The Opioid-Tolerant Patient: Opioid Optimization

Correlation of Patient-Reported Preoperative Narcotic Use and Postoperative Requirements in Total Joint Arthroplasty

Preoperative narcotic use is associated with diminished outcomes and increased complications in patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The goal of this study was to compare self-reported and state database identified preoperative narcotic use and correlate it with perioperative narcotic requirements in patients undergoing primary arthroplasty. A total of 788 patients undergoing unilateral TJA from a single institution were examined using self-reported preoperative narcotic use questionnaires and were verified using the Massachusetts Prescriber Awareness Tool (MassPAT). Demographic data, perioperative morphine milligram equivalents, and postdischarge refills were recorded and analyzed. Of the total population, 16.4% of patients undergoing TJA had verified MassPAT narcotics prescriptions preoperatively. Of these patients, 55% accurately reported use to their surgeon. Patients with verified MassPAT narcotic prescriptions required more morphine milligram equivalents than patients without MassPAT prescriptions, regardless of their preoperative self-report at all time points in the study. Patients who accurately reported use required more narcotics than those who did not. Patients with MassPAT prescriptions required more postdischarge refills than patients without MassPAT prescriptions. These data suggest that state-run narcotics databases may be more useful than self-reports for identifying which patients may require more opioids both immediately postoperatively and after hospital discharge. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(1):34-39.].

Cost-utility analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism panel-based machine learning algorithm to predict risk of opioid use disorder

Aim: To conduct a cost-utility analysis of a novel genetic diagnostic test (OUDTEST) for risk of developing opioid use disorder for elective orthopedic surgery patients. Materials & Methods: A simulation model assessed cost-effectiveness and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for OUDTEST from private insurer and self-insured employer perspectives over a 5-year time horizon for a hypothetical patient population. Results: OUDTEST was found to cost less and increase QALYs, over a 5-year period for private insurance (savings US$2510; QALYs 0.02) and self-insured employers (-US$2682; QALYs 0.02). OUDTEST was a dominant strategy in 71.1% (private insurance) and 72.7% (self-insured employer) of model iterations. Sensitivity analyses revealed robust results except for physician compliance. Conclusion: OUDTEST was expected to be a cost-effective solution for personalizing postsurgical pain management in orthopedic patients.

A multisociety organizational consensus process to define guiding principles for acute perioperative pain management

The US Health and Human Services Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force initiated a public-private partnership which led to the publication of its report in 2019. The report emphasized the need for individualized, multimodal, and multidisciplinary approaches to pain management that decrease the over-reliance on opioids, increase access to care, and promote widespread education on pain and substance use disorders. The Task Force specifically called on specialty organizations to work together to develop evidence-based guidelines. In response to this report's recommendations, a consortium of 14 professional healthcare societies committed to a 2-year project to advance pain management for the surgical patient and improve opioid safety. The modified Delphi process included two rounds of electronic voting and culminated in a live virtual event in February 2021, during which seven common guiding principles were established for acute perioperative pain management. These principles should help to inform local action and future development of clinical practice recommendations.