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Thornton JD, Varisco T, Patel H, Shrestha M, Wanat M, Schaefer E, Leslie D, Zhao H, Saadi RA, Shen C. Characterising incident opioid use among incident users of prescription sedative hypnotics: A national cohort study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082339. [PMID: 38816043 PMCID: PMC11138274 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate co-prescribing of sedatives hypnotics and opioids. DESIGN Retrospective study evaluating the association of patient characteristics and comorbidities with coprescribing. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Using the national Merative MarketScan Database between 2005 and 2018, we identified patients who received an incident sedative prescription with or without subsequent, incident opioid prescriptions within a year of the sedative prescription in the USA. OUTCOME MEASURES Coprescription of sedative-hypnotics and opioids. RESULTS A total of 2 632 622 patients (mean (SD) age, 43.2 (12.34) years; 1 297 356 (62.5%) female) received incident prescriptions for sedatives over the course of the study period. The largest proportion of sedative prescribing included benzodiazepines (71.1%); however, z-drugs (19.9%) and barbiturates (9%) were also common. About 557 845 (21.2%) patients with incident sedatives also received incident opioid prescriptions. About 59.2% of these coprescribed patients received opioids coprescription on the same day. Multivariate logistic regression findings showed that individuals with a comorbidity index score of 1, 2 or ≥3 (aOR 1.19 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.21), 1.17 (95% C 1.14 to 1.19) and 1.25 (95% C 1.2 to 1.31)) and substance use disorder (1.21 (95% C 1.19 to 1.23)) were more likely to be coprescribed opioids and sedatives. The likelihood of receiving both opioid and sedative prescriptions was lower for female patients (aOR 0.93; 95% CI 0.92 to 0.94), and those receiving a barbiturate (aOR 0.3; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.31) or z-drugs (aOR 0.67; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.68) prescriptions at the index date. CONCLUSIONS Coprescription of sedatives with opioids was associated with the presence of comorbidities and substance use disorder, gender and types of sedatives prescribed at the index date. Additionally, more than half of the coprescribing occurred on the same day which warrants further evaluation of current prescribing and dispensing best practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Douglas Thornton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tyler Varisco
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Harshil Patel
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mina Shrestha
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew Wanat
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eric Schaefer
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas Leslie
- Center for Applied Studies in Health Economics, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Randa Al Saadi
- Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chan Shen
- Division of Outcomes Research and Quality, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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Nabulsi NA, Sharp LK, Sweiss KI, Patel PR, Calip GS, Lee TA. Patterns of prescription opioid use and opioid-related harms among adult patients with hematologic malignancies. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2023:10781552231210788. [PMID: 37942515 DOI: 10.1177/10781552231210788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment advances for hematologic malignancies (HM) have dramatically improved life expectancy, necessitating greater focus on long-term cancer pain management. This study explored real-world patterns of opioid use among patients with HM. METHODS This retrospective cohort study identified adults diagnosed with HM from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2019 using the Truven MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database. Across several HM types, we described rates of high-risk opioid use (based on Pharmacy Quality Alliance measures) and opioid-related harms, including incident opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnoses and opioid-related hospitalizations or emergency department (ED) visits. We used multivariable Cox regression to generate adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals comparing the risk of opioid-related harms between patients with versus without high-risk opioid use. RESULTS Our sample included 43,190 patients with HM. Median age at HM diagnosis was 54 years (interquartile range = 44-60). Most patients (61.9%) were diagnosed with lymphoma. Approximately half (49.2%) had an opioid dispensed in the follow-up period. Among all patients, 20.0% met criteria for high-risk opioid use, 0.9% had an OUD diagnosis, and 0.3% experienced an opioid-related hospitalization/ED visit in follow-up. High-risk opioid use increased the risk of an OUD diagnosis by 3.3 times (p < 0.0001) and an opioid-related hospitalization/ED visit 4.2 times (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION High-risk opioid use was prevalent among patients with HM and significantly increased the risk of opioid-related harms. However, rates of opioid-related harms were low. These findings highlight the importance of continually monitoring pain and opioid use throughout HM survivorship to provide safe, effective HM pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia A Nabulsi
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lisa K Sharp
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Karen I Sweiss
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pritesh R Patel
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gregory S Calip
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Todd A Lee
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Dore S, Weleff J, Anand A, Thompson NR, Barnett BS. Race, economic status, and disparities in the receipt of benzodiazepine prescriptions in a large primary care sample. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2023; 85:28-34. [PMID: 37729721 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between race, economic status, and patient characteristics with benzodiazepine prescribing in an urban and suburban primary care context. METHOD This retrospective study used data from a previously described cohort of patients seen in a large Ohio healthcare system's primary care clinics from 2019 to 2020. Associations and interactions between race, economic status (using median income of patient ZIP code as a proxy), patient characteristics, and prescription of benzodiazepines were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS 455,537 patients had 1,643,473 primary care visits, and 5.8% of patients were prescribed a benzodiazepine. White patients were prescribed benzodiazepines more often than Multiracial/Multicultural, African American and Asian American patients (6.5%, 3.8%, 2.7% and 2.0% respectively). Patients from lower income ZIP codes were less likely to receive a prescription. Interaction effects were observed between race, patient economic status, gender, insurance status, and diagnoses (general anxiety disorder, insomnia, and panic disorder). The largest prescribing disparities by race were among patients with these three diagnoses. The largest disparity in prescription by income was seen in African American patients. CONCLUSION African American, Multicultural/Multiracial and Asian American patients were less likely than White patients to receive benzodiazepine prescriptions. Middle and lower-income patients are particularly susceptible to this prescribing disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samyukta Dore
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Jeremy Weleff
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Akhil Anand
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Nicolas R Thompson
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Neurological Institute, Center for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Brian S Barnett
