Trends in long-term opioid prescribing in primary care patients with musculoskeletal conditions: an observational database study

Proactive clinical review of patients taking opioid medicines long term for persistent pain led by clinical pharmacists in primary care teams (PROMPPT): a non-randomised mixed methods feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Given the poor long-term effectiveness of opioids for persistent non-cancer pain, and their potential for harm, evidence-based interventions to address opioid overprescribing for persistent pain are needed. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a primary care practice pharmacist-led intervention (PROMPPT review) for patients prescribed opioids for persistent pain and the feasibility of evaluating PROMPPT in a definitive trial.

METHODS

A single-arm study, with mixed methods process evaluation, was conducted in four English primary care practices. Adults prescribed opioids for ≥ 6 months were invited to participate in the Management of Opioids and Persistent Pain (MOPP) study by completing baseline and 3-month follow-up questionnaires. Practices invited a representative sample of MOPP participants to schedule a PROMPPT review, eight of which were audio-recorded. Following the review, pharmacists completed intervention delivery templates, and participants were sent an Acceptability Questionnaire and invited to consent to an interview.

RESULTS

Between November 2020 and May 2021, 148 participants were recruited to the MOPP study. Of these, 123 (83%) completed 3-month follow-up. Of 88 MOPP participants invited for a PROMPPT review, 80 (91%) attended. The review was rated completely acceptable or acceptable in 90% (45/50) of acceptability questionnaires returned. Overall, participants interviewed (n = 15) perceived the review as a good idea and recommended it to others; they preferred face-to-face consultations. Prior to the review, they reported mixed feelings, including feeling 'pleased' to be invited and 'grateful' someone was taking an interest, alongside concerns about what would happen during the review, including opioids being stopped and changes being detrimental. Following the review, those with a clear plan for follow-up/access to the pharmacist felt reassured about making changes to their pain medicines, whilst those advised to arrange follow-up as needed were less satisfied and more likely to report confusion about the plan.

CONCLUSIONS

PROMPPT reviews appeared acceptable to patients, review uptake was high, and the study demonstrated the feasibility of a large definitive trial to evaluate PROMPPT. The review invitation, patient information, and pharmacist training were refined based on the findings ahead of a large cluster randomised controlled trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN, ISRCTN87628403 , registered 31 July 2020.

The prescribing of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in the menopausal and postmenopausal population: a drug utilisation study in the UK

BACKGROUND

Opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is consistently higher in menopausal and postmenopausal women than in younger women or men, elevating their risk of opioid-related adverse health outcomes. Since pain severity increases with hormonal changes accompanying menopause, these women should be a focus of opioid stewardship efforts.

AIM

To examine opioid prescribing trends for CNCP in menopausal and postmenopausal women diagnosed with a musculoskeletal condition.

DESIGN & SETTING

Population-based drug utilisation study, which was undertaken with data from IQVIA Medical Research Data UK.

METHOD

Annual opioid prescribing incidence, prevalence, and average duration of use were calculated for a cohort of women aged 50-79 years with musculoskeletal conditions newly diagnosed between 2010 and 2021. Specific results were stratified by age, pain indication, and Townsend score.

RESULTS

From 2010-2021, incident prescribing rates of opioids increased in women aged 50-54 years (161.4 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 149.7 to 174.0] per 1000 person-years at risk [PYAR] in 2010 to 239.6 [95% CI = 211.7 to 271.2] per 1000 PYAR in 2021); these women discontinued opioid use faster (<1 year) than older age groups (~2 years). Overall, opioid prescribing prevalence decreased from 23% in 2010 to 14% in 2021, and average opioid use duration decreased from 3 years to 1 year (2010-post-2017) in women aged 50-79 years.

CONCLUSION

The overall observed decrease in prevalence and average duration of opioid use is encouraging. Incident prescriptions are rising in women aged 50-54 years and those with fibromyalgia while remaining steady in women aged 55-79 years. Understanding the impact of menopause and post-menopause on opioid use trends is important for effective opioid stewardship.

Patterns of analgesic utilisation among people with knee osteoarthritis: a cohort study using UK primary care data

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disabling joint disease affecting more than 300 million people globally and knees are most commonly affected. It is associated with pain and functional limitation that adversely affect mental well-being and compromise quality of life. Analgesic use is common among patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), however, data on patterns of analgesics use at an individual patient level are sparse. The present study describes patterns of analgesic use, by determining the proportion of persistent users within one year of therapy initiation in patients with KOA.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study using the clinical practice research datalink. Analgesic prescriptions for adults with an incident KOA diagnosis were captured and grouped into five exposure groups including: antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol. A persistent user was a person who used >180 defined daily doses (DDDs) per year and had prescriptions in at least three out of the four quarters of the year.

Results

Variable proportions of patients used respective analgesic classes persistently during the first year after prescribing; 36.8% of antidepressant users, 27.0% of NSAIDs, 23.8% of AEDs, 17.5% of paracetamol and 14.9% of opioid users were persistent users. Across classes, persistent users were slightly younger, were issued more prescriptions and used higher doses of analgesics compared to non-persistent users.

Conclusion

Between 14.9% and 36.8% became persistent analgesic users by the end of the first year after their initial prescription. The study applied meaningful clinical attributes to define persistence. This informs future research on clinical and adverse drug outcomes in persistent users compared to non-persistent users across five separate analgesic classes.

Designing a primary care pharmacist-led review for people treated with opioids for persistent pain: a multi-method qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Opioids are frequently prescribed for persistent non-cancer pain despite limited evidence of long-term effectiveness and risk of harm. Evidence-based interventions to address inappropriate opioid prescribing are lacking.

AIM

To explore perspectives of people living with persistent pain to understand barriers and facilitators in reducing opioids in the context of a pharmacist-led primary care review, and identify review components and features for optimal delivery.

DESIGN & SETTING

A multi-method qualitative study undertaken in the primary care setting in the UK.

METHOD

Adults with experience of persistent pain and taking opioids participated in semi-structured interviews (n = 15, 73% female) and an online discussion forum (n = 31). The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) provided a framework for data collection and thematic analysis, involving deductive analysis to TDF domains, inductive analysis within domains to generate sub-themes, and sub-theme comparison to form across-domain overarching themes. The behaviour change technique taxonomy (v1) and motivational behaviour change technique classification system were used to systematically map themes to behaviour change techniques to identify potential review components and delivery features.

RESULTS

Thirty-two facilitator and barrier sub-themes for patients reducing opioids were identified across 13 TDF domains. These combined into the following six overarching themes: learning to live with pain; opioid reduction expectations; assuming a medical model; pharmacist-delivered reviews; pharmacist-patient relationship; and patient engagement. Sub-themes mapped to 21 unique behaviour change techniques, yielding 17 components and five delivery features for the proposed PROMPPT review.

CONCLUSION

This study generated theoretically informed evidence for design of a practice pharmacist-led PROMPPT review. Future research will test the feasibility and acceptability of the PROMPPT review and pharmacist training.

Prognostic Factors and Treatment Effect Modifiers for Physical Health, Opioid Prescription, and Health Care Utilization in Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders in Primary Care: Exploratory Secondary Analysis of the STEMS Randomized Trial of Direct Access to Physical Therapist-Led Care

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the study were to identify prognostic factors associated with health care outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in primary care and to determine whether characteristics associated with choice of care modify treatment effects of a direct-access physical therapist-led pathway in addition to general practitioner (GP)-led care compared to GP-led care alone.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of a 2-parallel-arm, cluster randomized controlled trial involving general practices in the United Kingdom was conducted. Practices were randomized to continue offering GP-led care or to also offer a direct-access physical therapist-led pathway. Data from adults with MSK conditions who completed the 6-month follow-up questionnaire were analyzed. Outcomes included physical health, opioid prescription, and self-reported health care utilization over 6 months. Treatment effect modifiers were selected a priori from associations in observational studies. Multivariable regression models identified potential prognostic factors, and interaction analysis tested for potential treatment effect modifiers.

RESULTS

Analysis of 767 participants indicated that baseline pain self-efficacy, pain severity, and having low back pain statistically predicted outcomes at 6 months. Higher pain self-efficacy scores at baseline were associated with improved physical health scores, reduced opioid prescription, and less health care utilization. Higher bodily pain at baseline and having low back pain were associated with worse physical health scores and increased opioid prescription. Main interaction analyses did not reveal that patients' age, level of education, duration of symptoms, or MSK presentation influenced response to treatment, but visual trends suggested those in the older age group proceeded to fewer opioid prescriptions and utilized less health care when offered direct access to physical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with MSK conditions with lower levels of pain self-efficacy, higher pain severity, and presenting with low back pain have less favorable clinical and health care outcomes in primary care. Prespecified characteristics did not modify the treatment effect of the offer of a direct-access physical therapist-led pathway compared to GP-led care.

IMPACT

Patients with MSK conditions receiving primary care in the form of direct-access physical therapist-led or GP-led care who have lower levels of self-efficacy, higher pain severity, and low back pain are likely to have a less favorable prognosis. Age and duration of symptoms should be explored as potential patient characteristics that modify the treatment response to a direct-access physical therapist-led model of care.

