Prolonged Opioid Use After Primary Total Knee and Total Hip Arthroplasty: Prospective Evaluation of Risk Factors and Psychological Profile for Depression, Pain Catastrophizing, and Aberrant Drug-Related Behavior

Machine Learning Algorithms Can Be Reliably Leveraged to Identify Patients at High Risk of Prolonged Postoperative Opioid Use Following Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Background: Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a method to determine patient-specific risk for prolonged postoperative opioid use after orthopedic procedures. Purpose: We sought to analyze the efficacy and validity of ML algorithms in identifying patients who are at high risk for prolonged opioid use following orthopedic procedures. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science Core Collection databases were queried for articles published prior to August 2021 for articles applying ML to predict prolonged postoperative opioid use following orthopedic surgeries. Features pertaining to patient demographics, surgical procedures, and ML algorithm performance were analyzed. Results: Ten studies met inclusion criteria: 4 spine, 3 knee, and 3 hip. Studies reported postoperative opioid use over 30 to 365 days and varied in defining prolonged use. Prolonged postsurgical opioid use frequency ranged from 4.3% to 40.9%. C-statistics for spine studies ranged from 0.70 to 0.81; for knee studies, 0.75 to 0.77; and for hip studies, 0.71 to 0.77. Brier scores for spine studies ranged from 0.039 to 0.076; for knee, 0.01 to 0.124; and for hip, 0.052 to 0.21. Seven articles reported calibration intercept (range: -0.02 to 0.16) and calibration slope (range: 0.88 to 1.08). Nine articles included a decision curve analysis. No investigations performed external validation. Thematic predictors of prolonged postoperative opioid use were preoperative opioid, benzodiazepine, or antidepressant use and extremes of age depending on procedure population. Conclusions: This systematic review found that ML algorithms created to predict risk for prolonged postoperative opioid use in orthopedic surgery patients demonstrate good discriminatory performance. The frequency and predictive features of prolonged postoperative opioid use identified were consistent with existing literature, although algorithms remain limited by a lack of external validation and imperfect adherence to predictive modeling guidelines.

Functional Somatic Syndromes Are Associated With Varied Postoperative Outcomes and Increased Opioid Use After Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review assessing the relationship between functional somatic syndromes (FSSs) and clinical outcomes after spine surgery.

METHODS

A systematic review of online databases (PubMed and Web of Science) through December 2021 was conducted via PRISMA guidelines to identify all studies investigating the impact of at least one FSS (fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic headaches/migraines, interstitial cystitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity) on outcomes after spine surgery. Outcomes of interest included patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), postoperative opioid use, cost of care, complications, and readmission rates.

RESULTS

A total of 207 records were identified. Seven studies (n = 40,011 patients) met inclusion criteria with a mean MINORS score of 16.6 out of 24. Four studies (n = 21,086) reported postoperative opioid use; fibromyalgia was a strong risk factor for long-term opioid use after surgery whereas the association with chronic migraines remains unclear. Two studies (n = 233) reported postoperative patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) with mixed results suggesting a possible association between fibromyalgia and less favorable PROMs. One study (n = 18,692) reported higher postoperative complications in patients with fibromyalgia.

CONCLUSION

Patients with fibromyalgia and possibly migraines are at higher risk for prolonged postoperative opioid use and less favorable PROMs after spine surgery. There is limited research on the relationship between other Functional somatic syndromes (FSSs) and outcomes following spine surgery. Growing evidence suggests the variation in outcomes after spine procedures may be attributed to non-identifiable organic patient factors such as FSSs.

Functional somatic syndromes are associated with inferior outcomes and increased complications after hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Functional somatic syndromes (FSSs), defined as chronic physical symptoms with no identifiable organic cause, may impact results after hip and knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review assessing the relationship between FSSs and clinical outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

METHODS

The PubMed and Web of Science databases were queried from January 1955 through December 2021 for studies investigating the impact of at least one FSS (fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic headaches, and chronic low back pain) on outcomes after primary THA/TKA/UKA. Outcomes of interest included patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), postoperative opioid use, complications, revisions, and costs of care.