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Crowley AP, Sun C, Yan XS, Navathe A, Liao JM, Patel MS, Pagnotti D, Shen Z, Delgado MK. Disparities in emergency department and urgent care opioid prescribing before and after randomized clinician feedback interventions. Acad Emerg Med 2023; 30:809-818. [PMID: 36876410 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Racial and ethnic minorities receive opioid prescriptions at lower rates and dosages than White patients. Though opioid stewardship interventions can improve or exacerbate these disparities, there is little evidence about these effects. We conducted a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted among 438 clinicians from 21 emergency departments and 27 urgent care clinics. Our objective was to determine whether randomly allocated opioid stewardship clinician feedback interventions that were designed to reduce opioid prescriptions had unintended effects on disparities in prescribing by patient race and ethnicity. METHODS The primary outcome was likelihood of receiving a low-pill prescription (low ≤10 pills, medium 11-19 pills, high ≥20 pills). Generalized mixed-effects models were used to determine patient characteristics associated with low-pill prescriptions during the baseline period. These models were then used to determine whether receipt of a low-pill prescription varied by patient race or ethnicity during the intervention period between usual care and three opioid stewardship interventions: (1) individual audit feedback, (2) peer comparison feedback, and (3) combined (individual audit + peer comparison) feedback. RESULTS Compared with White patients, Black patients were more likely to receive a low-pill prescription during the baseline (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.31, p = 0.002) and intervention (adjusted OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.07-1.91, p = 0.015). While combined feedback was associated with an overall increase in low-pill prescriptions as intended (adjusted OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.28-2.78, p = 0.001), there were no significant differences in treatment effects of any of the interventions by patient race and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS Combined individual audit and peer comparison feedback was associated with fewer opioid pills per prescription equally by patient race and ethnicity. However, the intervention did not significantly close the baseline disparity in prescribing by race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan P Crowley
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chuxuan Sun
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaowei Sherry Yan
- Center for Health Systems Research, Sutter Health, Walnut Creek, California, USA
| | - Amol Navathe
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joshua M Liao
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - David Pagnotti
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zijun Shen
- Center for Health Systems Research, Sutter Health, Walnut Creek, California, USA
| | - M Kit Delgado
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Charron E, Brooks JH, Peterson KT, Akinwolere OG, Winhusen T, Cochran G. Mapping prescription drug monitoring program data to self-report measures of non-medical prescription opioid use in community pharmacy settings. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023; 19:1171-1177. [PMID: 37142474 PMCID: PMC10523937 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community pharmacists are well-positioned to identify patients engaged in non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) through Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) databases. Integrating patient-reported outcomes with PDMP data may improve the interpretability of PDMP information to support clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVE This study linked patient-reported clinical measures of substance use with PDMP data to examine relationships between average daily opioid dose in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and visits to multiple pharmacies/prescribers with self-reported NMPOU. METHODS Data from a cross-sectional health assessment given to patients aged ≥18 years filling opioid prescriptions were linked to PDMP records. NMPOU in the past three months was assessed on a continuous scale (range 0-39) using an adapted version of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). PDMP measures included average daily MME and number of distinct pharmacies/prescribers visited in the past 180 days. Univariable and multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial models estimated associations between PDMP measures and any NMPOU and severity of use. RESULTS The sample included 1421 participants. In multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic, mental health, and physical health characteristics, any NMPOU was associated with higher average daily MME (adjusted OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.05-1.39) and number of distinct prescribers visited (adjusted OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01-1.30). Higher average daily MME (adjusted mean ratio (MR) = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08-1.15), number of distinct pharmacies visited (adjusted MR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.04-1.18), and number of distinct prescribers visited (adjusted MR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02-1.11) were associated with increased NMPOU severity. CONCLUSIONS We observed significant, positive associations between average daily MME and visits to multiple pharmacies/prescribers with any NMPOU and severity of use. This study demonstrates self-report clinical measures of substance use can be cross-walked to PDMP data and translated into clinically interpretable information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Charron
- Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Schusterman Center, Tulsa OK, USA; Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA) Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Jennifer H Brooks
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA; Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Keegan T Peterson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | - T Winhusen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Center for Addiction Research, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Gerald Cochran
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA) Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Ukhanova M, Voss RW, Marino M, Huguet N, Bailey SR, Hartung DM, O'Malley J, Chamine I, Muench J. Chronic overlapping pain conditions and long-term opioid treatment. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE 2023; 29:233-239. [PMID: 37229782 PMCID: PMC10516299 DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES One in 5 people in the United States lives with chronic pain. Many patients with chronic pain experience a subset of specific co-occurring pain conditions that may share a common pain mechanism and that have been designated as chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs). Little is known about chronic opioid prescribing patterns among patients with COPCs in primary care settings, especially among socioeconomically vulnerable patients. This study aims to evaluate opioid prescribing among patients with COPCs in US community health centers and to identify individual COPCs and their combinations that are associated with long-term opioid treatment (LOT). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS We conducted analyses of more than 1 million patients 18 years and older based on electronic health record data from 449 US community health centers across 17 states between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2018. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between COPCs and LOT. RESULTS Individuals with COPCs were prescribed LOT 4 times more often than individuals without a COPC (16.9% vs 4.0%). The presence of chronic low back pain, migraine headache, fibromyalgia, or irritable bowel syndrome combined with any of the other COPCs increased the odds of LOT prescribing compared with the presence of a single COPC. CONCLUSIONS Although LOT prescribing has declined over time, it remains relatively high among patients with certain COPCs and for those with multiple COPCs. These study findings suggest target populations for future interventions to manage chronic pain among socioeconomically vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ukhanova
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3405 SW Perimeter Ct, Mail code: FM, Portland, OR 97239.
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Nair VV, Cabrera P, Ramírez-Lecaros C, Jara MO, Brayden DJ, Morales JO. Buccal delivery of small molecules and biologics: Of mucoadhesive polymers, films, and nanoparticles - An update. Int J Pharm 2023; 636:122789. [PMID: 36868332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Buccal delivery of small and large molecules is an attractive route of administration that has been studied extensively over the past few decades. This route bypasses first-pass metabolism and can be used to deliver therapeutics directly to systemic circulation. Moreover, buccal films are efficient dosage forms for drug delivery due to their simplicity, portability, and patient comfort. Films have traditionally been formulated using conventional techniques, including hot-melt extrusion and solvent casting. However, newer methods are now being exploited to improve the delivery of small molecules and biologics. This review discusses recent advances in buccal film manufacturing, using the latest technologies, such as 2D and 3D printing, electrospraying, and electrospinning. This review also focuses on the excipients used in the preparation of these films, with emphasis on mucoadhesive polymers and plasticizers. Along with advances in manufacturing technology, newer analytical tools have also been used for the assessment of permeation of the active agents across the buccal mucosa, the most critical biological barrier and limiting factor of this route. Additionally, preclinical and clinical trial challenges are discussed, and some small molecule products already on the market are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha V Nair
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Pablo Cabrera
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile
| | | | - Miguel O Jara
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - David J Brayden
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and UCD Conway Institute, Belfield, Dublin D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Javier O Morales
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Center of New Drugs for Hypertension (CENDHY), Santiago 8380492, Chile; Drug Delivery Laboratory, Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnología Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile.
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Hechter RC, Pak KJ, Chang CK, Xie F, Gray PL, Ling Grant DS, Barreras JL, Zhou H. Chronic and Sustained High-Dose Opioid Use in an Integrated Health System. Am J Prev Med 2023; 64:167-174. [PMID: 36653099 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain released in 2016 had led to decreases in opioid prescribing. This study sought to examine chronic and sustained high-dose prescription opioid use in an integrated health system. METHODS A serial cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 to estimate the annual age-adjusted prevalence and incidence of chronic and high-dose opioid use among demographically diverse noncancer adults in an integrated health system in Southern California during 2013-2020. Interrupted time-series analysis with segmented regression was conducted to estimate changes in the trends in annual rates before (2013-2015) and after (2017-2020) the 2016 guideline, treating 2016 as a wash-out period. RESULTS Prevalence and incidence of chronic use and sustained high-dose use had started to decrease after a health system intervention program before the 2016 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline release and continued to decline after the guideline. Among those with sustained high-dose use, there was a substantial decrease in persons with an average daily dosage ≥90 morphine milligram equivalent and concurrent benzodiazepine use. An accelerated decrease in prevalent chronic use after the guideline was observed (slope change: -11.1 [95% CI= -20.3, -1.9] users/10,000 person-years, p=0.03). The incidence of chronic use and sustained high-dose use continued to decrease after the guideline release but at a slower pace. CONCLUSIONS Implementing evidence-based prescribing guidelines was associated with a decrease in chronic and sustained high-dose prescription opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rulin C Hechter
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California; Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California.
| | - Katherine J Pak
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
| | - Craig K Chang
- Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Panorama City, California
| | - Fagen Xie
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
| | - Patricia L Gray
- Clinical Pharmacy Operations, Kaiser Permanente, Riverside, California
| | - Deborah S Ling Grant
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
| | - Joanna L Barreras
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California; Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California
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Hartung DM, Lucas JA, Huguet N, Bailey SR, O’Malley J, Voss RW, Chamine I, Muench J. Sedative-hypnotic Co-prescribing with Opioids in a Large Network of Community Health Centers. J Prim Care Community Health 2023; 14:21501319221147378. [PMID: 36625271 PMCID: PMC9834924 DOI: 10.1177/21501319221147378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE When prescribed with opioids, sedative-hypnotics substantially increase the risk of overdose. The objective of this paper was to describe characteristics and trends in opioid sedative-hypnotic co-prescribing in a network of safety-net clinics serving low-income, publicly insured, and uninsured individuals. METHODS This retrospective longitudinal analysis of prescription orders examined opioid sedative-hypnotic co-prescribing rates between 2009 and 2018 in the OCHIN network of safety-net community health centers. Sedative-hypnotics included benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine sedatives (eg, zolpidem). Co-prescribing patterns were assessed overall and across patient demographic and co-morbidity characteristics. RESULTS From 2009 to 2018, 240 587 patients had ≥1 opioid prescriptions. Most were White (65%), female (59%), and had Medicaid insurance (43%). One in 4 were chronic opioid users (25%). During this period, 55 332 (23%) were co-prescribed a sedative-hypnotic. The prevalence of co-prescribing was highest for females (26% vs 19% for males), non-Hispanic Whites (28% vs 13% for Hispanic to 20% for unknown), those over 44 years of age (25% vs 20% for <44 years), Medicare insurance (30% vs 21% for uninsured to 22% for other/unknown), and among those on chronic opioid therapy (40%). Co-prescribing peaked in 2010 (32%) and declined steadily through 2018 (20%). Trends were similar across demographic subgroups. Co-prescribed sedative-hypnotics remained elevated for those with chronic opioid use (27%), non-Hispanic Whites (24%), females (23%), and those with Medicare (23%) or commercial insurance (22%). CONCLUSIONS Co-prescribed sedative-hypnotic use has declined steadily since 2010 across all demographic subgroups in the OCHIN population. Concurrent use remains elevated in several population subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M. Hartung
- Oregon State University, Oregon Health
& Science University, Portland, OR, USA,Daniel M. Hartung, College of Pharmacy,
Oregon State University @ Oregon Health & Science University, Robertson
Collaborative Life Sciences Building (RLSB), 2730 S Moody Ave., CL5CP, Portland,
OR 97201-5042, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Irina Chamine
- Oregon Health & Science University,
Portland, OR, USA
| | - John Muench
- Oregon Health & Science University,
Portland, OR, USA,OCHIN, Portland, OR, USA
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Suda KJ, Evans CT, Gibson G, Jurasic MM, Poggensee L, Gonzalez B, Hubbard CC, Vivo A, Cunningham FE, McGregor JC, Gellad WF. Opioid Prescribing by Dentists in the Veterans Health Administration. Am J Prev Med 2022; 63:371-383. [PMID: 35341616 PMCID: PMC9780026 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonopioid analgesics are more effective for most oral pain, but data suggest that dental prescribing of opioids is excessive. This study evaluates the extent to which opioids exceed recommendations and the characteristics associated with opioid overprescribing by Veterans Health Administration dentists. METHODS This was a national cross-sectional study of Veterans' dental visits from 2015 to 2018. Overprescribing was defined per national guidelines as >120 morphine milligram equivalents (primary outcome). The association of dental visit and patient demographic and medical characteristics was modeled with overprescribing (defined as >120 morphine milligram equivalents) using Poisson regression with clustering by facility and patient. A secondary analysis assessed opioid prescriptions >3 days' supply. The dates of analysis were January 2020‒May 2021. RESULTS Of the 196,595 visits, 28.7% exceeded 120 morphine milligram equivalents. Friday visits and people with chronic oral pain or substance misuse were associated with a higher prevalence of overprescribing. Women, older Veterans, and Black and Latinx Veterans were less likely to be overprescribed than men, younger Veterans, and White Veterans, respectively. Routine dental visits had a higher prevalence of opioid overprescribing than invasive visits. Opioid overprescribing decreased over time. White Veterans were more likely to receive oxycodone and hydrocodone, whereas people of Black race and Latinx ethnicity were more likely to receive codeine and tramadol. In the secondary analysis, 68.5% of opioid prescriptions exceeded a 3-day supply. CONCLUSIONS Nearly 1 in 3 opioids prescribed by Veterans Health Administration dentists exceed guidelines. Prescribing higher potency and quantities of opioids, especially on Fridays and to certain demographic groups, should be addressed as part of dental opioid stewardship programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie J Suda
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Charlesnika T Evans
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Gretchen Gibson
- Veterans Health Administration Office of Dentistry, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - M Marianne Jurasic
- Veterans Health Administration Office of Dentistry, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia; Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Linda Poggensee
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hines, Illinois
| | - Beverly Gonzalez
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hines, Illinois
| | - Colin C Hubbard
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Amanda Vivo
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hines, Illinois
| | - Fran E Cunningham
- Pharmacy Benefits Management Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hines, Illinois
| | | | - Walid F Gellad
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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11
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Charron E, Okifuji A, Bryan MA, Reese S, Brown JL, Ferguson A, Ghitza UE, Winhusen T, Cochran G. Pain Severity and Interference and Substance Use Among Community Pharmacy Patients Prescribed Opioids: A Secondary Analysis of the PHARMSCREEN Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 23:1448-1459. [PMID: 35417791 PMCID: PMC9356992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.03.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
This secondary analysis examined relationships between pain severity and interference and substance use among patients filling opioid prescriptions in Indiana and Ohio community pharmacies (n = 1,461). We likewise sought to explore the moderating role of gender in pain-substance use relations. We used patient-reported data from a cross-sectional health survey linked with controlled substance dispensing data from statewide prescription drug monitoring programs. Multivariable logistic regression estimated associations between pain severity and interference and various indices of risky prescription opioid use and non-opioid substance use. Exploratory analyses examined whether gender moderated associations. Increased pain severity was associated with increased odds of moderate- to high-risk opioid use (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.16-1.31) and opioid-benzodiazepine co-use (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.03-1.40). Increased pain interference was associated with greater odds of receiving opioids from multiple pharmacies or providers (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.01-1.31). Increased pain severity and interference were associated with higher odds of any tobacco use (severity: OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06-1.21; interference: OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01-1.12) and weekly to daily sedative use (severity: OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03-1.25; interference: OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04-1.22). Increased pain severity was associated with decreased odds of any alcohol use (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.99). Gender was a significant effect modifier in associations between pain and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. The study was registered in the database of clinicaltrials.gov (register number NCT03936985). Perspective: This study suggests that pain severity and interference are associated with increased use of non-medical prescription opioids, sedatives, and tobacco and decreased use of alcohol, in ways that are different between women and men. Findings may guide the development of gender-sensitive evidence-based strategies to ameliorate or prevent substance misuse among patients living with pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Charron