Use and misuse of psychoactive medicines: a descriptive cross-sectional study in a densely populated region of Portugal

Introduction

Although psychoactive medicines (PMed) are needed in several psychiatric conditions, their use and misuse bear risks. We aimed at estimating the prevalence of PMed use and misuse.

Methods

Data on all PMed prescribed in 2017 and dispensed in community pharmacies of the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region of Portugal (ARSLVT) were extracted from ARSLVT medicines' dispensing database. For 21 PMed among prescription opioids, benzodiazepines and z-drugs (BZDR), antidepressants (AD) and anticonvulsants (AC), we estimated the number of users of each PMed, and assessed PMed misuse by a set of proxy indicators for studying this practice: chronic use (use of ≥180 DDD during the study period) of PMed intended for short-term treatments, concomitant use of several PMed, in particular if involving long-term (≥ 30 days) opioid analgesic (OA) use, and doctor shopping (patients consulting several physicians in order to have access to a quantity higher than intended by each prescriber). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing, and multivariate logistic regression was used to explore potential factors affecting long-term concomitant treatment of chronic OA with other PMed.

Results

PMed use prevalence was 21.7%: 6.6% for OA, 12.7% for benzodiazepines (BZD), 5.3% for AD and 2.8% for AC. BZDR were mainly prescribed in primary care and OA in hospital outpatients. Chronic use of PMed was observed in 25%, especially with sertraline and buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (long-term treatment), and lorazepam (short-term treatment). About 56.6% of OA chronic users were long-term concurrent users with other PMed, mainly BZDR. Risk of abuse was low for BZDR, whilst four opioids had meaningful doctor shopping indicators - fentanyl, opioid use disorder buprenorphine, morphine and hydromorphone.

Conclusions

BZD are the main PMed used in ARSLVT, often chronically, especially lorazepam. Prevalence of OA use is low, although with higher risk of misuse than BZDR. Concomitant use of several PMed is frequent.

Analgesic prescribing in patients with inflammatory arthritis in England: observational studies in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink

OBJECTIVES

Despite little evidence that analgesics are effective in inflammatory arthritis (IA), studies report substantial opioid prescribing. The extent this applies to other analgesics is uncertain. We undertook a comprehensive evaluation of analgesic prescribing in patients with IA in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum to evaluate this.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2020, cross-sectional analyses evaluated analgesic prescription annual prevalence in RA, PsA and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), stratified by age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation and geography. Joinpoint regression evaluated temporal prescribing trends. Cohort studies determined prognostic factors at diagnosis for chronic analgesic prescriptions using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Analgesic prescribing declined over time but remained common: 2004 and 2020 IA prescription prevalence was 84.2/100 person-years (PY) (95% CI 83.9, 84.5) and 64.5/100 PY (64.2, 64.8), respectively. In 2004, NSAIDs were most prescribed (56.1/100 PY; 55.8, 56.5), falling over time. Opioids were most prescribed in 2020 (39.0/100 PY; 38.7, 39.2). Gabapentinoid prescribing increased: 2004 prevalence 1.1/100 PY (1.0, 1.2); 2020 prevalence 9.9/100 PY (9.7, 10.0). Most opioid prescriptions were chronic (2020 prevalence 23.4/100 PY [23.2, 23.6]). Non-NSAID analgesic prescribing was commoner in RA, older people, females and deprived areas/northern England. Conversely, NSAID prescribing was commoner in axSpA/males, varying little by deprivation/geography. Peri-diagnosis was high-risk for starting chronic opioid/NSAID prescriptions. Prognostic factors for chronic opioid/gabapentinoid and NSAID prescriptions differed, with NSAIDs having no consistently significant association with deprivation (unlike opioids/gabapentinoids).

CONCLUSION

IA analgesic prescribing of all classes is widespread. This is neither evidence-based nor in line with guidelines. Peri-diagnosis is an opportune moment to reduce chronic analgesic prescribing.

Understanding general practitioners' prescribing choices to patients with chronic low back pain: a discrete choice experiment

BACKGROUND

Although NSAIDs are recommended as a first line analgesic treatment, opioids are very commonly prescribed to patients with low back pain (LBP) despite risks of harms.

AIM

This study aimed to determine factors contributing to general practitioners' (GPs') prescribing choices to patients with chronic LBP in a primary care setting.

METHOD

This discrete choice experiment (DCE) presented 210 GPs with hypothetical scenarios of a patient with chronic LBP. Participants chose their preferred treatment for each choice set, either the opioid, NSAID or neither. The scenarios varied by two patient attributes; non-specific LBP or LBP with referred leg pain (sciatica) and number of comorbidities. The three treatment attributes also varied, being: the type of opioid or NSAID, degree of pain reduction and number of adverse events. The significance of each attribute in influencing clinical decisions was the primary outcome and the degree to which GPs preferred the alternative based on the number of adverse events or the amount of pain reduction was the secondary outcome.

RESULTS

Overall, GPs preferred NSAIDs (45.2%, 95% CI 38.7-51.7%) over opioids (28.8%, 95% CI 23.0-34.7%), however there was no difference between the type of NSAID or opioid preferred. Additionally, the attributes of pain reduction and adverse events did not influence a GP's choice between NSAIDs or opioids for patients with chronic LBP.

CONCLUSION

GPs prefer prescribing NSAIDs over opioids for a patient with chronic low back pain regardless of patient factors of comorbidities or the presence of leg pain (i.e. sciatica).

Trends in consultations and prescribing for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: an electronic primary care records study

BACKGROUND

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are common and generally managed in primary care through supported self-care, physiotherapy, analgesia, and specialist referral where indicated. The COVID-19 pandemic led to abrupt changes in primary care delivery, including moves to remote consulting, pauses on group-based self-care, and restricted referrals.

AIM

To describe how patterns of UK primary healthcare consultations and analgesic prescribing relating to RMDs changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Observational study using routinely collected national primary care electronic health record data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink between 1 April 2017 and 1 October 2021.

METHOD

RMD and analgesic SNOMED-CT codes were derived through consensus and published work. Prevalent and incident RMD-related consultations were determined, and RMD consultations matched to prevalent and incident analgesia prescriptions. Joinpoint regression was used to describe trends over time.

RESULTS

Prevalent and incident RMD consultations steadily increased until March 2020 when a substantial drop occurred as pandemic- related restrictions were introduced; levels had not recovered to pre-pandemic highs by October 2021. While incident and prevalent analgesic prescribing also reduced around March 2020, the proportion of patients with an RMD consultation prescribed any analgesic increased from 27.72% in February 2020 to 38.15% in April 2020, with increases across all analgesic groups. A higher proportion of strong opioid prescriptions was seen in the most deprived areas.

CONCLUSION

Pandemic-associated restrictions led to fewer primary care consultations and relative increases in analgesic prescribing, including strong opioids, for RMDs in the UK. Policymakers must consider the impact of these changes in future healthcare resource planning.

Trends in gabapentinoid prescribing in UK primary care using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink: an observational study

Background

The UK government reclassified gabapentin and pregabalin as 'controlled drugs' from April 2019. This study aimed to describe the trends in gabapentinoid prescribing before and immediately after reclassification, in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, an electronic primary care health record broadly representative of the UK.

Methods

Separately for gabapentin and pregabalin, we calculated annual incident and prevalent prescribing rates from year of UK approval (April 1997 and 2004 respectively) to September 2019, and monthly incident and prevalent prescribing rates (October 2017-September 2019). Significant changes in temporal trends were determined using joinpoint regression. We also described potential prescribing indications, prior pain-related prescribing, and co-prescribing with potentially interacting medicines.

Findings

Incident gabapentin prescribing increased annually, peaking in 2016-17, at 625/100,000 patient years before falling steadily to 2019. Incident pregabalin prescribing peaked at 329/100,000 patient years in 2017-18 and did not fall significantly until 2019. Prevalent gabapentin and pregabalin prescribing increased annually to 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively, before plateauing. Gabapentinoids were commonly co-prescribed with opioids (60%), antidepressants (52%), benzodiazepines (19%), and Z-drugs (10%).

Interpretation

Following a dramatic rise, incident gabapentinoid prescribing has started to fall but the specific impact of reclassification on prescribing rates remains unclear. Limited change in prevalent gabapentinoid prescribing during the 6 months following their reclassification as controlled drugs suggests little immediate impact on continued gabapentinoid prescribing for existing users.

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit Programme. NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands. NIHR School for Primary Care Research.

Opioid prescribing and social deprivation: A retrospective analysis of prescribing for CNCP in Liverpool CCG

BACKGROUND

Treating Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (CNCP) with long-term, high dose and more potent opioids puts patients at increased risk of harm, whilst providing limited pain relief. Socially deprived areas mapped from Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores show higher rates of high dose, strong opioid prescribing compared to more affluent areas.

OBJECTIVE

To explore if opioid prescribing is higher in more deprived areas of Liverpool (UK) and assess the incidence of high dose prescribing to improve clinical pathways for opioid weaning.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This retrospective observational study used primary care practice and patient level opioid prescribing data for N = 30,474 CNCP patients across Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (LCCG) between August 2016 and August 2018.

METHOD

A Defined Daily Dose (DDD) was calculated for each patient prescribed opioids. DDD was converted into a Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED) and patients stratified according to high (≥120mg) MED cut off. The association between prescribing and deprivation was analysed by linking GP practice codes and IMD scores across LCCG.

