JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Pragmatic Clinical Trial
Effect of Opioid vs Nonopioid Medications on Pain-Related Function in Patients With Chronic Back Pain or Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: The SPACE Randomized Clinical Trial.
Limited evidence is available regarding long-term outcomes of opioids compared with nonopioid medications for chronic pain. ⋯ Treatment with opioids was not superior to treatment with nonopioid medications for improving pain-related function over 12 months. Results do not support initiation of opioid therapy for moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain.