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Chang CY, Jones BL, Hincapie-Castillo JM, Park H, Heldermon CD, Diaby V, Wilson DL, Lo-Ciganic WH. Association between trajectories of prescription opioid use and risk of opioid use disorder and overdose among US nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 204:561-577. [PMID: 38191684 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07205-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the association between prescription opioid use trajectories and risk of opioid use disorder (OUD) or overdose among nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors by treatment type. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included female nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors with at least 1 opioid prescription fill in 2010-2019 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results linked Medicare data. Opioid mean daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) calculated within 1.5 years after initiating active breast cancer therapy. Group-based trajectory models identified distinct opioid use trajectory patterns. Risk of time to first OUD/overdose event within 1 year after the trajectory period was calculated for distinct trajectory groups using Cox proportional hazards models. Analyses were stratified by treatment type. RESULTS Four opioid use trajectories were identified for each treatment group. For 38,030 survivors with systemic endocrine therapy, 3 trajectories were associated with increased OUD/overdose risk compared with early discontinuation: minimal dose (< 5 MME; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.73 [95% CI 1.43-2.09]), very low dose (5-25 MME; 2.67 [2.05-3.48]), and moderate dose (51-90 MME; 6.20 [4.69-8.19]). For 9477 survivors with adjuvant chemotherapy, low-dose opioid use was associated with higher OUD/overdose risk (aHR = 7.33 [95% CI 2.52-21.31]) compared with early discontinuation. For 3513 survivors with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the differences in OUD/OD risks across the 4 trajectories were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Among Medicare nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors receiving systemic endocrine therapy or adjuvant chemotherapy, compared with early discontinuation, low-dose or moderate-dose opioid use were associated with six- to sevenfold higher OUD/overdose risk. Breast cancer survivors at high-risk of OUD/overdose may benefit from targeted interventions (e.g., pain clinic referral).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yuan Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Bobby L Jones
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | | | - Haesuk Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Coy D Heldermon
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Vakaramoko Diaby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Debbie L Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Wei-Hsuan Lo-Ciganic
- Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
- Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, USA.
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Zhang YL, Mao JJ, Li QS, Weitzman M, Liou KT. Battlefield acupuncture for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors: a novel care delivery model for oncology acupuncture. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1279420. [PMID: 38116187 PMCID: PMC10728598 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1279420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), a standardized auricular acupuncture protocol, is widely used for pain in the military but is not well-studied in oncology. This study examined cancer survivors who received BFA for pain. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial that compared the effectiveness of BFA and electroacupuncture vs. usual care for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors. This study focused on participants randomized to BFA. Participants received 10 weekly treatments. Needles were placed until one of these stop conditions were satisfied: ten needles were administered; pain severity decreased to ≤1 out of 10; patient declined further needling, or vasovagal reaction was observed. Pain severity was assessed using Brief Pain Inventory. Responders were those with ≥30% pain severity reduction. We examined pain location, BFA stop reason, and pain reduction of participants during the first session. We also examined which factors predicted responder status after the first session (week 1) or the full treatment (week 12). Results Among 143 randomized to BFA, most common pain locations were lower back (30.8%) and knee/leg (18.2%). Of 138 who initiated treatment, 41 (30.0%) received ten needles; 81 (59.1%) achieved pain ≤1; 14 (10.2%) declined further needling; and 1 (0.7%) had vasovagal reaction. BFA reduced pain severity by 2.9 points (95% CI 2.6 to 3.2) after the first session (P < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline pain severity, responders at week 1 were 2.5 times more likely to be responders at week 12, compared to those who were non-responders at week 1 (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.02 to 6.11, P = 0.04). Among those who achieved pain ≤1, 74% were responders at week 12, a higher proportion compared to the proportion of responders among those who received ten needles (39.5%), those who declined further needling (50%), and those with vasovagal reaction (0.0%) (P = 0.001). Those with pain in proximal joints had a higher proportion of responders at week 12, compared to those with pain in distal joints (64.2% vs. 20%, P = 0.008). Conclusion Specific factors may predict the likelihood of achieving meaningful pain reduction from BFA. Understanding these predictors could inform precision pain management and acupuncture delivery models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kevin T. Liou
