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French HP, Cunningham J, Bennett K, Cadogan CA, Clyne B, Doyle F, Moriarty F, Ryan JM, Smith SM, Passos VL. Patterns of pain medication usage and self-reported pain in older Irish adults with osteoarthritis: A latent class analysis of data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2024; 25:773. [PMID: 39358713 PMCID: PMC11447940 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07854-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify and describe links between pain medication use and self-reported pain among people aged ≥ 50 years with osteoarthritis (OA) in an Irish population, and to examine the relationships between pain, medication usage and socioeconomic and clinical characteristics. METHODS Secondary data analysis of wave 1 cross-sectional data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) was undertaken of 1042 people with self-reported doctor-diagnosed OA. We examined use of medications typically included in OA clinical guidelines, including non-opioid analgesics (e.g. paracetamol), topical and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids and nutraceuticals. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify underlying clinical subgroups based on medication usage patterns, and self-reported pain severity. Multinomial logistic regression was used to explore sociodemographic and clinical characteristic links to latent class membership. RESULTS A total of 358 (34.4%) of the 1042 people in this analysis were taking pain medications including oral NSAIDs (17.5%), analgesics (11.4%) and opioids (8.7%). Nutraceutical (glucosamine/chondroitin) use was reported by 8.6% and topical NSAID use reported by 1.4%. Three latent classes were identified: (1) Low medication use/no pain (n = 382, 37%), (2) low medication use/moderate pain (n = 523, 50%) and (3) moderate medication use/high pain (n = 137, 13%). Poorer self-rated health and greater sleep disturbance were associated with classes 2 and 3; depressive symptoms and female gender were associated with class 2, and retirement associated with class 3. CONCLUSIONS Whilst pain medication use varied with pain severity, different medication types reported broadly aligned with OA guidelines. The two subgroups exhibiting higher pain levels demonstrated poorer self-rated health and greater sleep disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P French
- School of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - J Cunningham
- School of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - K Bennett
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C A Cadogan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - B Clyne
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F Doyle
- Department of Health Psychology, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F Moriarty
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J M Ryan
- School of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S M Smith
- Discipline of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - V Lima Passos
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
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Johansson MS, Pottegård A, Søndergaard J, Englund M, Grønne DT, Skou ST, Roos EM, Thorlund JB. Use of prescribed analgesics before and after exercise therapy and patient education in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis. Rheumatol Int 2024; 44:319-328. [PMID: 37775621 PMCID: PMC10796603 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05432-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate utilisation patterns of prescribed analgesics before, during, and after an exercise therapy and patient education program among patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis. This cohort study is based on data from the nationwide Good Life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) patient-register linked with national health registries including data on prescribed analgesics. GLA:D® consists of 8-12 weeks of exercise and patient education. We included 35,549 knee/hip osteoarthritis patients starting the intervention between January 2013 and November 2018. Utilisation patterns the year before, 3 months during, and the year after the intervention were investigated using total dispensed defined daily doses (DDDs) per month per 1000 population as outcome. During the year before the intervention, use of prescribed paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids increased with 85%, 79% and 22%, respectively. During the intervention, use of paracetamol decreased with 16% with a stable use the following year. Use of NSAIDs and opioids decreased with 38% and 8%, respectively, throughout the intervention and the year after. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the prescription of most analgesics changed over time. For paracetamol, NSAIDs, and opioids, 10% of analgesic users accounted for 45%, 50%, and 70%, respectively, of the total DDDs dispensed during the study period. In general, analgesic use increased the year before the intervention followed by a decrease during the intervention and the year after. A small proportion of analgesic users accounted for half or more of all paracetamol, NSAIDs, and opioids dispensed during the study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melker S Johansson
- Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Anton Pottegård
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Englund
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dorte T Grønne
- Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Søren T Skou
- Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- The Research Unit PROgrez, Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Næstved-Slagelse-Ringsted Hospitals, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Ewa M Roos
- Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jonas B Thorlund
- Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Atkins N, Mukhida K. The relationship between patients’ income and education and their access to pharmacological chronic pain management: A scoping review. Can J Pain 2022; 6:142-170. [PMID: 36092247 PMCID: PMC9450907 DOI: 10.1080/24740527.2022.2104699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Atkins
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Karim Mukhida
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Hartvigsen J, Kamper SJ, French SD. Low-value care in musculoskeletal health care: Is there a way forward? Pain Pract 2022; 22 Suppl 2:65-70. [PMID: 36109843 PMCID: PMC9545107 DOI: 10.1111/papr.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-value care that wastes resources and harms patients is prevalent in health systems everywhere. METHODS As part of an invited keynote presentation at the Pain in Motion IV conference held in Maastricht, Holland, in May 2022, we reviewed evidence for low-value care in musculoskeletal conditions and discussed possible solutions. RESULTS Drivers of low-value care are diverse and affect patients, clinicians, and health systems everywhere. We show that low-value care for back pian, neck pain, and osteoarthritis is prevalent in all professional groups involved in caring for people who seek care for these conditions. Implementation efforts that aim to reverse low-value care seem to work better if designed using established conceptual and theoretical frameworks. CONCLUSION Low-value care is prevalent in the care of people with musculoskeletal conditions. Reducing low-value care requires behaviour change among patients and clinicians as well as in health systems. There is evidence that behaviour change can be facilitated through good conceptual and theoretical frameworks but not convincing evidence that it changes patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hartvigsen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Center for Muscle and Joint Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.,Chiropractic Knowledge Hub, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Steven J Kamper
- School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simon D French
- Department of Chiropractic, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Ross BJ, Wortman RJ, Lee OC, Mansour AA, Cole WW, Sherman WF. Is Prior Hip Arthroscopy Associated With Higher Complication Rates or Prolonged Opioid Claims After Total Hip Arthroplasty? A Matched Cohort Study. Orthop J Sports Med 2022; 10:23259671221126508. [PMID: 36199826 PMCID: PMC9528006 DOI: 10.1177/23259671221126508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hip arthroscopy (HA) procedures have increased exponentially in recent years. Their effect on outcomes after subsequent total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unclear. Purpose: To compare rates of complications and opioid claims after elective THA among patients with prior HA versus controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent THA were identified in the PearlDiver database. Arthroplasty performed for hip fractures and hip avascular necrosis were excluded. Within this population, patients with HA before arthroplasty (n = 3156) were propensity score matched 1:1 with controls on age, sex, US region, and several comorbidities. Rates of medical complications within 90 days and prosthesis-related complications within 2 years were queried. The number of patients with an opioid claim within 0 to 30 days and subsequent opioid claim(s) during the 90-day global period were obtained to assess rates of prolonged opioid use after arthroplasty. Rates of postoperative complications and opioid claims were compared using logistic regression. Results: Patients with prior HA exhibited significantly lower rates of readmission (5.6% vs 7.3%; odds ratio [OR], 0.72), pulmonary embolism (0.2% vs 0.6%; OR, 0.45), urinary tract infection (3.1% vs 4.0%; OR, 0.75), and blood transfusion (3.6% vs 6.1%; OR, 0.55). The prior HA cohort also exhibited a significantly lower rate of prosthetic joint infection at 1 year postoperatively (0.6% vs 1.3%; OR, 0.50). Rates of dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, mechanical complications, and aseptic revision arthroplasty were statistically comparable between the cohorts within 2 years. The prior HA cohort was significantly less likely to file persistent opioid claims after 30 days postoperatively, including between 31 and 60 days (27.2% vs 33.1%; OR, 0.74) and 61 to 90 days (16.2% vs 20.9%; OR, 0.71). Conclusion: After elective THA, patients with prior HA exhibited significantly lower rates of medical complications and prolonged opioid claims within 90 days and prosthetic joint infection at 1 year. Rates of all other prosthesis-related complications within 2 years were statistically comparable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey J. Ross