RESULTS

There were twenty-eight studies, including 768,909 patients, of which 378,384 had an FSS. Five studies reported preoperative PROMs prior to THA/TKA, all of which showed worse PROMs among patients with at least 1 FSS diagnosis. Thirteen studies reported postoperative PROMs after THA/TKA, all of which demonstrated worse PROMs among patients with at least 1 FSS diagnosis. Patients with FSS diagnoses were more likely to continue using opioids at 3, 6, and 12 months following TKA, THA, and UKA. Medical and surgical complications, as well as revision rates, were higher among patients with FSSs.

CONCLUSION

Patients with FSSs have inferior PROMs and are at increased risk for prolonged postoperative opioid use, medical and surgical complications, and revision after hip and knee arthroplasty. Improved understanding of the factors influencing the success of hip and knee arthroplasty is critical. Future studies should address the biopsychosocial determinants of health that can impact outcomes after total joint arthroplasty.

Preoperative Versus Perioperative Risk Factors for Delayed Pain and Opioid Cessation After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

The evolution of pre- versus postoperative risk factors remains unknown in the development of persistent postoperative pain and opioid use. We identified preoperative versus comprehensive perioperative models of delayed pain and opioid cessation after total joint arthroplasty including time-varying postoperative changes in emotional distress. We hypothesized that time-varying longitudinal measures of postoperative psychological distress, as well as pre- and postoperative use of opioids would be the most significant risk factors for both outcomes.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of 188 patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty at Stanford Hospital completed baseline pain, opioid use, and emotional distress assessments. After surgery, a modified Brief Pain Inventory was assessed daily for 3 months, weekly thereafter up to 6 months, and monthly thereafter up to 1 year. Emotional distress and pain catastrophizing were assessed weekly to 6 months, then monthly thereafter. Stepwise multivariate time-varying Cox regression modeled preoperative variables alone, followed by all perioperative variables (before and after surgery) with time to postoperative opioid and pain cessation.

RESULTS

The median time to opioid and pain cessation was 54 and 152 days, respectively. Preoperative total daily oral morphine equivalent use (hazard ratio-HR 0.97; 95% confidence interval-CI 0.96-0.98) was significantly associated with delayed postoperative opioid cessation in the perioperative model. In contrast, time-varying postoperative factors: elevated PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) depression scores (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87-0.98), and higher Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.75-0.97) were independently associated with delayed postoperative pain resolution in the perioperative model.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight preoperative opioid use as a key determinant of delayed postoperative opioid cessation, while postoperative elevations in depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing are associated with persistent pain after total joint arthroplasty providing the rationale for continued risk stratification before and after surgery to identify patients at highest risk for these distinct outcomes. Interventions targeting these perioperative risk factors may prevent prolonged postoperative pain and opioid use.

Post-total joint arthroplasty opioid prescribing practices vary widely and are not associated with opioid refill: an observational cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Optimized health system approaches to improving guideline-congruent care require evaluation of multilevel factors associated with prescribing practices and outcomes after total knee and hip arthroplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic health data from patients who underwent a total knee or hip arthroplasty between January 2016-January 2020 in the Military Health System Data were retrospectively analyzed. A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) examined the relationship between fixed covariates, random effects, and the primary outcome (30-day opioid prescription refill).

RESULTS

In the sample (N = 9151, 65% knee, 35% hip), the median discharge morphine equivalent dose was 660 mg [450, 892] and varied across hospitals and several factors (e.g., joint, race and ethnicity, mental and chronic pain conditions, etc.). Probability of an opioid refill was higher in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty, were white, had a chronic pain or mental health condition, had a lower age, and received a presurgical opioid prescription (all p < 0.01). Sex assigned in the medical record, hospital duration, discharge non-opioid prescription receipt, discharge morphine equivalent dose, and receipt of an opioid-only discharge prescription were not significantly associated with opioid refill.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, several patient-, care-, and hospital-level factors were associated with an increased probability of an opioid prescription refill within 30 days after arthroplasty. Future work is needed to identify optimal approaches to reduce unwarranted and inequitable healthcare variation within a patient-centered framework.

