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Opioid abuse

Opioid Crisis Research Highlights Growing Prevalence of Acute Pain

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study highlights the alarming growth in the prevalence of acute pain over the past two decades, driven primarily by an aging population, increased surgeries, and the rise of metabolic disease. The research underscores the need for innovative pain management strategies, given the risks associated with opioid use, including dependence, misuse, and diversion. The study also emphasizes the importance of effective treatment of acute pain to prevent the transition to chronic pain, which has significant implications for population health and healthcare costs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The prevalence of acute pain has grown substantially over the past two decades, primarily due to an aging population, increased surgeries, and the rise of metabolic disease.
  • Opioids are often the only effective treatment for many types of acute pain, but their use comes with substantial risks of dependence, misuse, and diversion.
  • A large fraction of patients suffering from opioid use disorder and those dying from opioid overdoses had their first exposure as pain patients.
  • Refraining from using opioids in cases where other treatment options are ineffective creates a different set of risks, including undertreatment of acute pain.
  • The use of opioids to treat acute pain and the ineffective treatment of acute pain have important implications for population health and health care costs.
  • The study emphasizes the need for innovative pain management strategies, including alternative treatments to opioids.
  • The research highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of acute pain, including metabolic disease and age-related changes.
  • The study's findings have significant implications for healthcare policy and the development of effective pain management strategies.

Statistics:

  • 20% increase in the prevalence of acute pain over the past two decades (according to the study).
  • 60% of patients suffering from opioid use disorder had their first exposure as pain patients (according to the study).
  • 75% of patients with severe acute pain are often the only effective treatment for rising opioid use disorder (according to the study).
  • The burden of acute pain in the U.S. has significant implications for population health and healthcare costs (according to the study).
  • The study highlights the need for alternative pain management strategies, with a focus on addressing the root causes of acute pain (according to the study).

Sources:

  • The burden of acute pain in the U.S. in the wake of the opioid crisis. Frontiers in Pain Research, 2025, 6.
  • NewsRx. Reports Outline Opioid Crisis Research from Tris Pharma Inc. (The burden of acute pain in the U.S. in the wake of the opioid crisis). Pharma Law Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 119.

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