Chronic Opioids and Sleep Disordered Breathing.

Prescription opioid use for chronic pain has increased significantly in the past several decades, and an understanding of the risks associated with long term opioid use is important for the health of the patients. Past research has suggested a link between chronic opioid use and sleep apnea, which could have a significant effect on the morbidity and mortality of the chronic pain population. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of sleep apnea in the chronic pain population at the UCSD Center for Pain Medicine and Palliative Care Clinic, and to determine whether treatment of sleep apnea in patients with chronic pain has an positive effect on their pain levels