The association of depression and anxiety with postoperative opioid use following total joint arthroplasty

Background

The devastating opioid epidemic in the United States has been exacerbated by health care practices as well as underlying individual factors. Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is one of the most common surgical procedures performed annually and patients frequently require opioids for pain control. Patient anxiety and depression has been shown to be associated with increased pain and poorer outcomes after TJA. Our study sought to determine if there was an association between depression/anxiety and postoperative opioid use following TJA.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, postoperative outcomes after TJA were compared among three cohorts of patients: 1) no depression; 2) mild depression; or 3) moderate or severe depression at our institution from 2017 to 2019. Our primary outcome was persistent opioid use ≥3 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative day 1 opioid consumption and hospital length of stay (LOS). Multivariable regression modeling was performed to control for various potential confounders.

Results

Of the 542 total patients that met inclusion criteria for this study, 53 (9.8%) had mild depression and 67 (12.4%) had moderate or severe depression. Persistent opioid use ≥3 months after surgery was found in 132 (24.3%) patients. Mild depression was associated with increased odds of persistent opioid use (odds ratio 4.11, 95% confidence interval 1.65-10.18, P = 0.002). Depression was not associated with immediate postoperative opioid use or hospital LOS.

Conclusion

Mild depression was associated with persistent opioid use after surgery. Future studies should investigate if better management of this comorbidity could improve outcomes in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty.

Impact of COVID-19 on opioid use in those awaiting hip and knee arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact on access to hip and knee arthroplasty surgery. We set out to examine whether this had a subsequent impact on preoperative opioid prescribing rates for those awaiting surgery.

METHODS

Data regarding patient demographics and opioid utilisation were collected from the electronic health records of included patients at a large university teaching hospital. Patients on the outpatient waiting list for primary hip and knee arthroplasty as of September 2020 (COVID-19 group) were compared with historical controls (Controls) who had previously undergone surgery. A sample size calculation indicated 452 patients were required to detect a 15% difference in opioid prescription rates between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 548 patients (58.2% female) were included, 260 in the COVID-19 group and 288 in the Controls. Baseline demographics were similar between the groups. For those with data available, the proportion of patients on any opioid at follow-up in the COVID-19 group was significantly higher: 55.0% (143/260) compared with 41.2% (112/272) in the Controls (p=0.002). This remained significant when adjusted for confounding (age, gender, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, procedure and wait time). The proportion of patients on a strong opioid was similar (4.2% (11/260) vs 4.8% (13/272)) for COVID-19 and Controls, respectively. The median waiting time from referral to follow-up was significantly longer in the COVID-19 group compared with the Controls (455 days vs 365 days; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The work provides evidence of potential for an emerging opioid problem associated with the influence of COVID-19 on elective arthroplasty services. Viable alternatives to opioid analgesia for those with end-stage arthritis should be explored, and prolonged waiting times for surgery ought to be avoided in the recovery from COVID-19 to prevent more widespread opioid use.

Out-of-hospital opioid prescriptions after knee and hip arthroplasty: prescribers and the first prescribed opioid

BACKGROUND

We determined the first prescribed opioid and the prescribers of opioids after knee and hip arthroplasty (KA/HA) between 2013 and 2018 in the Netherlands. We also evaluated whether the first prescribed opioid dose was associated with the total dispensed dose and long-term opioid use in the first postoperative year.

METHODS

The Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics was linked to the Dutch Arthroplasty Register. Stratified for KA/HA, the first out-of-hospital opioid within 30 days of operation was quantified as median morphine milligram equivalent (MME). Opioid prescribers were orthopaedic surgeons, general practitioners, rheumatologists, anaesthesiologists, and other physicians. Long-term use was defined as ≥1 opioid prescription for >90 postoperative days. We used linear and logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of 46 106 KAs and 51% of the 42 893 HAs were prescribed ≥1 opioid. Oxycodone increased as first prescribed opioid (from 44% to 85%) whereas tramadol decreased (64-11%), but their dosage remained stable (stronger opioids were preferred by prescribers). An increase in the first prescription of 1% MME resulted in a 0.43%/0.37% increase in total MME (KA/HA, respectively). A 100 MME increase in dose of the first dispensed opioid had a small effect on long-term use (prevalence: 25% KA, 20% HA) (odds ratio=1.02/1.01 for KA/HA, respectively). Orthopaedic surgeons increasingly prescribed the first prescription between 2013 and 2018 (44-69%). General practitioners mostly prescribed consecutive prescriptions (>50%).

