Opioid analgesic drugs in older people.

Many studies have corroborated the finding that older patients in all clinical settings are at risk for insufficient assessment and inadequate management of pain. Opioid analgesics can greatly improve the quality of life and functional capacities of older patients with moderate to severe pain that is not responsive to other therapies; however, these agents are underused in this population. To improve the care of older patients, clinicians must develop expertise in appropriate indications, pharmacologic properties, drug-disease and drug-drug interactions, and ongoing monitoring of opioid analgesic therapy.