Table 1

Inclusion criteria for the identification of relevant studies

PopulationPatients with chronic non-cancer pain lasting for at least 3 months prior to intervention

  • Intervention

  • ITDD systems using opioids alone or in combination with other agents

  • Comparator

  • Any comparator

  • Outcomes

  • Effectiveness data (ie, patient-reported QoL, pain intensity, disability, patient satisfaction)

  • Direct and/or indirect costs to the healthcare system, patients and society

  • Items of resource use

  • Cost per unit of outcome (ie, cost-per-QALY, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio)

  • Study design

  • Full and partial economic evaluations as defined by Drummond et al37

  • ITDD, intrathecal drug delivery; QALY, quality-adjusted life years; QoL, quality of life.