The Burden of Opioid-Induced Constipation in Younger Patients with Chronic Noncancer Pain.

Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the experience of opioid-induced constipation in younger patients and identify differences in the experience of opioid-induced constipation and its symptoms between younger patients (<50 years) and older patients (50-64 years). Design: Post hoc analysis of data from a 24-week prospective, multinational, longitudinal observational cohort study (NCT01928953). Setting: Outpatient clinics in the United States, Canada, Germany, and United Kingdom. Subjects: Two age-based subgroups of adult patients with chronic noncancer pain receiving four or more weeks of daily opioid therapy and experiencing opioid-induced constipation within the previous two weeks. Methods: The number of spontaneous bowel movements, frequency of constipation symptoms, amount of bother associated with symptoms, Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms questionnaire, and health-related quality of life and function outcomes. Results: Overall, 419 patients were included in this analysis (younger patients, N = 184; older patients, N = 235). Among younger and older patients, respectively, constipation occurred within the first week after initiating opioid therapy for 32.8% and 35.9%. At baseline, the mean numbers of spontaneous bowel movements/week were 1.3 and 1.5, and moderate opioid-induced constipation-related interference with pain management was reported by 46.6% and 44.5%. Younger patients generally reported that opioid-induced constipation symptoms were more bothersome than did older patients. The impact of opioid-induced constipation on health-related quality of life, work productivity, and day-to-day activities was comparable. Conclusions: In these patients receiving opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain, the burden of opioid-induced constipation was comparable or greater for patients aged <50 years compared with that for patients aged 50-64 years.

A Survey of Key Opinion Leaders to Support Curriculum Development in Advanced Medical Science Liaison Training.

Medical science liaisons (MSLs) are field-based pharmaceutical or biomedical industry professionals whose role demands specialized product knowledge and skill in executing customer-facing activities. This report describes a survey of key opinion leaders (KOLs) to identify MSL skills most highly valued and those in need of enrichment with the objective of designing an advanced training curriculum for experienced MSLs. A total of 66 MSLs representing diverse therapeutic areas verbally administered a 9-question survey at the conclusion of a routine MSL-KOL interaction. There were 296 surveys completed, with most respondents (239 of 281; 82%) indicating that they meet with MSLs from other companies. Ninety-five percent (218 of 230) responded that the value provided by MSLs was comparable to that offered by other companies. When asked about top MSL attributes, KOLs mentioned product knowledge, scientific credibility, therapeutic area knowledge, timeliness of response, and communication skills. In terms of resources provided by MSLs, KOLs most often mentioned scientific information, unbiased product information, therapeutic area developments (including pipeline discussions), disease state information, and potential involvement in research or as an advisor. Based on the quantitative and qualitative results of this survey, a workshop curriculum focusing on advanced communication skills and networking techniques was developed and conducted successfully.