Exploring the link between gut microbiome and chronic opioid use

Identifying Associations in Gut Microbiome Patterns in Patients With Chronic Opioid Use Compared to Healthy Controls

Observational University of California, San Diego · NCT05304403

This study is trying to see how the gut bacteria of people who use opioids for chronic pain compare to those of healthy individuals to understand more about pain management.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Diego Academic / other
Locations1 site (La Jolla, California)
Trial IDNCT05304403 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the differences in gut microbiome composition between chronic opioid users and healthy controls. Approximately 100 consenting patients from a chronic pain clinic will provide fecal samples for microbiome analysis, alongside demographic and clinical data such as age, sex, body mass index, and pain characteristics. The study will utilize the Human Microbiome Project Database to compare the microbiome profiles of chronic opioid users with matched healthy controls. The goal is to better understand individual characteristics that may contribute to chronic opioid use and pain management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who have been using opioids for chronic pain for at least three months.

Not a fit: Patients who have had recent surgery or antibiotic use within the last three months may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding of chronic pain management and personalized treatment strategies for patients using opioids.

How similar studies have performed: While the relationship between the microbiome and chronic pain is gaining attention, this specific approach to studying chronic opioid use is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients (age greater than or equal to 18 years old) on chronic opioids (use of any amount of opioids for at least 3 months for a chronic pain condition)

Exclusion Criteria:

* No recent surgery within the last 3 months
* No antibiotic use within the last 3 months

Where this trial is running

La Jolla, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic PainOpioid Use
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.