A Systematic Review of Pharmacological Interventions for Chronic Pain Management

Abstract

Estimates suggest that around 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, exacerbated by aging demographics. Chronic conditions are linked to additional health issues and reduced quality of life, highlighting the importance of effective treatments. Our study reviewed current pharmacological interventions for chronic pain management using databases like CNKI, CBM, and Embase. Meta-analysis indicated significant pain reduction with compound analgesics compared to opioids, non-opioids, and placebos. Results suggest high efficacy in treating nociplastic, neuropathic, and nociceptive pain. Chronic pain is a significant public health issue requiring effective pharmacological treatments with better side-effect profiles to enhance therapeutic recommendations. A systematic understanding of pain prevalence among healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers is crucial for addressing socioeconomic factors that aggravate the issue.