Which clinical diagnostic tools are most effective for assessing opioid-dependent women with the menopause?
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Which clinical diagnostic tools are most effective for assessing opioid-dependent women with the menopause?

David Solomon Senior lecturer in advanced nursing practice, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford

Opioid addiction and the menopause share similar signs and symptoms, which may confuse a diagnosis, impairing treatment options. The menopause is diagnosed commonly in middle-aged women by testing blood and urine. Opioid dependence is diagnosed using urine analysis, assessment and diagnostic tools. A misdiagnosis may result in unwanted symptomatology and chronic disease. Nurses need to develop a better understanding of how best to use clinical assessment tools to assess women who are opioid-dependent and experiencing the menopause.A combined assessment strategy should encourage nurses to identify a correct diagnosis and source of treatment.

Primary Health Care. 26, 1, 34-40. doi: 10.7748/phc.26.1.34.s31

Correspondence

david.solomon@anglia.ac.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double-blind review and checked using antiplagiarism software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 15 May 2015

Accepted: 15 July 2015

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