RESULTS

3.5% of patients were prescribed an average dose above 120mg MED/day. Patients prescribed long-term, high dose, strong opioids were more likely to be female, aged 60+, prescribed three opioids and reside in the North of Liverpool where there is a higher density of areas in the IMD most deprived deciles.

CONCLUSION

A small but significant proportion of CNCP patients across Liverpool are currently prescribed opioids above the recommended dose threshold of 120mg MED. Identification of fentanyl as a contributor to high dose prescribing resulted in changes to prescribing practice, and reports from NHS pain clinics that fewer patients require tapering from fentanyl. In conclusion, higher rates of high dose opioid prescribing continue to be evident in more socially deprived areas further increasing health inequalities.

Long-term, high-dose opioid prescription for chronic non-cancer pain in primary care: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Opioid prescriptions for chronic pain have risen sharply over the last 25 years; harms associated with these drugs are related to dose and length of use.

AIM

The main aim of this study was to identify patients prescribed long-term, high-dose (LTHD) opioids in the community and to assess the prevalence of such use.

DESIGN & SETTING

An observational study of opioid prescribing in two demographically dissimilar GP practices in North Wales, UK.

METHOD

Details of opioid prescriptions were collected for 22 841 patients, of whom 1488 (6.5%) were being prescribed opioids on the census date. Exhaustive examination of the data identified all patients who were prescribed oral morphine equivalent doses of ≥120 mg/day for ≥1 year.

RESULTS

All these patients were being prescribed ≥120 mg/day, as a single drug, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, or buprenorphine, irrespective of opioid polypharmacy. Across both practices, 1.71/1000 patients were identified as LTHD users of opioid medication for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). Prevalence was similar in the two practices. Repetition of the process until January 2021 showed no change in the pattern.

CONCLUSION

This study offers confirmation that a significant group of patients are prescribed long-term opioid medication for chronic pain at doses that are unlikely to be effective in reducing pain, but are likely to have harmful consequences. The findings offer a simple, reliable, and practical method of data extraction to identify these patients individually from routinely collected prescribing data, which will help in monitoring and treating individuals and establishing the problem prevalence.

Differential Experience of Interdose Withdrawal During Long-Term Opioid Therapy and its Association With Patient and Treatment Characteristics: A Latent Class Analysis in Chronic Pain Population

Opioid withdrawal is characterized by a set of physical and psychological symptoms that depend on both opioid and patient specific characteristics. The present study aims to identify different latent classes of chronic pain patients according to the type of opioid withdrawal symptoms experienced, and to analyze the relationships between the classes and demographic, opioid therapy, psychological and substance use variables. This cross-sectional descriptive study included 391 chronic pain patients on long-term opioid therapy. A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) identified 3 classes (BIC = 7051.89, entropy = .87, LRTs P < .01). The mild withdrawal class showed low probabilities of presenting physical and psychological symptoms, the moderate withdrawal class was characterized by experiencing psychological symptoms, and the severe withdrawal class stood out for high probabilities of presenting both types of symptoms. The classes differed from each other, with higher rates of moderate-severe POUD, opioid misuse, anxiety, depression, and greater pain intensity and interference in more severe withdrawal classes (P < .05). The multinomial logistic regression showed that moderate-severe POUD and anxiety were the strongest variables related to moderate (OR_POUD = 3.34, OR_Anxiety = 2.58) and severe withdrawal classes (OR_POUD = 4.26, OR_Anxiety = 5.15). Considering that POUD and anxiety were strongly related to a more severe withdrawal syndrome, the inclusion of psychological interventions in pain management seems critical in this population. PERSPECTIVE: Although interdose opioid withdrawal is common in chronic pain patients, this study shows 3 different patterns in its experience (mild, moderate, and severe withdrawal). A more severe withdrawal may result in reduced effectiveness of opioids in relieving pain and increased negative consequences, such as higher risk of POUD. Findings that could help improve chronic pain management.

Adjunct Digital Interventions Improve Opioid-Based Pain Management: Impact of Virtual Reality and Mobile Applications on Patient-Centered Pharmacy Care

Digital therapeutics (DTx, mobile medical apps, software as a medical device) are rapidly emerging as clinically effective treatments for diverse chronic diseases. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently authorized a prescription virtual reality (VR) app for treatment of moderate to severe low back pain. The FDA has also approved an adjunct digital therapy in conjunction with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, further illustrating opportunities to integrate digital therapeutics with pharmacotherapies. There are ongoing needs to disseminate knowledge about advances in digital interventions among health care professionals, policymakers, and the public at large. This mini-review summarizes accumulating clinical evidence of digital interventions delivered via virtual reality and mobile apps to improve opioid-based analgesia. We identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Embase and PubMed databases which reported pain scores with a validated pain scale (e.g., visual analog scales, graphic rating scale, numeric rating scale) and use of a digital intervention in conjunction with opiates. Among identified RCTs, the majority of studies reported improved pain scores in the digital intervention group, as compared to “treatment as usual” group. Our work suggests that VR and mobile apps can be used as adjunct digital therapies for pain management. We discuss these findings in the context of how digital health technologies can transform patient-centered pharmacy care.

Opioid use prior to total knee replacement: comparative analysis of trends in England and Sweden

OBJECTIVES

To describe and compare trends in the frequency of opioid prescribing/dispensing in English and Swedish patients with osteoarthritis prior to total knee replacement (TKR).

METHODS

49,043 patients from an English national database (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and 5,955 patients from the Swedish Skåne Healthcare register undergoing TKR between 2015 and 2019 were included, alongside 1:1 age-, sex-, and practice (residential area) matched controls. Annual prevalence and prevalence rates ratio (PRR) of opioid prescribing/dispensing (any, by strength) in the 10 years prior to TKR (or matched index date for controls) were estimated using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

In England and Sweden, the prevalence of patients with osteoarthritis receiving any opioid prior to TKR increased towards the date of surgery from 24% to 44% in England and from 16% to 33% in Sweden. Prescribing in controls was stable, resulting in an increasing PRR (1.6-2.7) between 10 and 1 years prior to index date in both countries. No relevant cohort or period effect was observed in either country. Prevalence of opioid prescribing was higher in English cases and controls; weaker opioids were more commonly prescribed in England, stronger opioids in Sweden.

CONCLUSIONS

Temporal prevalence patterns of opioid prescribing between cases and controls are similar in England and Sweden. Opioids are still commonly used in TKR cases in both countries highlighting the lack of valid alternatives for OA pain management.

Determinants of long-term opioid prescribing in an urban population- a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Opioid prescribing has more than doubled in the UK between 1998 and 2016. Potential adverse health implications include dependency, falls and increased health expenditure.

AIM

To describe the predictors of long-term opioid prescribing (LTOP), (≥3 opioid prescriptions in a 90-day period).

DESIGN AND SETTING

A retrospective cross-sectional study in 41 General Practices in South London.

METHOD

Multi-level multivariable logistic regression to investigate the determinants of LTOP.

RESULTS

2,679 (0.8%) out of 320,639 registered patients ≥18 years were identified as having LTOP. Patients Were most likely to have LTOP, if: they had ≥5 long term conditions (LTCs) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 36.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 30.4-43.8) or 2-4 LTCs (AOR 13.8, CI 11.9-16.1), in comparison to no LTCs, ≥75 years compared to 18-24 years (AOR 12.31, CI 7.1-21.5), smokers compared to non-smokers (AOR 2.2, CI 2.0-2.5), females compared to males (AOR 1.9, CI 1.7-2.0) and in the most deprived deprivation quintile (AOR 1.6, CI 1.4-1.8) compared to the least deprived. In a separate model examining individual long-term conditions (LTCs), the strongest associations for LTOP were noted for sickle cell disease (SCD) (AOR 18.4, CI 12.8-26.4), osteoarthritis (AOR 3.0, CI 2.8-3.3), rheumatoid arthritis (AOR 2.8, CI 2.2-3.4), depression (AOR 2.6, CI 2.3-2.8) and multiple sclerosis (OR 2.5, CI 1.4-4.4).

CONCLUSION

LTOP was significantly higher in those aged ≥75 years, with multi-morbidity or specific LTCs: sickle cell disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and multiple sclerosis. These characteristics may enable the design of targeted interventions to reduce LTOP.

Long-term benzodiazepines and z-drug prescribing in Australian general practice between 2011 and 2018: A national study

Despite reducing benzodiazepine prescribing, benzodiazepine-involving deaths have substantially increased in Australia. This study aimed to explore patterns in long-term prescribing of medications (benzodiazepine and z-drugs [BZD]) used for sleep-issues/insomnia in Australia to better understand these changes. Open cohort study using de-identified electronic health records of 1 414 593 adult patients regularly attending 404 Australian general practices from 2011 to 2018 (MedicineInsight). We used logistic regression adjusted for patient and practice characteristics to; (1) estimate long-term BZD prescribing prevalence (≥3 prescriptions in 6 months) and the associated sociodemographic factors, and (2) Poisson regression to compute annual changes in prescribing rates. Long-term BZD prescribing changed from 4.4% in 2011 to 5.8% in 2015, remaining relatively stable until 2018 (annual increase +2.5% [95% CI +2.0%;+3.0%]). Long-term BZD prescribing in any year was up to six times more likely in elderly rather than in younger patients and 30%-43% more prevalent in females, or patients living in or attending a practice located in more disadvantaged areas. The increase was more pronounced among males, adults aged 35-49 years, and individuals living in advantaged areas. The median duration among incident cases decreased from 1183 to 322 days between 2011 and 2017, and was up to 197 days longer among elderly females than males. Despite a slight increase and recent stability in long-term BZD prescribing, the higher rates and durations among elderly patients, women, or those living in more disadvantaged areas are concerning and highlights the need for interventions that reduce the potential harms of long-term BZD use in vulnerable groups.