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ryan J. Wortman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Olivia C. Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, LSUHSC School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Alfred A. Mansour
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas, McGovern School of Medicine at UTHealth, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wendell W. Cole
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - William F. Sherman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Similar Effects of Exercise Therapy, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, and Opioids for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022; 52:207-216. [PMID: 35442752 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2022.10490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis pain. DESIGN Systematic review with network meta-analysis. LITERATURE SEARCH We searched the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to April 15, 2021. Web of Science was used for citation tracking. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials comparing exercise therapy, NSAIDs, and opioids in any combination for knee osteoarthritis pain. DATA SYNTHESIS Network meta-analysis comparing exercise therapy, NSAIDs, opioids, and placebo/control for knee osteoarthritis pain. Additional trials from previous reviews were included to create the external placebo/control anchor. RESULTS We included 13 trials (1398 patients) with direct comparisons, supplemented with data from 101 additional trials. The treatment effect of NSAIDs for knee osteoarthritis pain was similar to that of opioids (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.14 to 0.18; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations [GRADE]: low certainty). Exercise therapy had a larger effect than NSAIDs (SMD, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.89; GRADE: very low certainty). No estimate could be made for exercise vs opioids due to the lack of studies. Exercise therapy ranked as the "best" intervention in the network meta-analysis, followed by NSAIDs, opioids, and placebo/control intervention (GRADE: low certainty). CONCLUSION Exercise therapy ranked as the best treatment for knee osteoarthritis pain, followed by NSAIDs and opioids. The difference between treatments was small and likely not clinically relevant, and the overall confidence in the ranking was low. The results highlight the limited evidence for comparative effectiveness between exercise therapy, NSAIDs, and opioids for knee osteoarthritis pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(4):207-216. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.10490.
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Gonçalves S, Gowler PR, Woodhams SG, Turnbull J, Hathway G, Chapman V. The challenges of treating osteoarthritis pain and opportunities for novel peripherally directed therapeutic strategies. Neuropharmacology 2022; 213:109075. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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ABBOTT A, GUSTAFSSON K, ZHOU C, ROLFSON O, SVENSSON GL. Analgesic prescriptions received by patients before commencing the BOA model of care for osteoarthritis: a Swedish national registry study with matched reference and clinical guideline benchmarking. Acta Orthop 2022; 93:51-58. [PMID: 34678106 PMCID: PMC8815318 DOI: 10.1080/17453674.2021.1992932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose - Swedish clinical guidelines for osteoarthritis (OA) prioritize patient education, exercise, and-if necessary-weight reduction before considering adjunct pharmacological intervention. Contrariwise, we investigated the proportion and type of dispensed analgesic prescriptions in Sweden received by patients during 3 years before commencing non-pharmacological primary care interventions for OA (2008-2016) compared with the general population. Furthermore, we analyzed the proportion of analgesic prescriptions dispensed before (2008-2012) compared with after (2012-2016) guideline publication in terms of concordance with clinical guideline recommendations. Patients and methods - Patients with hip or knee OA (n = 72,069) from the Better Management of OA national quality register receiving non-pharmacological interventions in primary care between 2008 and 2016 were included (OA cohort). An age, sex, and residence matched reference cohort (n = 216,207) was formed from the Swedish Total Population Register. Based on a period 3 years prior to inclusion in the OA cohort, Swedish Prescribed Drug Register data was linked to both the OA and reference cohorts. Results - Compared with the reference cohort, a distinctly larger proportion of the OA cohort had dispensed prescriptions for most types of analgesics, increasing exponentially each year prior to commencing non-pharmacological intervention. Since guideline publication, the proportion of the OA cohort having no dispensed prescription analgesics prior to non-pharmacological primary care intervention concordantly increased by 5.0% (95% CI 4.2-5.9). Furthermore, dispensed prescriptions concordantly decreased for non-selective