Differential Gastrointestinal Effects of Who-Step III Opioids in Low Back Pain Patients with vs. Without Constipation: Post-Hoc Analysis of Data from a 12-Week Prospective, Open-Label Blinded Endpoint Streamlined Study

Objective: Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is the most prevalent patient complaint associated with longer-term opioid use and interferes with analgesic efficacy, functionality, quality-of-life, and patient compliance. To compare effects of prolonged release (PR) oxycodone and PR naloxone (OXN), vs. PR oxycodone (OXY) vs. PR morphine (MOR) on bowel function under real-life conditions in chronic low back pain (LBP) patients with vs. those without pre-existent constipation.