Anxiety enhances pain in a model of osteoarthritis and is associated with altered endogenous opioid function and reduced opioid analgesia

Introduction

Negative affect, including anxiety and depression, is prevalent in chronic pain states such as osteoarthritis (OA) and associated with greater use of opioid analgesics, potentially contributing to present and future opioid crises.

Objectives

We tested the hypothesis that the interaction between anxiety, chronic pain, and opioid use results from altered endogenous opioid function.

Methods

A genetic model of negative affect, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat, was combined with intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA; 1 mg) to mimic clinical presentation. Effects of systemic morphine (0.5-3.5 mg·kg^-1) on pain behaviour and spinal nociceptive neuronal activity were compared in WKY and normo-anxiety Wistar rats 3 weeks after MIA injection. Endogenous opioid function was probed by the blockade of opioid receptors (0.1-1 mg·kg^-1 systemic naloxone), quantification of plasma β-endorphin, and expression and phosphorylation of spinal mu-opioid receptor (MOR).

Results

Monosodium iodoacetate-treated WKY rats had enhanced OA-like pain, blunted morphine-induced analgesia, and greater mechanical hypersensitivity following systemic naloxone, compared with Wistar rats, and elevated plasma β-endorphin levels compared with saline-treated WKY controls. Increased MOR phosphorylation at the master site (serine residue 375) in the spinal cord dorsal horn of WKY rats with OA-like pain (P = 0.0312) indicated greater MOR desensitization.

Conclusions

Reduced clinical analgesic efficacy of morphine was recapitulated in a model of high anxiety and OA-like pain, in which endogenous opioid tone was altered, and MOR function attenuated, in the absence of previous exogenous opioid ligand exposure. These findings shed new light on the mechanisms underlying the increased opioid analgesic use in high anxiety patients with chronic pain.

Opioids and Gabapentinoids Utilisation and Their Related-Mortality Trends in the United Kingdom Primary Care Setting, 2010-2019: A Cross-National, Population-Based Comparison Study

Background: There is growing concern over the increasing utilisation trends of opioids and gabapentinoids across but there is lack of data assessing and comparing the utilisation trends across the four United Kingdom countries. We assessed/compared opioids and gabapentinoids utilisation trends across the four United Kingdom countries then evaluated the correlation between their utilisation with related mortality.

Methods: This repeated cross-national study used Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) datasets (2010–2019). Opioids and gabapentinoids utilisation were measured using number of items dispensed/1,000 inhabitants and defined daily doses (DDDs)/1,000 inhabitant/day. Number of Opioids and gabapentinoids-related mortality were extracted from the United Kingdom Office for National Statistics (2010–2018). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics including linear trend analysis; correlation between the Opioids and gabapentinoids utilisation and their related mortality using Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results: The results illustrated an overall significant increasing trend in the utilisation of opioids (12.5–14%) and gabapentinoids (205–207%) with substantial variations among the four United Kingdom countries. For opioids, Scotland had the highest level of number of items dispensed/1,000 inhabitant (156.6% higher compared to the lowest level in England), whereas in terms of DDD/1,000 inhabitant/day, NI had the highest level. Utilisation trends increased significantly across the four countries ranging from 7.7% in Scotland to 20.5% in NI (p < 0.001). Similarly, for gabapentinoids, there were significant increasing trends ranging from 126.5 to 114.9% in NI to 285.8–299.6% in Wales (p < 0.001) for number of items/1,000 inhabitants and DDD/1,000 inhabitant/day, respectively. Although the utilisation trends levelled off after 2016, this was not translated into comparable reduction in opioids and gabapentinoids-related mortality as the latter continued to increase with the highest level in Scotland (3.5 times more deaths in 2018 compared to England- 280.1 vs. 79.3 deaths/million inhabitants). There were significant moderate-strong positive correlations between opioids and gabapentinoids utilisation trends and their related mortality.

Conclusion: The utilisation trends of opioids and gabapentinoids have increased significantly with substantial variations among the four United Kingdom countries. This coincided with significant increase in their related mortality. Our findings support the call for immediate actions including radical changes in official United Kingdom policies on drug use and effective strategies to promote best clinical practice in opioids and gabapentinoids prescribing.

Comparative differences in musculoskeletal pain consultation and analgesic prescription for people with dementia: a UK-wide matched cohort study

ABSTRACT

Painful musculoskeletal conditions are common in older adults; however, pain identification, assessment, and management are reported to be suboptimal for people with dementia. Adequate pain management is an integral aspect of care for people with dementia to prevent or delay negative outcomes, such as behavioural and psychological changes, emergency department attendance, and premature nursing home admission. This study aims to examine musculoskeletal consultations and analgesic prescriptions for people with dementia compared with those for people without dementia. A dementia cohort (n = 36,582) and matched cohort were identified in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (a UK-wide primary care database). Period prevalence for musculoskeletal consultations and analgesic prescriptions was described, and logistic regression applied to estimate associations between dementia and musculoskeletal consultation or analgesic prescription from the time of dementia diagnosis to 5 years after diagnosis. People with dementia had a consistently (over time) lower prevalence and odds of musculoskeletal consultation and analgesic prescription compared with people without dementia. The evidence suggests that pain management may be suboptimal for people with dementia. These results highlight the need to increase awareness of pain and use better methods of pain assessment, evaluation of treatment response, and acceptable and effective management for people with dementia, in primary care.

Opioid prescription at postoperative discharge: a retrospective observational cohort study

Opioid misuse is now considered a major public health epidemic in North America, with substantial social and financial consequences. As well as socio-economic and commercial drivers, modifiable risk-factors that have resulted in this crisis have been identified. The purpose of this study was to identify whether, within England, modifiable drivers for persistent postoperative opioid use were present. This was a retrospective cohort study of practice at 14 National Health Service hospitals across England. Data were collected retrospectively and validated for adult patients undergoing elective intermediate and major or complex major general surgical procedures between 1 and 31 March 2019. Of the 509 patients enrolled from 14 centres, 499 were included in the data analysis. In total, 31.5% (157/499) patients were in the intermediate surgery cohort and 68.5% (342/499) were in the major or complex major surgery cohort, with 21.0% (33/157) and 21.6% (74/342) discharged with opioid medicines to be taken at regular intervals, respectively. There were similar median oral morphine equivalent doses prescribed at discharge. Of patients prescribed regular opioid medicines, 76.6% (82/107) had a specified duration at discharge. However, 72.9% (78/107) had no written deprescribing advice on discharge. Similarly, of patients prescribed 'when required' opioids, 59.6% (93/156) had a specified duration of their prescription and 33.3% (52/156) were given written deprescribing advice. This study has identified a pattern of poor prescribing practices, a lack of guidance and formal training at individual institutions and highlights opportunities for improvement in opioid-prescribing practices within England.

The potential for diversion of prescribed opioids among orthopaedic patients: Results of an anonymous patient survey

INTRODUCTION

Diversion of prescription opioid medication is a contributor to the opioid epidemic. Safe handling practices can reduce the risk of diversion. We aimed to understand: 1) if orthopaedic patients received instructions on how to safely handle opioids, 2) their typical storage/disposal practices, and 3) their willingness to participate in an opioid disposal program (ODP).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of adult orthopaedic patients who completed an anonymous survey on current or past prescription opioid use, instruction on handling, storage and disposal practices, presence of children in the household, and willingness to participate in an ODP. Frequencies and percentages of responses were computed, both overall and stratified by possession of unused opioids.

RESULTS

569 respondents who reported either current or past prescription opioid use were analyzed. 44% reported receiving storage instructions and 56% reported receiving disposal instructions from a health care provider. Many respondents indicated unsafe handling practices: possessing unused opioids (34%), using unsafe storage methods (90%), and using unsafe disposal methods (34%). Respondents with unused opioids were less likely to report receiving handling instructions or using safe handling methods, and 47% of this group reported having minors or young adults in the household. Respondents who received storage and disposal instructions were more likely to report safe storage and disposal methods. Seventy-four percent of respondents reported that they would participate in an ODP.

CONCLUSION

While many orthopaedic patients report inadequate education on safe opioid handling and using unsafe handling practices, findings suggest targeted education is associated with better behaviours. However, patients are willing to safely dispose of unused medication if provided a convenient option. These findings suggest a need to address patient knowledge and behavior regarding opioid handling to reduce the risk of opioid diversion.

Trends in strong opioid prescribing in Ireland: A repeated cross-sectional analysis of a national pharmacy claims database between 2010 and 2019

PURPOSE

Significant increases in opioid utilisation have been reported in many countries in recent decades. This study investigated strong opioid prescribing in Irish General Medical Services (GMS) patients over a 10-year period.

