New study finds chronic wound patients who never receive opioids heal faster

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/gwu-nsf112116.php

Public Release: 21-Nov-2016
New study finds chronic wound patients who never receive opioids heal faster
GW researcher Victoria Shanmugam, M.D., published a study looking at the relationship between opioid treatment and the rate of healing in chronic wounds
George Washington University

Patients with chronic wounds who never receive opioids heal faster than those who do receive the drugs, according to a new study by George Washington University (GW) researcher Victoria Shanmugam, M.D.

Published in Wound Repair and Regeneration, the data suggests that opioid exposure is associated with reduced likelihood of healing in patients with chronic wounds. While there is a strong correlation, whether this is a causal relationship will require further research.

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Chronic wounds are those that have failed to heal after three months of appropriate wound care. Approximately 6.5 million people in the U.S. experience chronic wounds. They cause considerable pain, affecting patient well-being and quality of life, and significantly impact their mortality. Additionally, costs associated with chronic wounds are estimated at $25 billion per year.

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