CONCLUSION

Oxycodone increased as first out-of-hospital prescription between 2013 and 2018. The dose of the first prescribed opioid was associated with the total dose and a small increased risk of prolonged use. First prescriptions were mostly written by orthopaedic surgeons and consecutive prescriptions by general practitioners.

Team Approach: Use of Opioids in Orthopaedic Practice

»

The opioid epidemic represents a serious health burden on patients across the United States.

»

This epidemic is particularly pertinent to the field of orthopaedics because it is one of the fields providing the highest volume of opioid prescriptions.

»

The use of opioids before orthopaedic surgery has been associated with decreased patient-reported outcomes, increased surgery-related complications, and chronic opioid use.

»

Several patient-level factors, such as preoperative opioid consumption and musculoskeletal and mental health conditions, contribute to the prolonged use of opioids after surgery, and various screening tools for identifying high-risk drug use patterns are available.

»

The identification of these high-risk patients should be followed by strategies aimed at mitigating opioid misuse, including patient education, opioid use optimization, and a collaborative approach between health care providers.

Patients With Functional Somatic Syndromes-Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Headaches, and Chronic Low Back Pain-Have Lower Outcomes and Higher Opioid Usage and Cost After Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

PURPOSE

To perform a systematic review assessing the relationship between functional somatic syndromes (FSSs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), postoperative opioid consumption, and hospitalization costs after shoulder and elbow surgery.

METHODS

A systematic review of the PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines to identify all studies evaluating the effect of having at least 1 FSS (fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, chronic low back pain) on outcomes after shoulder and elbow surgeries. Outcomes of interest included postoperative analgesic use, PROMs, and hospitalization costs.

RESULTS

The review identified a total of 320 studies, of which 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. The total number of participants in our 8 included studies was 57,389. Three studies (n = 620) reported PROMs. These studies demonstrated that the presence of at least 1 FSS is predictive of significantly greater pain scores and lower quality of recovery, Disability Arm Shoulder and Hand, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores postoperatively. Although scores were inferior in among patients with FSS, 2 of the 3 studies showed improvement in PROMs in this group of patients. Seven studies (n = 56,909) reported postoperative opioid use. Of these, 5 reported that a diagnosis of at least 1 FSS was a strong risk factor for long-term opioid use after surgery. One study (n = 480) found that time-driven activity-based costs were significantly greater in patients with FSSs.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with functional somatic syndromes have less-favorable PROMs postoperatively, consume more opioids postoperatively, and have greater health care costs after elective shoulder and elbow procedures. Although PROMs among patients with FSSs are inferior compared with those without FSSs, PROMs still improved compared with baseline.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, systematic review of Level II-III studies.

Opioid Legislation Decreases Opioid Prescribing in Total Knee Arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of opioid-limiting legislation on perioperative opioid prescriptions in total knee arthroplasty. The hypothesis was that opioid legislation has reduced opioid prescription filling above levels anticipated by national trends. This study retrospectively evaluated opioid prescription filling for all patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in a commercially available insurance database between 2010 and 2018 (n=1,068,764). Initial discharge and 90-day cumulative oxycodone 5-mg equivalents filled were tabulated. Opioid prescription filling was evaluated over time and between states with and without opioid-limiting legislation using analysis of variance and multivariable linear and logistic regression. States with and without opioid legislation had significant reductions in initial and cumulative opioid prescription filling volume (all P<.001). However, the magnitude of this reduction was larger in states with opioid legislation. Legislation targeting duration and volume had the largest impact on initial post-act opioid prescription filling volume compared with states without legislation in an estimated "pre-act" time frame. Legislation targeting duration and volume and no specific target had the largest impact on cumulative post-act opioid prescription filling volume. States without legislation still had large, significant reductions in filling volume, but the magnitude was not as great as in states with opioid legislation. States with and without opioid legislation had significant decreases in initial and cumulative opioid prescription filling volume. However, the magnitude of reduction was larger in states that enacted legislation. Younger age, pre-operative opioid use, and higher comorbidity burden were associated with greater opioid use postoperatively. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].