METHODS

A retrospective repeated cross-sectional analysis of a national pharmacy claims database between January 2010 and December 2019 was conducted. Strong opioid prescribing in GMS patients was evaluated, including by route of administration, age (16-64 years and ≥65 years) and gender. Measures of consumption included prescribing prevalence and defined daily dose (DDD)/1000 population/day. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and percentage and absolute changes were determined.

RESULTS

Strong opioid prescribing prevalence increased from 14.43% in 2010 to 16.28% in 2019, with the greatest increase in the ≥65 years age group. Tramadol was the most frequently prescribed product, constituting 63.9% of total strong opioid prescribing. The prescribing prevalence of oxycodone increased from 0.95% in 2010 to 2.68% in 2019 (PR 2.81, 95% CI 2.76, 2.87), with steep increases in oxycodone-naloxone since it became available (PR 5.23, 95% CI 4.98, 5.50). The prescribing prevalence of tapentadol increased from 0.18% to 1.58% between 2012 (first complete year available for reimbursement) and 2019 (PR 8.79, 95% CI 8.43, 9.16). Strong opioid prescribing was highest in females aged ≥65 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found an overall increase in strong opioid prescribing in Ireland between 2010 and 2019, particularly in older adults. Tramadol was the most frequently prescribed product, with oxycodone and tapentadol prescribing increasing markedly over the study period.

From Pharmacology to Physiology: Endocrine Functions of μ-Opioid Receptor Networks

The steady rise in opioid users and abusers has uncovered multiple detrimental health consequences of perturbed opioid receptor signaling, thereby creating the need to better understand the biology of these systems. Among endogenous opioid networks, μ-receptors have received special attention due to their unprecedented biological complexity and broad implications in homeostatic functions. Here, we review the origin, molecular biology, and physiology of endogenous opioids with a special focus on μ-opioid receptor networks within the endocrine system. Moreover, we summarize the current evidence supporting an involvement of the latter in regulating distinct endocrine functions. Finally, we combine these insights to present an integrated perspective on μ-opioid receptor biology and provide an outlook on future studies and unresolved questions in this field.

Clinical and psychological factors associated with interdose opioid withdrawal in chronic pain population

BACKGROUND

The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Prescription Opioid-Use Disorder (POUD) have undergone some significant changes. One of the most controversial changes has been the elimination of the withdrawal symptoms criterion when opioid use is under appropriate medical supervision. For this reason, the goal of this study was to analyze factors associated with opioid withdrawal in patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP).

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 404 patients who use prescription opioids for long-term treatment (≥90 days) of CNCP. Measures included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, POUD, withdrawal symptoms, craving, anxiety-depressive symptoms, and pain intensity and interference.

RESULTS

Forty-seven percent (n = 193) of the sample reported moderate-severe withdrawal symptoms, which were associated with lower age, higher daily morphine dose and duration of treatment with opioids, moderate-severe POUD, use of psychotropic drugs, higher anxiety-depressive symptoms, and greater pain intensity and interference (p < .05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that moderate-severe POUD (OR = 2.82), anxiety (OR = 2.21), depression (OR = 1.81), higher pain interference (OR = 1.05), and longer duration of treatment with opioids were the strongest factors associated with moderate-severe withdrawal symptoms (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Psychological factors seem to play a key role in the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Since greater intensity of these symptoms increases the risk of developing POUD, knowing the factors associated with withdrawal may be useful in developing preventive psychological interventions.

Trends in long-term opioid prescriptions for musculoskeletal conditions in Australian general practice: a national longitudinal study using MedicineInsight, 2012-2018

OBJECTIVE

Describe trends and patterns in long-term opioid prescriptions among adults with musculoskeletal conditions (MSK).

DESIGN

Interrupted time-series analysis based on an open cohort study.

SETTING

A representative sample of 402 Australian general practices contributing data to the MedicineInsight database.

PARTICIPANTS

811 174 patients aged 18+ years with an MSK diagnosis and three or more consultations in any two consecutive years between 2012 and 2018. Males represented 44.5% of the sample, 28.4% were 65+ years and 1.9% were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Annual prevalence and cumulative incidence (%) of long-term opioid prescribing (3+ prescriptions in 90 days) among patients with an MSK. Average duration of these episodes in each year between 2012 and 2018.

RESULTS

The prevalence of long-term opioid prescribing increased from 5.5% (95% CI 5.2 to 5.8) in 2012 to 9.1% (95% CI 8.8 to 9.7) in 2018 (annual change OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.09), but a slightly lower incidence was observed in 2018 (3.0% vs 3.6%-3.8% in other years; annual change OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 0.99). The incidence was between 37% and 52% higher among practices located in rural Australia or lower socioeconomic areas. Individual risk factors included increasing age (3.4 times higher among those aged 80+ years than the 18-34 years group in 2012, increasing to 4.8 times higher in 2018), identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (1.7-1.9 higher incidence than their peers), or living in disadvantaged areas (36%-57% more likely than among those living in wealthiest areas). Long-term opioid prescriptions lasted in average 287-301 days between 2012 and 2016, reducing to 229 days in 2017 and 140 days in 2018. A longer duration was observed in practices from more disadvantaged areas and females in all years, except in 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

The continued rise in the prevalence of long-term opioid prescribing is of concern, despite a recent reduction in the incidence and duration of opioid management.

Driving difficulties in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: Results from the Scotland Registry for Ankylosing Spondylitis

OBJECTIVES

To describe the driving difficulties experienced by individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and characterise associated clinical and sociodemographic features, and impact on work.

METHOD

The Scotland Registry for Ankylosing Spondylitis (SIRAS) is a cohort study of patients with a clinical diagnosis of axSpA. Baseline information was collected on clinical and patient-reported measures, and work participation measures (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem (WPAI: SHP)). Patient-rated difficulties with nine driving tasks were used in a factor analysis, and relationships between driving difficulty and work participation investigated.

RESULTS

718 patients provided data for analysis, of which 642 (89%) had some difficulty with at least one driving task and 72 (10%) had some difficulty with all nine tasks. Three domains of driving difficulty were identified: dynamic driving scenarios, crossing traffic, and the physical act of driving. Chronic widespread pain, knee and back pain, fatigue, high disease activity and anxiety/depression were significantly associated with reporting driving difficulties across all three domains, particularly the physical act of driving. After adjusting for socio-demographic, disease activity, physical and mental health, driving difficulties in each domain were associated with a 2-3 times increased likelihood of restricted work productivity and with an increased risk of sickness absence in the past seven days.

CONCLUSION

Driving difficulties are common in individuals with axSpA and impact on work, even after adjusting for clinical status. Improving understanding and awareness of driving disability will help direct advice and resources to enable individuals to remain independent and economically active.

Chronic Opioid Therapy: A Scoping Literature Review on Evolving Clinical and Scientific Definitions

The management of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) with chronic opioid therapy (COT) is controversial. There is a lack of consensus on how COT is defined resulting in unclear clinical guidance. This scoping review identifies and evaluates evolving COT definitions throughout the published clinical and scientific literature. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. A total of 227 studies were identified from 8,866 studies published between January 2000 and July 2019. COT definitions were classified by pain population of application and specific dosage/duration definition parameters, with results reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Approximately half of studies defined COT as "days' supply duration >90 days" and 9.3% defined as ">120 days' supply," with other days' supply cut-off points (>30, >60, or >70) each appearing in <5% of total studies. COT was defined by number of prescriptions in 63 studies, with 16.3% and 11.0% using number of initiations or refills, respectively. Few studies explicitly distinguished acute treatment and COT. Episode duration/dosage criteria was used in 90 studies, with 7.5% by Morphine Milligram Equivalents + days' supply and 32.2% by other "episode" combination definitions. COT definitions were applied in musculoskeletal CNCP (60.8%) most often, and typically in adults aged 18 to 64 (69.6%). The usage of ">90 days' supply" COT definitions increased from 3.2 publications/year before 2016 to 20.7 publications/year after 2016. An increasing proportion of studies define COT as ">90 days' supply." The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria, suggesting that contemporary COT definitions are increasingly conservative. PERSPECTIVE: This study summarized the most common, current definition criteria for chronic opioid therapy (COT) and recommends adoption of consistent definition criteria to be utilized in practice and research. The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria overall, suggesting that COT definition criteria are increasingly stringent.

Variations in Long-term Opioid Therapy Definitions: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies Using Routinely Collected Data (2000-2019)

Routinely collected data have been increasingly used to assess long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) patterns, with very little guidance on how to measure LTOT from these data sources. We conducted a systematic review of studies published between January 2000 and July 2019 to catalogue LTOT definitions, the rationale for definitions and LTOT rates in observational research using routinely collected data in nonsurgical settings. We screened 4056 abstracts, 210 full-text manuscripts and included 128 studies, mostly from the United States (81%) and published between 2015 and 2019 (69%). We identified 78 definitions of LTOT, commonly operationalised as 90 days of use within a year (23%). Studies often used multiple criteria to derive definitions (60%), mostly based on measures of duration, such as supply days/days of use (66%), episode length (21%) or prescription fills within specified time periods (12%). Definitions were based on previous publications (63%), clinical judgment (16%) or empirical data (3%); 10% of studies applied more than one definition. LTOT definition was not provided with enough details for replication in 14 studies and 38 studies did not specify the opioids evaluated. Rates of LTOT within study populations ranged from 0.2% to 57% according to study design and definition used. We observed a substantial rise in the last 5 years in studies evaluating LTOT with large variability in the definitions used and poor reporting of the rationale and implementation of definitions. This variation impacts on research reproducibility, comparability of findings and the development of strategies aiming to curb therapy that is not guideline-recommended.