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA), Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
| | - Akiko Okifuji
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - M Aryana Bryan
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA), Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Sarah Reese
- School of Social Work, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
| | - Jennifer L Brown
- Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati College of Arts and Sciences, ML 0376 4130N Edwards One Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Addiction Research, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Andrew Ferguson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Addiction Research, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Udi E Ghitza
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Center for Clinical Trials Network, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - T Winhusen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Addiction Research, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Gerald Cochran
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA), Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
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12
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Voepel-Lewis T, Veliz P, Heinze J, Boyd CJ, Zikmund-Fisher B, Lenko R, Grant J, Bromberg H, Kelly A, Tait AR. Enhancing risk perception may be insufficient to curtail prescription opioid use and misuse among youth after surgery: A randomized controlled trial. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:2217-2224. [PMID: 35216854 PMCID: PMC9203921 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This randomized controlled trial examined whether an interactive, risk-focused educational program was associated with higher risk perceptions and decreased prescription opioid use/misuse among emerging adults. METHODS 503 participants aged 15-24 years scheduled for ambulatory surgery were randomized to routine prescription education with or without our Scenario-Tailored Opioid Messaging Program (STOMP) provided prior to receipt of a prescribed opioid. Surveys were completed preoperatively, and at days 7&14, months 1&3 postoperatively. Outcomes included analgesic risk perceptions, opioid use, and misuse intentions/behavior. RESULTS Compared to Controls, STOMP was associated with stable but higher risk perceptions on day 14 (β = 1.76 [95% CI 0.53, 2.99], p = .005) and month 3 (β = 2.13 [95% CI 0.86, 3.40], p = .001). There was no effect of STOMP or analgesic misuse risk perceptions on days of opioid use or subsequent misuse intentions/behavior. The degree to which participants valued pain relief over analgesic risk (trade-off preference) was, however, associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use and later misuse. CONCLUSION Education emphasizing the risks of opioids was insufficient in reducing opioid use and misuse in youth who were prescribed these analgesics for acute pain relief. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Education may need to better address analgesic expectations to shorten opioid use and mitigate misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri Voepel-Lewis
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Science at the School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Phillip Veliz
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Justin Heinze
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Carol J Boyd
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Science at the School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brian Zikmund-Fisher
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rachel Lenko
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - John Grant
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Harrison Bromberg
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alyssa Kelly
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alan R Tait
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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13
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Ray GT, Altschuler A, Karmali R, Binswanger I, Glanz JM, Clarke CL, Ahmedani B, Andrade SE, Boscarino JA, Clark RE, Haller IV, Hechter R, Roblin DW, Sanchez K, Yarborough BJ, Bailey SR, McCarty D, Stephens KA, Rosa CL, Rubinstein AL, Campbell CI. Development and implementation of a prescription opioid registry across diverse health systems. JAMIA Open 2022; 5:ooac030. [PMID: 35651523 PMCID: PMC9150082 DOI: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Develop and implement a prescription opioid registry in 10 diverse health systems across the US and describe trends in prescribed opioids between 2012 and 2018. Materials and Methods Using electronic health record and claims data, we identified patients who had an outpatient fill for any prescription opioid, and/or an opioid use disorder diagnosis, between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018. The registry contains distributed files of prescription opioids, benzodiazepines and other select medications, opioid antagonists, clinical diagnoses, procedures, health services utilization, and health plan membership. Rates of outpatient opioid fills over the study period, standardized to health system demographic distributions, are described by age, gender, and race/ethnicity among members without cancer. Results The registry includes 6 249 710 patients and over 40 million outpatient opioid fills. For the combined registry population, opioid fills declined from a high of 0.718 per member-year in 2013 to 0.478 in 2018, and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per fill declined from 985 MMEs per fill in 2012 to 758 MMEs in 2018. MMEs per member declined from 692 MMEs per member in 2012 to 362 MMEs per member in 2018. Conclusion This study established a population-based opioid registry across 10 diverse health systems that can be used to address questions related to opioid use. Initial analyses showed large reductions in overall opioid use per member among the combined health systems. The registry will be used in future studies to answer a broad range of other critical public health issues relating to prescription opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Thomas Ray
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern
California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Andrea Altschuler
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern
California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Ruchir Karmali
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern
California, Oakland, California, USA
- Mathematica, Oakland, California,
USA
| | - Ingrid Binswanger
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente
Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Colorado Permanente Medical Group,
Denver, Colorado, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of
Medicine, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Jason M Glanz
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente
Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of
Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christina L Clarke
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente
Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Brian Ahmedani
- Center for Health Policy & Health Services
Research, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Susan E Andrade
- Meyers Primary Care Institute, University of
Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts,
USA
| | - Joseph A Boscarino