- Integrative Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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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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Beauchemin MP, Raghunathan RR, Accordino MK, Cogan JC, Kahn JM, Wright JD, Hershman DL. New persistent opioid use among adolescents and young adults with sarcoma. Cancer 2022; 128:2777-2785. [PMID: 35599575 PMCID: PMC10664461 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with sarcoma experience both acute and chronic pain related to their disease and treatment. Studies in older adults have reported a high risk of persistent opioid use after cancer therapy among previously opioid-naive patients; however, few studies have evaluated posttreatment opioid use among AYAs. This article describes patterns of new persistent opioid use among AYAs in the year after treatment for sarcoma. METHODS Opioid-naive patients who were 10 to 26 years old and diagnosed with sarcoma (2008-2016) were identified with the IBM Marketscan Database. Included subjects had an International Classification of Diseases code for sarcoma (ninth or tenth revision), received anticancer therapy (chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation) within 30 days of the first diagnosis code, and had continuous insurance coverage (commercial or Medicaid) for more than 12 months both before the diagnosis and after the last therapy. The primary outcome was new persistent opioid use, which was defined as at least 2 opioid prescriptions in the 12 months following treatment completion. Covariates included age, sex, insurance, tumor type, surgical procedure, mental health (MH) or substance use diagnoses before or during therapy, and concomitant lorazepam use. RESULTS In total, 938 patients met the inclusion criteria; 521 (56%) were male, and 578 (62%) were younger than 18 years. In total, 727 (78%) had commercial insurance, and 273 (29%) had an MH diagnosis either before or during the treatment period. Of the total group, 464 (49%) used opioids during treatment only. Of those who used opioids during treatment, 135 (23%) received at least 2 prescriptions in the year after therapy. In a multivariable analysis, Medicaid versus commercial insurance (odds ratio [OR], 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-2.64) and non-soft tissue sarcoma (OR for Ewing sarcoma, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.81-5.78; OR for osteosarcoma, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.36-3.09) conferred a higher likelihood of new persistent use. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of AYAs treated for sarcoma, 64% of the patients received opioid prescriptions during treatment, and 23% of these patients became new persistent users. Because of the risks associated with persistent opioid use, studies of novel pain management strategies along with age-appropriate education and anticipatory guidance are urgently needed. LAY SUMMARY Using an insurance claims database, we conducted a study to determine the rate of new persistent opioid use among adolescents and young adults treated for sarcoma. We found that 64% of adolescents and young adults treated for sarcoma received opioid prescriptions during treatment, and 23% of these patients met the criteria for new persistent opioid use. These findings support the need for age-appropriate education and novel pain management strategies in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa P. Beauchemin
- School of Nursing, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Rohit R. Raghunathan
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Melissa K. Accordino
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jacob C. Cogan
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Justine M. Kahn
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jason D. Wright
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Dawn L. Hershman
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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Gibson DC, Raji MA, Holmes HM, Baillargeon JG, Kuo YF. Risk of an Opioid-Related Emergency Department Visit or Hospitalization Among Older Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and Prostate Cancer Survivors. Mayo Clin Proc 2022; 97:560-570. [PMID: 35135691 PMCID: PMC8898260 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.08.030] [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: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether long-term cancer survivors (≥5 years after diagnosis) are at an increased risk of experiencing an opioid-related emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalization compared with persons without cancer. METHODS A 1:1 matched retrospective cohort study was performed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked data sets. The analysis was conducted from October 2020 to December 2020 in persons who lived 5 years or more after a breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer diagnosis matched to noncancer controls on the basis of age, sex, race, pain conditions, and previous opioid use. Fine-Gray regression models were used to assess the relationship between cancer survivorship status and opioid-related ED visit or hospitalization. RESULTS The incidence of opioid-related ED visits and hospitalizations was 51.2 (95% CI, 43.5 to 59.8) and 62.2 (95% CI, 53.4 to 72.1) per 100,000 person-years among cancer survivors and matched noncancer controls, respectively. No significant association was observed between survivorship and opioid-related adverse event among opioid naive (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.02) and non-naive (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.89) cohorts. CONCLUSION Cancer survivors and noncancer controls had a similar risk of an ED visit or inpatient admission. Guidelines and policies should promote nonopioid pain management approaches especially to opioid non-naive older adults, a population at high risk for an opioid-related ED visit or hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick C Gibson