Predictors of long-term use of prescription opioids in the community-dwelling population of adults without a cancer diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Long-term opioid use is a known risk factor for opioid-related harms. We aimed to identify risk factors for and predictors of long-term use of prescription opioids in the community-dwelling population of adults without a diagnosis of cancer, to inform practice change at the point of care.

METHODS

Using Quebec administrative claims databases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study in a random sample of adult members (≥ 18 yr) of the public drug plan who did not have a cancer diagnosis and who initiated a prescription opioid in the outpatient setting between Jan. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2016. The outcome of interest was long-term opioid use (≥ 90 consecutive days or ≥ 120 cumulative days over 12 mo). Potential predictors included sociodemographic factors, medical history, characteristics of the initial opioid prescription and prescriber's specialty. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between each characteristic and long-term use. We used the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the predictive performance of full and parsimonious models.

RESULTS

Of 124 664 eligible patients who initiated opioid therapy, 4172 (3.3%) progressed to long-term use of prescription opioids. The most important associated factors in the adjusted analysis were long-term prescription of acetaminophen-codeine (odds ratio [OR] 6.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.99 to 7.96), prescription of a long-acting opioid at initiation (OR 6.02, 95% CI 5.31 to 6.84), initial supply of 30 days or more (OR 4.22, 95% CI 3.81 to 4.69), chronic pain (OR 2.41, 95% CI 2.16 to 2.69) and initial dose of at least 90 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.47). Our predictive model, including only the initial days' supply and chronic pain diagnosis, had area under the curve of 0.7618.

INTERPRETATION

This study identified factors associated with long-term prescription opioid use. Limiting the initial supply to no more than 7 days and limiting doses to 90 MME/day or less are actions that could be undertaken at the point of care.

Predictors of Opioid Prescription Among a Sample of Patients with Acute Musculoskeletal Pain at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Background

Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most complex and debilitating types of pain. Although different pharmacologic treatments are available, very few studies have explored the predictors for opioid analgesics prescription to manage this type of pain.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the predictors for opioid prescription in patients with acute musculoskeletal pain in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective chart review of adult patients (≥18 yrs.) with an acute nociceptive musculoskeletal pain at a university-affiliated medical center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cancer patients and those with chronic neuropathic pain were excluded. Patients’ age, gender, number of comorbidities, duration of pain management, number of clinic visits for pain, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores at rest and with normal activities were collected. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between the type of musculoskeletal pain and the prescription of opioid analgesics controlling for NPRS score on activity, age, gender, number of comorbidities, duration of pain treatment, and number of clinic visits for pain.

Results

The mean age of the 227 patients, who met the inclusion criteria, was 39 years and 68% of them were male. Sixty-three percent of the patients were prescribed opioid analgesics, and 61% of them had shoulder pain, 29% had back pain, and 10% had lower extremity pain (eg, hip, thigh, lower leg, knee, ankle, and foot pain). Tramadol was the most commonly prescribed opioid analgesic (82%), followed by codeine (13%). Ninety-seven percent of patients who were prescribed non-opioid analgesics had shoulder pain. Patients with shoulder pain had lower odds of receiving opioid analgesics (OR=0.019, P<0.0001, 95% CI=0.004–0.081) in comparison to their counterparts who had lower extremity or back pains. Moreover, the higher the pain score on activity was, the higher odds of receiving opioid analgesics (OR=1.317, P<0.0001, 95% CI=1.029–1.685).

Conclusion

Future studies should explore the impact of different opioid prescribing policies to improve the quality of patient care and reduce the unnecessary prescribing of opioids for patients with non-cancer musculoskeletal pain.

Examining opioid prescribing trends for non-cancer pain using an estimated oral morphine equivalence measure: a retrospective cohort study between 2005 and 2015

Background

Over the past 20 years prescription of opioid medicines has markedly increased in the UK, despite a lack of supporting evidence for use in commonly occurring, painful conditions. Prescribing is often monitored by counting numbers of prescriptions dispensed, but this may not provide an accurate picture of clinical practice.

Aim

To use an estimated oral morphine equivalent (OMEQ_e) dose to describe trends in opioid prescribing in non-cancer pain, and explore if opioid burden differed by deprivation status.

Design & setting

A retrospective cohort study using cross-sectional and longitudinal trend analyses of opioid prescribing data from Welsh Primary Care General Practices (PCGP) took place. Data were used from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank.

Method

An OMEQ_e measure was developed and used to describe trends in opioid burden over the study period. OMEQ_e burden was stratified by eight drug groups, which was based on usage and deprivation.

Results

An estimated 643 436 843 milligrams (mg) OMEQ_e was issued during the study. Annual number of prescriptions increased 44% between 2005 and 2015, while total daily OMEQ_e per 1000 population increased by 95%. The most deprived areas of Wales had 100 711 696 mg more OMEQ_e prescribed than the least deprived over the study period.

Conclusion

Over the study period, OMEQ_e burden nearly doubled, with disproportionate OMEQ_e prescribed in the most deprived communities. Using OMEQ_e provides an alternative measure of prescribing and allows easier comparison of the contribution different drugs make to the overall opioid burden.

Co-prescription of gabapentinoids and opioids among adults with and without osteoarthritis in the United Kingdom between 1995 and 2017

Objectives

To produce national and regional estimates and trends for gabapentinoid–opioid co-prescribing rates in patients with OA, both in absolute terms and relative to matched controls without OA.

Methods

Using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink database we first constructed age–sex–practice–date 1:1 matched cohorts of patients aged ≥40 years with and without a new diagnosis of OA between 1995–2017 and estimated the relative incidence of a first gabapentinoid prescription. Incident gabapentinoid users in both cohorts were followed to estimate and compare the event rate of gabapentinoid–opioid co-prescription (prescription from both classes within the same 28-day window).

Results

The incidence of first gabapentinoid prescription was 3-fold higher in patients with OA than in matched controls [n = 215 357; incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.93; 95% CI: 2.87, 3.00]. Among incident gabapentinoid users with OA (n = 27 374, median follow-up 3.9 years) the event rate of gabapentinoid–opioid co-prescription was 4.03 (4.02–4.05) per person-year. The rate was higher in OA patients classed as long-term gabapentinoid users (6.24; 6.22–6.26). These rates were significantly higher than in incident gabapentinoid users without OA [adjusted-IRR: 1.29 (1.28–1.30)]. This elevated risk was observed across age, sex, geographic regions, and calendar years, when restricted to strong opioids and to long-term gabapentinoid users, and when co-prescription was defined as within 14 days and same-day prescribing.

Conclusions

Patients with OA not only have a higher risk of being prescribed a gabapentinoid but, once prescribed a gabapentinoid, are also at greater risk of opioid co-prescription. Strict restriction of gabapentinoid–opioid co-prescription, and improved access to, and uptake of, effective non-pharmacological and surgical alternatives for OA are required.

Drug utilization study on immediate release Fentanyl in Spain. Prevalence, incidence, and indication

PURPOSE

We aimed to characterize the trends of immediate release fentanyl (IRF) use in Spain between 2012 and 2017 and indication for its use. IRF drugs are rapid-acting opioids approved to treat breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) in patients already receiving maintenance opioid therapy for chronic cancer pain. A substantial increase in consumption of IRF has been observed with emerging cases of abuse and dependence, most of them in noncancer patients.

METHODS

An ecological descriptive consumption study with aggregated data from drug dispensed by community pharmacies and reimbursed by the National Health System in which Defined Daily Doses per 10 000 inhabitants (DID) were calculated and a retrospective cohort study using data from the Spanish Database for Pharmacoepidemiological Research in Primary Care in which participants entered the cohort study after 1 year with the Primary Care Practitioners were performed. Annual prevalence and incidence rate of IRF use were estimated by sex and calendar year. Potential indication was also assessed.

RESULTS

IRF use in Spain increased from 2.1 DID in 2012 to 3.8 DID in 2017. The incidence rate and prevalence increased in 53% and 74%, respectively. Patients without previous cancer or BCTP diagnosis represented 27% of incident users, predominantly women. Half of patients with noncancer-related diagnosis had a musculoskeletal disorder linked to the first IRF prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

National consumption and new IRF users in Spain increased over the study period and one quarter of patients did not have a BTCP or cancer diagnosis registered in their clinical record.

What proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain are prescribed an opioid medicine? Systematic review and meta-regression of observational studies

Guidelines now discourage opioid analgesics for chronic noncancer pain because the benefits frequently do not outweigh the harms. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain who are prescribed an opioid, the types prescribed and factors associated with prescribing. Database searches were conducted from inception to 29 October 2018 without language restrictions. We included observational studies of adults with chronic noncancer pain measuring opioid prescribing. Opioids were categorized as weak (e.g. codeine) or strong (e.g. oxycodone). Study quality was assessed using a risk of bias tool designed for observational studies measuring prevalence. Individual study results were pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-regression investigated study-level factors associated with prescribing (e.g. sampling year, geographic region as per World Health Organization). The overall evidence quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. Of the 42 studies (5,059,098 participants) identified, the majority (n = 28) were from the United States of America. Eleven studies were at low risk of bias. The pooled estimate of the proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain prescribed opioids was 30.7% (95% CI 28.7% to 32.7%, n = 42 studies, moderate-quality evidence). Strong opioids were more frequently prescribed than weak (18.4% (95% CI 16.0-21.0%, n = 15 studies, low-quality evidence), versus 8.5% (95% CI 7.2-9.9%, n = 15 studies, low-quality evidence)). Meta-regression determined that opioid prescribing was associated with year of sampling (more prescribing in recent years) (P = 0.014) and not geographic region (P = 0.056). Opioid prescribing for patients with chronic noncancer pain is common and has increased over time.

Inappropriate opioid dispensing in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate inappropriate opioid dispensing in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) defined as (1) dispensing of opioids within the first year of diagnosis or (2) long-term opioid use.

DESIGN

Data from Skåne Healthcare Register was linked with the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Incidence proportion of dispensed opioids within first year of incident knee or hip OA diagnosis was determined in knee (n = 399,670) and hip (413,216) OA cohorts without a history of OA. The 1-year period prevalence of long-term opioid dispensing was determined in a prevalence cohort (n = 48,574 with knee and/or hip OA and n = 457,587 without OA). The proportion of OA patients with excess opioid dispensing attributable to OA was estimated using inverse probability weighted regression adjustment.

RESULTS

In the incident cohorts, 5866 and 2359 developed knee and hip OA, respectively. Within the first year after OA diagnosis 14.7% patients with knee OA and 20.7% with hip OA had an opioid dispensed. The estimated inappropriate dispensing attributable to OA was 7.4% (95% CI 6.5-8.4) for knee OA and 12.8% (95% CI 11.1-14.4) for hip OA. Among persons with prevalent knee, hip or knee and hip OA inappropriate, long-term opioid use attributable to OA was 1.3%, 2.0% and 2.4% of, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half the incident opioid dispensations to patients within their first year after knee or hip OA diagnosis are inappropriate according to current treatment guidelines. Furthermore, 2% of patients with prevalent knee or hip OA have inappropriate long-term dispensing of opioids.

Acceptability of a primary care-based opioid and pain review service: a mixed-methods evaluation in England

BACKGROUND

Primary care opioid prescribing to treat chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) has progressively increased despite a lack of evidence for long-term safety and effectiveness. Developing primary care interventions to reduce opioid dependence in patients with CNCP is a public health priority.

AIM

To report the acceptability of the South Gloucestershire pain and opioid review service for patients with CNCP, which aimed to help patients understand their relationship with prescribed opioids and support non-drug-based pain management strategies.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A mixed-methods evaluation was performed on the service, which was based in two GP practices in South Gloucestershire, England, and delivered by project workers.

METHOD

Descriptive data were collected on delivered-within-service and community-based interventions. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews (n = 18 patients, n = 7 service providers) explored experiences of the service.

RESULTS

The enrolment process, person-centred primary care-based delivery, and service content focused on psychological issues underlying CNCP were found to be acceptable to patients and service providers. Patients welcomed having time to discuss their pain, its management, and related psychological issues. Maintaining a long-term approach was desired as CNCP is a complex issue that takes time to address. GPs recommended that funding was needed to ensure they have dedicated time to support a similar service and to ensure that project workers received adequate clinical supervision.

CONCLUSION

This service model was acceptable and may be a useful means to manage patients with CNCP who develop opioid dependence after long-term use of opioids. A randomised controlled trial is needed to formally test the effectiveness of the service.

Evaluation of a primary care-based opioid and pain review service: a mixed-methods evaluation in two GP practices in England

Background

Opioid prescribing to treat chronic non-cancer pain has rapidly increased, despite a lack of evidence for long-term safety and effectiveness. A pain review service was developed to work with patients taking opioids long-term to explore opioid use, encourage non-drug-based alternatives, and, where appropriate, support dose reduction.

Aim

To evaluate the service and its potential impact on opioid use, health and wellbeing outcomes, and quality of life (QoL).

Design and setting

Mixed-methods evaluation of a one-to-one service based in two GP practices in South Gloucestershire, England, which took place from September 2016 to December 2017.

Method

Quantitative data were collected on baseline demographics; data on opioid use, misuse, and dose, health, wellbeing, QoL, and pain and interference with life measures were collected at baseline and follow-up. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews (n = 18 service users, n = 7 service providers) explored experiences of the service including perceived impacts and benefits.

Results

Of 59 patients who were invited, 34 (57.6%) enrolled in the service. The median prescribed opioid dose reduced from 90 mg (average daily morphine equivalent; interquartile range [IQR] 60 to 240) at baseline to 72 mg (IQR 30 to 160) at follow-up (P<0.001); three service users stopped using opioids altogether. On average, service users showed improvement on most health, wellbeing, and QoL outcomes. Perceived benefits were related to wellbeing, for example, improved confidence and self-esteem, use of pain management strategies, changes in medication use, and reductions in dose.

Conclusion

The service was well received, and health and wellbeing outcomes suggest a potential benefit. Following further service development, a randomised controlled trial to test this type of care pathway is warranted.

The Influence of Allowable Refill Gaps on Detecting Long-Term Opioid Therapy: An Analysis of Population-Based Administrative Dispensing Data Among Patients with Knee Arthritis Awaiting Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

It is challenging to detect long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) using administrative data, as refill gaps can disrupt opioid utilization episodes. Previous studies have used various methods to define LTOT and allowable refill gaps with little supporting evidence.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the effect of allowable refill gaps on detecting LTOT among a cohort of patients with arthritis awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using 3 different methods.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of multicenter population-based data between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016, identified patients prescribed opioids before TKA in Alberta, Canada. We described 3 methods to detect LTOT based on a (1) fixed number of days between prescriptions; (2) fraction of the preceding prescription length; and (3) combination method that selected whichever refill gap was greatest. We then compared the number of patients classified as long-term opioid users by varying the number of days between prescriptions from 1-90 days (fixed method) or 0.04-3.2 times the duration (fraction method) for each method and refill gap.

RESULTS

Of the 14,252 patients included in our cohort, 4,393 patients (31%) had an opioid prescription within 180 days before TKA. Detection of LTOT varied from 4.4% to 14.6% (fixed method), 4.2% to 13.2% (fraction method), and 4.5% to 15.1% (mixed method) as refill gaps varied from minimum to maximum. As refills gaps increased, the dose and duration of opioids in the utilization episode decreased for all 3 methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The allowable refill gap between opioid prescriptions can influence the estimated rate of LTOT when using administrative pharmaceutical dispensing data. Definitional parameters should be carefully considered when using administrative data to define consistent opioid use.

DISCLOSURES

This work was supported by the Department of Surgery's Clinical Research Grant at the University of Alberta (RES0039945). The authors have no potential conflicts of interest.

Testing a support programme for opioid reduction for people with chronic non-malignant pain: the I-WOTCH randomised controlled trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Chronic non-malignant pain has a major impact on the well-being, mood and productivity of those affected. Opioids are increasingly prescribed to manage this type of pain, but with a risk of other disabling symptoms, when their effectiveness has been questioned. This trial is designed to implement and evaluate a patient-centred intervention targeting withdrawal of strong opioids in people with chronic pain.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial will assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a group-based multicomponent intervention combined with individualised clinical facilitator led support for the management of chronic non-malignant pain against the control intervention (self-help booklet and relaxation compact disc). An embedded process evaluation will examine fidelity of delivery and investigate experiences of the intervention. The two primary outcomes are activities of daily living (measured by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference Short Form (8A)) and opioid use. The secondary outcomes are pain severity, quality of life, sleep quality, self-efficacy, adverse events and National Health Service (NHS) healthcare resource use. Participants are followed up at 4, 8 and 12 months, with a primary endpoint of 12 months. Between-group differences will indicate effectiveness; we are looking for a difference of 3.5 points on our pain interference outcome (scale 40 to 77). We will undertake an NHS perspective cost-effectiveness analysis using quality adjusted life years.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Full approval was given by Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee on 13 September, 2016 (16/YH/0325). Appropriate local approvals were sought for each area in which recruitment was undertaken. The current protocol version is 1.6 date 19 December 2018. Publication of results in peer- reviewed journals will inform the scientific and clinical community. We will disseminate results to patient participants and study facilitators in a study newsletter as well as a lay summary of results on the study website.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN49470934; Pre-results.

Pain assessment and pain treatment for community-dwelling people with dementia: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

OBJECTIVES

To describe the current literature on pain assessment and pain treatment for community-dwelling people with dementia.

METHOD

A comprehensive systematic search of the literature with narrative synthesis was conducted. Eight major bibliographic databases were searched in October 2018. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were sequentially screened. Standardised data extraction and quality appraisal exercises were conducted.