Predictors of continued opioid use 6 months after total joint arthroplasty: a multi-site study

PURPOSE

Continued opioid use after total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) is well-documented and associated with both surgical and patient-reported factors. Research examining the combined effects of a multitude of factors on continued, and even chronic, opioid use in a systematic algorithmic manner is lacking. This study prospectively evaluated the combined effect of patient-related and surgical factors associated with continued opioid use after TKA/THA.

METHODS

From 2016 to 2018, 198 participants undergoing TKA or THA were recruited from two tertiary care facilities. Participants completed surveys before surgery and at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months following surgery. A LASSO approach, followed by an exhaustive covariate selection procedure, was used to build a multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model estimating the odds ratio of continued postoperative opioid use based on surgical factors and patient-reported factors.

RESULTS

Approximately half of the participants underwent either TKA (49%) or THA (51%). Preoperatively, 15% of participants reported taking opioid medication. Opioid use decreased from 68% at 2-week follow-up to 7% by 6 months. In addition, preoperative opioid use (95% CI 1.07-4.37), increased pain (95% CI 1.21-1.62), elevated preoperative Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores (95% CI 1.01-1.04), lower Physical Function scores (95% CI 0.87-0.95), and participants undergoing TKA, compared to THA, (95% CI 0.25-0.67) were found to be significantly associated with continued postoperative opioid use up to 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative opioid use, average pain, reduced physical function, and TKA were significantly associated with continued postoperative opioid use. Findings illustrate the need for preoperative and longitudinal assessment of patient-reported outcomes to mitigate poor postoperative pain outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Language barriers and postoperative opioid prescription use after total knee arthroplasty

Background

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) face difficulties in access to postoperative follow-up care, including post-discharge medication refills. However, prior studies have not examined how utilization of prescription pain medications after discharge from joint replacement surgeries differs between English proficient (EP) and LEP patients.

Objective

This study explored the relationship between English language proficiency and opioid prescription refill requests after hospital discharge for total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

This was an observational cohort study of patients ≥18 years of age who underwent TKA between January 2015 and December 2019 at a single academic center. LEP status was defined as not having English as the primary language and requesting an interpreter. Primary outcome variables included opioid pain medication refill requests between 0 and 90 days from discharge. Multivariable logistic regression modeling calculated the odds ratios of requesting an opioid refill.

Results

A total of 2148 patients underwent TKA, and 9.8% had LEP. Postoperative pain levels and rates of prior opioid use did not differ between LEP and EP patients. LEP patients were less likely to request an opioid prescription refill within 30 days (35.3% vs 52.4%, p < 0.001), 60 days (48.7% vs 61.0%, p = 0.004), and 90 days (54.0% vs 62.9%, p = 0.041) after discharge. In multivariable analysis, LEP patients had an odds ratio of 0.61 of requesting an opioid refill (95% CI, 0.41–0.92, p = 0.019) within 30 days of discharge. Having Medicare insurance and longer lengths of hospitalization were correlated with lower odds of 0–30 days opioid refills, while prior opioid use and being discharged home were associated with higher odds of opioid refill requests 0–30 days after discharge for TKA.

Conclusions

Language barriers may contribute to poorer access to postoperative care, including prescription medication refills. Barriers to postoperative care may exist at multiple levels for LEP patients undergoing surgical procedures.

The role for high volume local infiltration analgesia with liposomal bupivacaine in total hip arthroplasty: A scoping review

Introduction

Liposomal bupivacaine has been integrated into clinical practice within many surgical disciplines to reduce post-operative pain and opioid consumption. This novel agent has been utilized in this regard in many subdisciplines of orthopedic surgery. Total hip arthroplasty has significant opioid use post-operatively as compared to many other orthopedic disciplines.