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger
Clinic, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robin E Clark
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health,
University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, Worcester,
Massachusetts, USA
| | - Irina V Haller
- Essentia Institute of Rural Health,
Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rulin Hechter
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of
Medicine, Pasadena, California, USA
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser
Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Douglas W Roblin
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser
Permanente, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine Sanchez
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute,
Dallas, Texas, and School of Social Work, University of Texas at
Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Bobbi Jo Yarborough
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente
Northwest, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Steffani R Bailey
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health
& Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Dennis McCarty
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health,
Portland, Oregon, USA
- Division of General and Internal Medicine, School
of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland,
Oregon, USA
| | - Kari A Stephens
- Department of Family Medicine, University of
Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carmen L Rosa
- Center for the Clinicals Trials Network, National
Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda,
Maryland, USA
| | - Andrea L Rubinstein
- Department of Pain Medicine, The Permanente Medical
Group, Santa Rosa, California, USA
| | - Cynthia I Campbell
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern
California, Oakland, California, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of
Medicine, Pasadena, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California,
USA
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14
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Self-Reported Practices and Emotions in Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study of German Physicians. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092506. [PMID: 35566644 PMCID: PMC9104176 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The pressure on physicians when a patient seeks pain relief and their own desire to be self-effective may lead to the prescription of strong opioids for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). This study, via physician self-reporting, aims to identify and measure (i) physician adherence to national opioid prescribing guidelines and (ii) physician emotions when a patient seeks a dosage increase of the opioid. Methods: Within a cross-sectional survey—conducted as part of a randomized controlled online intervention trial (ERONA)—600 German physicians were queried on their opioid prescribing behavior (choice and formulation of opioid, indications) for CNCP patients and their emotions to a case vignette describing a patient seeking an opioid dosage increase without signs of objective deterioration. Results: The prescription of strong opioids in this study was not always in accordance with current guidelines. When presented with a scenario in which a patient sought to have their opioid dose increased, some physicians reported negative feelings, such as either pressure (25%), helplessness (25%), anger (23%) or a combination. The risk of non-guideline-compliant prescribing behavior using the example of ultrafast-acting fentanyl for CNCP was increased when negative emotions were present (OR: 1.7; 95%-CI: 1.2−2.6; p = 0.007) or when sublingual buprenorphine was prescribed (OR: 15.4; 95%-CI: 10.1−23.3; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Physicians’ emotional self-awareness represents the first step to identify such direct reactions to patient requests and to ensure a responsible, guideline-based opioid prescription approach for the long-term well-being of the patient.
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15
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Navathe AS, Liao JM, Yan XS, Delgado MK, Isenberg WM, Landa HM, Bond BL, Small DS, Rareshide CAL, Shen Z, Pepe RS, Refai F, Lei VJ, Volpp KG, Patel MS. The Effect Of Clinician Feedback Interventions On Opioid Prescribing. Health Aff (Millwood) 2022; 41:424-433. [PMID: 35254932 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
An initial opioid prescription with a greater number of pills is associated with a greater risk for future long-term opioid use, yet few interventions have reliably influenced individual clinicians' prescribing. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of feedback interventions for clinicians in reducing opioid prescribing. The interventions included feedback on a clinician's outlier prescribing (individual audit feedback), peer comparison, and both interventions combined. We conducted a four-arm factorial pragmatic cluster randomized trial at forty-eight emergency department (ED) and urgent care (UC) sites in the western US, including 263 ED and 175 UC clinicians with 294,962 patient encounters. Relative to usual care, there was a significant decrease in pills per prescription both for peer comparison feedback (-0.8) and for the combination of peer comparison and individual audit feedback (-1.2). This decrease was sustained during follow-up. There were no significant changes for individual audit feedback alone, and no interventions changed the proportion of encounters with an opioid prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amol S Navathe
- Amol S. Navathe , Corporal Michael J. Cresencz Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joshua M Liao
- Joshua M. Liao, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, and University of Pennsylvania
| | - Xiaowei S Yan
- Xiaowei S. Yan, Sutter Health, Walnut Creek, California
| | | | | | | | - Barbara L Bond
- Barbara L. Bond, Sutter Health, Castro Valley, California
| | | | | | - Zijun Shen
- Zijun Shen, Sutter Health, San Francisco
| | | | | | | | | | - Mitesh S Patel
- Mitesh S. Patel, Corporal Michael J. Cresencz Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pennsylvania
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16
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Muench J, Hoopes M, Mayhew M, Pisciotta M, Shortreed SM, Livingston CJ, Von Korff M, DeBar LL. Reduction of Long-Term Opioid Prescribing for Back Pain in Community Health Centers After a Medicaid Policy Change. J Am Board Fam Med 2022; 35:352-369. [PMID: 35379722 PMCID: PMC10464932 DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.02.210306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beginning around 2011, innumerable policies have aimed to improve pain treatment while minimizing harms from excessive use of opioids. It is not known whether changing insurance coverage for specific conditions is an effective strategy. We describe and assess the effect of an innovative Oregon Medicaid back/neck pain coverage policy on opioid prescribing patterns. METHODS This retrospective cohort study uses electronic health record data from a network of community health centers (CHCs) in Oregon to analyze prescription opioid dose changes among patients on long-term opioid treatment (LOT) affected by the policy. RESULTS Of the 1,789 patients on LOT at baseline, 41.6% had an average daily dose of <20 morphine milligram equivalents (MME), 32.3% had ≥20 to <50 MME, 14.5% had ≥50 to <90 MME, and 11.6% ≥90 MME. Around half of each group discontinued opioids within the 18-month policy period. Those who discontinued did so gradually (average of 11 months) regardless of starting dosage. Predictors of discontinuation included: diagnosis of opioid use disorder, older, non-Hispanic white, and less medical complexity. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of starting opioid dose, nearly half of patients affected by the 2016 Oregon Medicaid back/neck pain treatment policy no longer received opioid prescriptions by the end of the 18-month study period; another 30% decreased their dose. Gradual dose reduction was typical. These outcomes suggest that the policy impacted opioid prescribing. Understanding patient experiences resulting from such policies could help clinicians and policy makers navigate the complex balance between potential harms and benefits of LOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Muench
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL).
