The risk for developing depression may be up to twice as high in people receiving long-term opioids as it is in those taking these medications for shorter periods—over and above the depression inherently associated with having chronic pain, according to new study data (Ann Fam Med 2016;14:54-62). The researchers did not find a link between depression and opioid dose.
A 10-member research team reviewed outcome data from tens of thousands of patients who had been treated at one Veterans