Is buprenorphine transdermal patch equally safe and effective in younger and elderly patients with osteoarthritis-related pain?
Efficacy and tolerability of buprenorphine patches was demonstrated in chronic pain patients, regardless of age, supporting the conclusion that no age-related dose adjustment of transdermal buprenorphine is needed. A study limitation is lack of active control but no other opioid was appropriate in elderly patients or this indication.
This observational analysis of the cohort, using the full range of observed variation in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid exposure, supports the negative findings of the randomized controlled trial.