| | - Megan Hoopes
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL)
| | - Meghan Mayhew
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL)
| | - Maura Pisciotta
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL)
| | - Susan M Shortreed
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL)
| | - Catherine J Livingston
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL)
| | - Michael Von Korff
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL)
| | - Lynn L DeBar
- From the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (JM); OCHIN, Inc., Portland, OR (MH and MP); Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR (MM, SMS, MVK, and LLD); and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR (CJL)
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17
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Huguet N, Hodes T, Bailey SR, Marino M, Hartung DM, Voss R, O'Malley J, Chamine I, Muench J. Characterizations of Opioid Prescribing in Community Health Centers in 2018. J Prim Care Community Health 2022; 13:21501319221074115. [PMID: 35098789 PMCID: PMC8808028 DOI: 10.1177/21501319221074115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To identify the patient- and clinic-level correlates of any prescription opioid use, chronic use, and high-dose opioid use in a multi-state network of Community Health Centers (CHCs). Methods: We used electronic health record data from 337 primary care clinics serving 610 983 patients across 15 states in 2018. The primary outcomes were prescription of any opioid, chronic opioid, and high-dose opioid. Results: Overall, 6.5% of patients were prescribed an opioid; of these, 31% were chronic users and 5% were high-dose users. Males had 5% lower odds (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.95; 95% Confidence Interval = 0.93-0.97) of being prescribed an opioid but 16% higher odds (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.10-1.21) of being chronic users and 48% (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.36-1.64) higher odds of being high-dose users than females. Rural clinics had higher rates of chronic opioid (rate ratio = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.20, 2.88) and high-dose users (rate ratio = 2.95; 95% CI = 1.81-4.81). Conclusions: Our study highlights variations in opioid prescribing with regard to patient-level and clinic-level factors. Targeted efforts and resources may be required to support rural CHCs who seek to reduce high-risk opioid prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tahlia Hodes
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Miguel Marino
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | | | | | - Irina Chamine
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - John Muench
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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18
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Milner KA, DeNisco SM, Greer AE. Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain in Federally Qualified Health Centers Post–Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines. J Nurse Pract 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2021.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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19
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Cochran G, Brown J, Yu Z, Frede S, Bryan MA, Ferguson A, Bayyari N, Taylor B, Snyder ME, Charron E, Adeoye-Olatunde OA, Ghitza UE, Winhusen T. Validation and threshold identification of a prescription drug monitoring program clinical opioid risk metric with the WHO alcohol, smoking, and substance involvement screening test. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 228:109067. [PMID: 34610516 PMCID: PMC8612015 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are critical for pharmacists to identify risky opioid medication use. We performed an independent evaluation of the PDMP-based Narcotic Score (NS) metric. METHODS This study was a one-time, cross-sectional health assessment within 19 pharmacies from a national chain among adults picking-up opioid medications. The NS metric is a 3-digit composite indicator. The WHO Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was the gold-standard to which the NS metric was compared. Machine learning determined optimal risk thresholds; Receiver Operating Characteristic curves and Spearman (P) and Kappa (K) coefficients analyzed concurrent validity. Regression analyses evaluated participant characteristics associated with misclassification. RESULTS The NS metric showed fair concurrent validity (area under the curve≥0.70; K=0.35; P = 0.37, p < 0.001). The ASSIST and NS metric categorized 37% of participants as low-risk (i.e., not needing screening/intervention) and 32.3% as moderate/high-risk (i.e., needing screening/intervention). Further, 17.2% were categorized as low ASSIST risk but moderate/high NS metric risk, termed false positives. These reported disability (OR=3.12), poor general health (OR=0.66), and/or greater pain severity/interference (OR=1.12/1.09; all p < 0.05; i.e., needing unmanaged-pain screening/intervention). A total of 13.4% were categorized as moderate/high ASSIST risk but low NS metric risk, termed false negatives. These reported greater overdose history (OR=1.24) and/or substance use (OR=1.81-12.66; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The NS metric could serve as a useful initial universal prescription opioid-risk screener given its: 1) low-burden (i.e., no direct assessment); 2) high accuracy (86.5%) of actionable data identifying low-risk patients and those needing opioid use/unmanaged pain screening/intervention; and 3) broad availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Cochran
- University of Utah, Department of Internal Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Jennifer Brown
- University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 260 Stetson Street Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559, USA; Center for Addiction Research, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| | - Ziji Yu
- University of Utah, Department of Internal Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Stacey Frede
- Kroger Pharmacy, 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA.