Objectives

The purpose of the present investigation is to summarize the current use of liposomal bupivacaine after total hip arthroplasty and to shed light on the prospect of liposomal bupivacaine to reduce opioid use after total hip arthroplasty. A tertiary purpose is to identify future areas of adjunctive pain measures that can assist in the reduction of opioid use after total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

This IRB-exempt scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist strictly. The literature search was performed in Mendeley. Search fields were varied until redundant. All articles were screened by title and abstract and a preliminary decision to include an article was made. The full-text screening was performed on the selected articles. Any question regarding the inclusion of an article was discussed by three authors until an agreement was reached.

Results

A total of 21 articles were included for qualitative description of the opioid epidemic, opioid overuse in total hip arthroplasty, and risk factors for opioid overuse in total hip arthroplasty. A total of 9 articles were included regarding the use of liposomal bupivacaine in total hip arthroplasty. Several risk factors have been identified for opioid overuse after total hip arthroplasty. These include younger age, an opioid risk tool score of > 7, a higher body mass index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency syndromes, preexisting pain syndromes, peripheral vascular disease, anxiety and mood disorders, and substance abuse disorders. Liposomal bupivacaine reduces postoperative opioid use, patient-reported outcomes, length of stay, and time to ambulation, yet is more expensive than traditional bupivacaine.

Conclusions

Liposomal bupivacaine represents a useful adjunct for multimodal pain strategies in total hip arthroplasty with sufficient evidence to suggest that it may be useful in decreasing postoperative opioid use. The high costs of LB represent a barrier to institutional acceptance of LB into standardized multimodal pain strategies. Further efforts should be aimed toward better understanding the current state of integration of LB into academic and private practice settings, industry movements to decrease the cost, and the role other adjunctive measures may have in reducing post-operative opioid use.

Predicting Post-Discharge Opioid Consumption After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in the Opioid-Naïve Patient

BACKGROUND

Pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression are associated with poor outcomes after total hip (THA) and total knee (TKA) arthroplasty. The goal of this study is to determine the relationship between post-operative pain scores and opioid consumption; and the association among pre-operative measures of anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing and post-operative opioid consumption in patients undergoing THA and TKA.

METHODS

This is a single-institution prospective cohort study of 243 opioid-naïve patients undergoing elective, primary THA (n = 123) or TKA (n = 120) for osteoarthritis. Pre-operatively, patients completed the PROMIS-29 (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures Information System; physical function/anxiety/depression/fatigue/sleep disturbance/social activities/pain interference/pain intensity) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Post-operatively, patients completed a weekly survey for 12 weeks determining morphine-milligram-equivalent (MME) opioid consumption, opioid cessation, and visual analog scale pain scores. Multivariable regression models determined the association between pre-operative scores and post-operative opioid consumption.

RESULTS

Mean (±standard deviation) total opioid consumption and duration was 75.1 ± 112.0 MME and 1.7 ± 1.7 weeks in THA and 384.7 ± 473.3 MME and 4.3 ± 3.5 weeks in TKA. Visual analog scale pain scores (0-100) after opioid cessation were 28.0 ± 22.9 in THA and 30.7 ± 25.8 in TKA. Multivariable regression showed that each unit increase in PROMIS-29 fatigue T-score was associated with 8.4 hours longer opioid usage in THA (P = .008) and 15.1 hours longer in TKA (P = .036), as well as 12.7 MME additional opioids in TKA (P = .027). There were no significant associations with other PROMIS-29 domains or the Pain Catastrophizing Scale.

CONCLUSION

Opioid use duration is different for THA and TKA and may correlate with pain scores. Only pre-operative fatigue was associated with post-operative opioid consumption. These findings should inform THA and TKA post-operative pain management pathways.

Machine learning algorithms predict extended postoperative opioid use in primary total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

Adequate postoperative pain control following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is required to achieve optimal patient recovery. However, the postoperative recovery may lead to an unnaturally extended opioid use, which has been associated with adverse outcomes. This study hypothesizes that machine learning models can accurately predict extended opioid use following primary TKA.

