Table 5: Comparison of pain frequency, intensity, and quality based on current use of opioids. Reported as either percentage of respondents (%) or mean ± sd.

Currently using opioids (n = 74) Not using opioids (n = 144) P
Pain frequency Constant (80-100%) 55.4% 23.5% < 0.001**
Near constant (50-79%) 33.8% 26.5% < 0.001**
Intermittent (25-49%) 6.8% 29.4% < 0.001**
Occasional (< 25%) 4.1% 20.6% < 0.001**
Average pain severity 3.0 ± 0.7 2.4 ± 0.8 < 0.001**
Average pain intensity 5.5 ± 2.2 3.9 ± 2.6 < 0.001**
Experiencing sudden pain increases 98.6% 84.3% 0.001*
No pain remission 82.2% 61.8% 0.004*
Pain as presenting MFS symptom 43.2% 25.0% 0.008*

SD = Standard Deviation; *P ≤ 0.05; **P < 0.001.

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