RESULTS

Thirty-two studies were included in the review, 11 reporting findings on pain assessment tools or methods and 27 reporting findings on treatments for pain. In regard to pain assessment, a large proportion of people with moderate to severe dementia were unable to complete a self-report pain instrument. Pain was more commonly reported by informal caregivers than the person with dementia themselves. Limited evidence was available for pain-focused behavioural observation assessment. In regard to pain treatment, paracetamol use was more common in community-dwelling people with dementia compared with people without dementia. However, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used less. For stronger analgesics, community-dwelling people with dementia were more likely to receive strong opioids (eg, fentanyl) than people without dementia.

CONCLUSION

This review identifies a dearth of high-quality studies exploring pain assessment and/or treatment for community-dwelling people with dementia, not least into non-pharmacological interventions. The consequences of this lack of evidence, given the current and projected prevalence of the disease, are very serious and require urgent redress. In the meantime, clinicians should adopt a patient- and caregiver-centred, multi-dimensional, longitudinal approach to pain assessment and pain treatment for this population.

Opioid prescribing trends and geographical variation in England, 1998-2018: a retrospective database study

BACKGROUND

There is a call for greater monitoring of opioid prescribing in the UK, particularly of strong opioids in chronic pain, for which there is little evidence of clinical benefit. We aimed to comprehensively assess trends and variation in opioid prescribing in primary care in England, from 1998 to 2018, and to assess factors associated with high-dose opioid prescribing behaviour in general practices.

METHODS

We did a retrospective database study using open data sources on prescribing for all general practices in England. For all standard opioids we calculated the number of items prescribed, costs, and oral morphine equivalency to account for variation in strength. We assessed long-term prescribing trends from 1998 to 2017, patterns of geographical variation for 2018, and investigated practice factors associated with higher opioid prescribing. We also analysed prescriptions for long-acting opioids at high doses.

FINDINGS

Between 1998 and 2016, opioid prescriptions increased by 34% in England (from 568 per 1000 patients to 761 per 1000). After correcting for total oral morphine equivalency, the increase was 127% (from 190 000 mg to 431 000 mg per 1000 population). There was a decline in prescriptions from 2016 to 2017. If every practice prescribed high-dose opioids at the lowest decile rate, 543 000 fewer high-dose prescriptions could have been issued over a period of 6 months. Larger practice list size, ruralness, and deprivation were associated with greater high-dose prescribing rates. The clinical commissioning group to which a practice belongs accounted for 11·7% of the variation in high-dose prescribing. We have developed a publicly available interactive online tool, OpenPrescribing.net, which displays all primary care opioid prescribing data in England down to the individual practice level.

INTERPRETATION

Failing to account for opioid strength would substantially underestimate the true increase in opioid prescribing in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Our findings support calls for greater action to promote best practice in chronic pain prescribing and to reduce geographical variation. This study provides a model for routine monitoring of opioid prescribing to aid targeting of interventions to reduce high-dose prescribing.

FUNDING

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School of Primary Care Research, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Oxford, NHS England.

Medicine use during acute and chronic postinjury periods in whiplash-injured individuals

Medicine use as part of multimodal management for whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) is common: neck pain is the cardinal symptom, mental health conditions are common, and some individuals may have neurological signs and symptoms. Almost half of the individuals with WAD have ongoing pain and disability. However, medicine use during acute and chronic recovery periods for WAD management is unknown. We analysed medicine use during acute (<12 weeks) and chronic (12 weeks to 2 years) postinjury periods in adults claiming compensation for WAD in the no-fault jurisdiction of Victoria, Australia (n = 2871). Compared with males, females were more likely to have only nonopioid analgesic and/or NSAID claims during the acute postinjury period (odds ratio = 1.35 [95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.68]). However, high medicine use was more likely in males (1.39 [1.16-1.67]), middle-aged claimants (35-44 years) (1.74 [1.12-2.56]), and claimants with a common law claim (2.96 [2.38-3.68]). During both acute and chronic postinjury periods, over half of the pharmaceutical claimants were prescribed NSAIDs and weak opioid medicines, and over one quarter were prescribed benzodiazepines. Antidepressant use was high during the chronic period. The proportion of strong opioid claimants quadrupled between 2000/2001 (5.5%) and 2012/2013 (23.4%). Opioid consumption, expressed as oral morphine equivalent, was double in males than in females (z = -5.4, P < 0.001), and higher in middle-aged than in younger or older claimants (χ = 13.9, P < 0.001). The high opioid, benzodiazepine, and antidepressant medicine use in this study is concerning and highlights the need for pharmaceutical approaches that balance pain management while minimising risk.

Modulation of Opioid Transport at the Blood-Brain Barrier by Altered ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Expression and Activity

Opioids are highly effective analgesics that have a serious potential for adverse drug reactions and for development of addiction and tolerance. Since the use of opioids has escalated in recent years, it is increasingly important to understand biological mechanisms that can increase the probability of opioid-associated adverse events occurring in patient populations. This is emphasized by the current opioid epidemic in the United States where opioid analgesics are frequently abused and misused. It has been established that the effectiveness of opioids is maximized when these drugs readily access opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). Indeed, opioid delivery to the brain is significantly influenced by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In particular, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters that are endogenously expressed at the BBB are critical determinants of CNS opioid penetration. In this review, we will discuss current knowledge on the transport of opioid analgesic drugs by ABC transporters at the BBB. We will also examine how expression and trafficking of ABC transporters can be modified by pain and/or opioid pharmacotherapy, a novel mechanism that can promote opioid-associated adverse drug events and development of addiction and tolerance.

Examining patterns in opioid prescribing for non-cancer-related pain in Wales: preliminary data from a retrospective cross-sectional study using large datasets

Objectives

To examine trends in strong opioid prescribing in a primary care population in Wales and identify if factors such as age, deprivation and recorded diagnosis of depression or anxiety may have influenced any changes noted.

Design

Trend, cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of routine data from the Primary Care General Practice database and accessed via the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank.

Setting

A total of 345 Primary Care practices in Wales.

Participants

Anonymised records of 1,223,503 people aged 18 or over, receiving at least one opioid prescription between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015 were analysed. People with a cancer diagnosis (10.1%) were excluded from the detailed analysis.

Results

During the study period, 26,180,200 opioid prescriptions were issued to 1,223,503 individuals (55.9% female, 89.9% non-cancer diagnoses). The greatest increase in annual prescribing was in the 18-24 age group (10,470%), from 0.08 to 8.3 prescriptions/1000 population, although the 85+ age group had the highest prescribing rates across the study period (from 149.9 to 288.5 prescriptions/1000 population). The number of people with recorded diagnoses of depression or anxiety and prescribed strong opioids increased from 1.2 to 5.1 people/1000 population (328%). The increase was 366.9% in areas of highest deprivation compared to 310.3 in the least. Areas of greatest deprivation had more than twice the rate of strong opioid prescribing than the least deprived areas of Wales.

Conclusion

The study highlights a large increase in strong opioid prescribing for non-cancer pain, in Wales between 2005 and 2015. Population groups of interest include the youngest and oldest adult age groups and people with depression or anxiety particularly if living in the most deprived communities. Based on this evidence, development of a Welsh national guidance on safe and rational prescribing of opioids in chronic pain would be advisable to prevent further escalation of these medicines.

Summary points

This is the first large-scale, observational study of opioid prescribing in Wales.Over 1 million individual, anonymised medical records have been searched in order to develop the study cohort, thus reducing recall bias.Diagnosis and intervention coding in the Primary Care General Practice database is limited at input and may lead to under-reporting of diagnoses.There are limitations to the data available through the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage databank because anonymously linked dispensing data (what people collect from the pharmacy) are not currently available. Consequently, the results presented here could be seen as an 'intention to treat' and may under- or overestimate what people in Wales actually consume.

Comparative out-of-hospital mortality of long-acting opioids prescribed for non-cancer pain: A retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Despite significant growth of opioid prescriptions, only limited data are available regarding the comparative safety of long-acting opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. Recent data suggest that transdermal fentanyl and oxycodone CR may have greater toxicity than morphine SR in patients with non-cancer pain. Thus, we compared the risk of out-of-hospital deaths in patients with non-cancer pain filling prescriptions for transdermal fentanyl or oxycodone CR with that for morphine SR.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in 50 658 patients enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid who filled prescriptions for transdermal fentanyl (n = 8717), oxycodone CR (n = 14 118), or morphine SR (n = 27 823) between 1999 and 2011. We excluded individuals with cancer or other life-threatening diagnoses and used propensity scores to adjust for multiple potential confounders. The primary outcome was out-of-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

During 44 385 person-years of follow-up, 689 patients died. The out-of-hospital mortality rate among all study subjects was 155/10 000 patient-years. Contrary to earlier data suggesting greater risk, mortality was not significantly different in patients filling prescriptions for transdermal fentanyl compared with morphine SR (adjusted HR = 0.96, 95% C.I.: 0.77-1.21); moreover, patients filling prescriptions for oxycodone CR had lower mortality risk compared with those filling prescriptions for morphine SR (adjusted HR = 0.79, 95% C.I. 0.66-0.95).

CONCLUSION

In the study population, long-acting opioids for non-cancer pain were associated with high out-of-hospital mortality rates. We found comparable out-of-hospital mortality risks associated with transdermal fentanyl and morphine SR. The risk of out-of-hospital death for oxycodone CR was lower than that for morphine SR.