METHODS

A total of 8873 consecutive patients that underwent primary TKA were evaluated, including 643 patients (7.2%) with extended postoperative opioid use (> 90 days). Electronic patient records were manually reviewed to identify patient demographics and surgical variables associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use. Five machine learning algorithms were developed, encompassing the breadth of state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms available in the literature, to predict extended opioid use following primary TKA, and these models were assessed by discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

The strongest predictors for prolonged opioid prescription following primary TKA were preoperative opioid duration (100% importance; p < 0.01), drug abuse (54% importance; p < 0.01), and depression (47% importance; p < 0.01). The five machine learning models all achieved excellent performance across discrimination (AUC > 0.83), calibration, and decision curve analysis. Higher net benefits for all machine learning models were demonstrated, when compared to the default strategies of changing management for all patients or no patients.

CONCLUSION

The study findings show excellent model performance for the prediction of extended postoperative opioid use following primary total knee arthroplasty, highlighting the potential of these models to assist in preoperatively identifying at risk patients, and allowing the implementation of individualized peri-operative counselling and pain management strategies to mitigate complications associated with prolonged opioid use.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Long-term opioid use in seniors following hip and knee arthroplasty in Ontario: a historical cohort study

PURPOSE

Canadian seniors who undergo hip and knee arthroplasty often experience significant postoperative pain, which could result in persistent opioid use. We aimed to document the impact of preoperative opioid use and other characteristics on postoperative opioid prescriptions in elderly patients following hip and knee replacement before widespread dissemination of opioid reduction strategies.

METHODS

We conducted a historical cohort study to evaluate postoperative opioid use in patients over 65 yr undergoing primary total hip and knee replacement over a ten-year period from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2016, using linked de-identified Ontario administrative data. We determined the use of preoperative opioids and the duration of postoperative opioid prescriptions (short-term [1-90 days], prolonged [91-180 days], chronic [181-365 days], or undocumented).

RESULTS

The study included 49,638 hip and 85,558 knee replacement patients. Eighteen percent of hip and 21% of knee replacement patients received an opioid prescription within 90 days before surgery. Postoperatively, 51% of patients filled opioid prescriptions for 1-90 days, while 24% of hip and 29% of knee replacement patients filled prescriptions between 6 and 12 months, with no impact of preoperative opioid use. Residence in long-term care was a significant predictor of chronic opioid use (hip: odds ratio [OR], 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93 to 3.59; knee: OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.75 to 3.45); other risk factors included female sex and increased comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Despite a main goal of joint arthroplasty being relief of pain, seniors commonly remained on postoperative opioids, even if not receiving opioids before surgery. Opioid reduction strategies need to be implemented at the surgical, primary physician, long-term care, and patient levels. These findings form a basis for future investigations following implementation of opioid reduction approaches.

Fibromyalgia syndrome - a risk factor for poor outcomes following orthopaedic surgery: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex syndrome incorporating many features associated with poor outcome in orthopaedic surgery. Aim of the present review was to comprehensively characterize the available evidence on the consequences of pre-existent FM on the outcomes of orthopaedic surgery.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search in MedLine and Web of Science (WOS) to identify studies evaluating the effect of FM on patient-centred outcomes, opioids consumption and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

The search strategy identified 519 records in PubMed and 507 in WOS. A total of 27 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in qualitative synthesis. Based on quality assessment, 10 studies were rated as good quality, 10 as fair quality and 7 as poor quality. Studies reporting the prevalence of FM in consecutive patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery (n = 19) were included in quantitative synthesis. The pooled prevalence of FM in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery was 4.1% (95% CI: 2.4-6.8) in those receiving hip or knee surgery, 10.1% (95% CI: 5.7-17.2) in those receiving shoulder or elbow surgery and 21.0% (95% CI: 18.5-23.7) in those receiving spinal surgery. The results of our systematic review consistently report FM as a significant risk factor for less satisfaction, higher pain, worse functional outcome, increased risk for postoperative opioids prescription and higher rate of medical and surgical complications following orthopaedic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Identifying pre-existing FM in patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic surgery may help to better assess the benefit/risk ratio, improve patients' awareness and minimize any discrepancy between expectancy and results.