| | - M Aryana Bryan
- University of Utah, Department of Internal Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Andrew Ferguson
- University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 260 Stetson Street Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559, USA.
| | - Nadia Bayyari
- University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 260 Stetson Street Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559, USA.
| | - Brooke Taylor
- Kroger Pharmacy, 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA.
| | - Margie E Snyder
- Purdue University, College of Pharmacy, 575 Stadium Mall Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Charron
- University of Utah, Department of Internal Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | | | - Udi E Ghitza
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Center for Clinical Trials Network, 3 White Flint North MSC 6022, 301 North Stonestreet Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852, USA.
| | - T Winhusen
- University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 260 Stetson Street Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559, USA; Center for Addiction Research, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Jani M, Girard N, Bates DW, Buckeridge DL, Sheppard T, Li J, Iqbal U, Vik S, Weaver C, Seidel J, Dixon WG, Tamblyn R. Opioid prescribing among new users for non-cancer pain in the USA, Canada, UK, and Taiwan: A population-based cohort study. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003829. [PMID: 34723956 PMCID: PMC8601614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The opioid epidemic in North America has been driven by an increase in the use and potency of prescription opioids, with ensuing excessive opioid-related deaths. Internationally, there are lower rates of opioid-related mortality, possibly because of differences in prescribing and health system policies. Our aim was to compare opioid prescribing rates in patients without cancer, across 5 centers in 4 countries. In addition, we evaluated differences in the type, strength, and starting dose of medication and whether these characteristics changed over time. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study of adults who are new users of opioids without prior cancer. Electronic health records and administrative health records from Boston (United States), Quebec and Alberta (Canada), United Kingdom, and Taiwan were used to identify patients between 2006 and 2015. Standard dosages in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) were calculated according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Age- and sex-standardized opioid prescribing rates were calculated for each jurisdiction. Of the 2,542,890 patients included, 44,690 were from Boston (US), 1,420,136 Alberta, 26,871 Quebec (Canada), 1,012,939 UK, and 38,254 Taiwan. The highest standardized opioid prescribing rates in 2014 were observed in Alberta at 66/1,000 persons compared to 52, 51, and 18/1,000 in the UK, US, and Quebec, respectively. The median MME/day (IQR) at initiation was highest in Boston at 38 (20 to 45); followed by Quebec, 27 (18 to 43); Alberta, 23 (9 to 38); UK, 12 (7 to 20); and Taiwan, 8 (4 to 11). Oxycodone was the first prescribed opioid in 65% of patients in the US cohort compared to 14% in Quebec, 4% in Alberta, 0.1% in the UK, and none in Taiwan. One of the limitations was that data were not available from all centers for the entirety of the 10-year period. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we observed substantial differences in opioid prescribing practices for non-cancer pain between jurisdictions. The preference to start patients on higher MME/day and more potent opioids in North America may be a contributing cause to the opioid epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Jani
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Rheumatology, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Nadyne Girard
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, University of McGill, Montreal, Canada
- Clinical and Health Informatics Research Group, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - David W. Bates
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David L. Buckeridge
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, University of McGill, Montreal, Canada
- Clinical and Health Informatics Research Group, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Therese Sheppard
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Li
- International Centre for Health Information Technology (ICHIT), Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Usman Iqbal
- International Centre for Health Information Technology (ICHIT), Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shelly Vik
- Applied Research and Evaluation Services, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Community Health Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Colin Weaver
- Applied Research and Evaluation Services, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Community Health Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Judy Seidel
- Applied Research and Evaluation Services, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Community Health Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - William G. Dixon
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Rheumatology, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Robyn Tamblyn
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, University of McGill, Montreal, Canada
- Clinical and Health Informatics Research Group, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- * E-mail:
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21
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Barr A, Eilat-Tsanani S. Prescribing Analgesics for Low Back Pain: Is There a Gender Difference? J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021; 31:79-83. [PMID: 34619048 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gender differences have been described in many fields of pain. However, research is inconclusive as to gender difference in pain management. Our study aimed to investigate gender differences in prescribing analgesics for low back pain. Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study based on data originated from computerized health records. We retrieved data on low back pain diagnosis, among patients aged 18-64 years during 2016. Visits due to trauma and fracture were excluded, as were visits of patients with known neoplasm, or neurological or congenital defects. Data included demographics and the analgesics prescribed. Results: The cohort comprised 45,479 patients; of them, 55% were women. The mean age was 42.9 ± 12.6 years. Analgesics were prescribed to 49% of the men and 47% of the women (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.11). The distribution of analgesics was similar between the genders: overall, 73% nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 23% opioids, 4% other analgesics, mainly paracetamol and dipyrone. A higher proportion of men were prescribed strong opioids than women: 17% versus 8% (OR 2.36, 95% CI 2.03-2.75). Conclusion: Men and women were similarly prescribed analgesics for low back pain. Men were more likely than women to be prescribed strong opioids. Further research is needed to evaluate the outcomes of this differential treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Barr
- The Department of Family Medicine, Clalit Health Services, Northern Region, Afula, Israel
| | - Sophia Eilat-Tsanani
- The Department of Family Medicine, Clalit Health Services, Northern Region, Afula, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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