtypes of myositis as well frequency of opioid and non-opioid pain medication use. Methods A survey was developed and distributed by Myositis Support and Understanding, a patient-led advocacy organization, to members of its group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and chi-squared tests were performed. Results A total of 468 participants completed the survey. 423 participants (dermatomyositis n = 183, polymyositis n = 109, and inclusion body myositis n = 131) were included, based on reported diagnosis, for final analysis. 91.5% of myositis participants reported current or past pain with 99% attributing their pain to myositis. There was a lower likelihood of pain in participants age over 60 years (OR 0.2, 95%CI : 0.1–0.6, p= 0.003). The percentage of participants reporting pain was statistically different based on myositis type (DM 97.2%, IBM 80.9%, and PM 94.5%, p< 0.001) with a higher likelihood of pain in DM compared with IBM (OR 3.7, 95%CI : 1.3–10.2, p= 0.011). There was a lower likelihood of pain in participants aged over 60 years (OR 0.2, 95%CI : 0.1–0.6, p= 0.003). Of the 387 participants reporting pain, 335 reported using pain medications (69% prescribed opioids). Male sex, age over 60 years, and myositis subtype were not associated with likelihood of non-opioid use. Conclusion Pain is a commonly reported symptom in myositis with variable treatment strategies, including opioid medications. This study highlights the importance of addressing pain as part of myositis treatment as well as the need for future studies understanding treatment effectiveness.

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“…Bhashyam et al 29 conducted a survey on pain perception and highlighted the frequency of opioid and non‐opioid pain medication use in these patients. One aspect often overlooked by researchers is medication abuse by patients due to pain.…”

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