Abuse and misuse of tramadol in patients with non-oncologic pain in a region of Southern Europe

This study shows that being an aged woman and suffering from chronic pain seems to involve a risk of generating dependence on tramadol. Likewise, a suspicion of recreational use of tramadol by young people has also been identified. There is a need to investigate how to manage chronic pain, given its complexity and take into account the risk of misuse that may come with tramadol. The involvement of characteristics such as gender as well as the pharmaceutical form in the development of tramadol misuse also needs to be analysed deeply. It is mandatory to evaluate the criteria for prescribing tramadol and initiatives to improve the knowledge of the health professionals and the population.