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
| | - Mukaila A Raji
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
| | - Holly M Holmes
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
| | - Jacques G Baillargeon
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
| | - Yong-Fang Kuo
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
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Factors Affecting Inpatient Mortality and Length of Stay in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample. Am J Clin Oncol 2022; 45:14-21. [PMID: 34962905 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the effect of opioid use and other factors on inpatient length of stay (LOS) and mortality among patients hospitalized with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (NMCRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed discharge encounters collected from the 2016 to 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to evaluate the effect of long-term opioid use (90 d or longer) and cancer-related complications on LOS and mortality among hospitalized patients with NMCRC. RESULTS A total of 94,535 patients with NMCRC were included in the analysis. Long-term opioid users had a shorter average LOS and reduced inpatient mortality as compared with nonopioid users (5.97±5.75 vs. 6.66±6.92 d, P<0.01; and adjusted odds ratio=0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.56-0.93, respectively). Factors that significantly increased both LOS and mortality included infection, venous thromboembolism, and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia; the average LOS was 2.7, 2.6, and 0.7 days longer, and the adjusted odds ratio for risk of inpatient mortality was 3.7, 1.2, and 1.2, respectively (P<0.05), for patients admitted with these cancer-related complications. CONCLUSIONS Long-term opioid use is associated with decreased LOS and inpatient mortality among patients with NMCRC. Individuals admitted for cancer-related complications face a longer LOS and increased mortality as compared with those admitted without these morbidities.
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Check DK, Bagett CD, Kim K, Roberts AW, Roberts MC, Robinson T, Oeffinger KC, Dinan MA. Predictors of Chronic Opioid Use: A Population-level Analysis of North Carolina Cancer Survivors Using Multi-Payer Claims. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:1581-1589. [PMID: 33881543 PMCID: PMC8562975 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djab082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background No population-based studies have examined chronic opioid use among cancer survivors who are diverse with respect to diagnosis, age group, and insurance status. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using North Carolina cancer registry data linked with claims from public and private insurance (2006-2016). We included adults with nonmetastatic cancer who had no prior chronic opioid use (n = 38 366). We used modified Poisson regression to assess the adjusted relative risk of chronic opioid use in survivorship (>90-day continuous supply of opioids in the 13-24 months following diagnosis) associated with patient characteristics. Results Only 3.0% of cancer survivors in our cohort used opioids chronically in survivorship. Predictors included younger age (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 50-59 vs 60-69 = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05 to 1.43), baseline depression (aRR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.41) or substance use (aRR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.78) and Medicaid (aRR vs private = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.56 to 2.40). Survivors who used opioids intermittently (vs not at all) before diagnosis were twice as likely to use opioids chronically in survivorship (aRR = 2.62, 95% CI = 2.28 to 3.02). Those who used opioids chronically (vs intermittently or not at all) during active treatment had a nearly 17-fold increased likelihood of chronic use in survivorship (aRR = 16.65, 95% CI = 14.30 to 19.40). Conclusions Younger and low-income survivors, those with baseline depression or substance use, and those who require chronic opioid therapy during treatment are at increased risk for chronic opioid use in survivorship. Our findings point to opportunities to improve assessment of psychosocial histories and to engage patients in shared decision-making around long-term pain management, when chronic opioid therapy is required during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - KyungSu Kim
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Megan C Roberts
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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