[The clinical relevance of opioid-induced hyperalgesia remains unresolved].

Opioids are widely used as analgesics in chronic pain of malignant as well as non-malignant origin. During opioid treatment, pain is occasionally worsened. This could be due to progression of the disease or tolerance or opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). The present article summarizes the preclinical and clinical data in support of the existence of OIH. Further, possible mechanisms and potential treatments are outlined. We conclude that only a few clinical studies on OIH are available. However, a growing body of experimental data supports the presence of OIH in clinical settings. Diagnostic tools for assessment of OIH have yet to be developed.