NSAIDs -8.6% (CI -9.6 to -7.6), weak opioids -6.8% (CI -7.7 to -5.9), glucosamine -9.5% (CI -9.8 to -8.8). and hyaluronic acid -1.6% (CI -1.8 to -1.5) but discordantly increased for strong opioids 2.8% (CI 2.1-3.4) and glucocorticoid intra-articular injection for hip OA 2.1% (CI 1.0-3.1). Interpretation - In Sweden, dispensed prescription of analgesics commonly occurred before initiating non-pharmacological primary care interventions for OA but reduced modestly after guideline publication, which prioritizes nonpharmacological before pharmacological interventions. Additional modest improvements occurred in the steppedcare prioritization of analgesic prescription types. However, future strategies are required to curb an increase of strong opioids prescription for OA and glucocorticoid intra-articular injection for hip OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan ABBOTT
- Unit of Physiotherapy, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping
| | - Kristin GUSTAFSSON
- Unit of Physiotherapy, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping,Department of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Centre, Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping
| | - Caddie ZHOU
- Centre of Registries Västra Götaland, Gothenburg
| | - Ola ROLFSON
- Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
| | - Gunilla Limbäck SVENSSON
- Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg,BOA Registry, Centre of Registries, Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Pain Pharmacotherapy in a Large Cohort of Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Real-World Data Analysis. Rheumatol Ther 2021; 8:1129-1141. [PMID: 34106448 PMCID: PMC8380605 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-021-00329-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is limited evidence on the consumption of analgesics in real-world large cohorts of patients with osteoarthritis (OA), especially in those with comorbidities. We aimed to characterize the use of pharmacological analgesic treatments, evaluate standardized comorbidity rates, and assess treatment trends. Our hypotheses were: (1) OA patients generally consume low and inconsistent pharmacological analgesic treatments; (2) analgesic treatment is often non-congruent with comorbidity-related safety concerns. METHODS The study was carried out at the second largest health maintenance organization in Israel. Members aged 18 years or above who were diagnosed with OA before December 31, 2018, were included. Information was obtained from the members' electronic medical record (EMR) including data on dispensed prescriptions, which were used to estimate analgesic consumption. RESULTS A total of 180,126 OA patients were included in our analyses; analgesics were dispensed to 64.2% of the patients, with oral NSAIDs and opioids dispensed to 34.1 and 22.9% of the OA population, respectively. Analgesic use increased with time lapsed from OA diagnosis (p < 0.001), up to a median of 59 days covered (IQR, 20-175) after 21 years. Rates of most comorbidities in the OA population were higher compared to the MHS general population. Patients with comorbidities used more NSAIDs and opioids compared to those without them. CONCLUSIONS Most OA patients use analgesics, usually oral NSAIDs. Analgesic use remains relatively low throughout the years, indicating that many OA patients are not being treated pharmacologically for pain on a regular basis. Despite having higher rates of several comorbidities compared to MHS general population, many OA patients are still treated with analgesics that can be associated with a worsening in comorbidity.
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Summanen M, Ukkola-Vuoti L, Kurki S, Tuominen S, Madanat R. The burden of hip and knee osteoarthritis in Finnish occupational healthcare. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021; 22:501. [PMID: 34051771 PMCID: PMC8164770 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04372-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability and pain especially among older adults, but it is also known to affect working age individuals, often leading to reduced productivity and increased healthcare usage. The aim of this study was to determine the burden of hip and knee OA in Finnish occupational healthcare. METHODS This was a retrospective registry study utilizing the electronic medical records of the largest private and occupational healthcare provider in Finland. All consented patients with hip or knee OA were identified. A subcohort of occupational healthcare (OCH) patients was then compared to an age- and gender-matched control group without OA. Patient demographics including comorbidities were determined and healthcare contacts, medication prescriptions, and sick leaves were compared between the two groups. The study period was from January 1st, 2012 to April 30th, 2020. RESULTS 51,068 patients with hip or knee OA were identified (all OA cohort) and 35,109 of these formed the occupational healthcare subcohort. Most of the OA patients were female and belonged to the age group 50-59 years. The point prevalence of hip/knee OA at the end of the study period was 5.6% for the occupational healthcare subcohort. OA patients had 2.2 times more healthcare contacts and 2.8 times more overall sick leave days compared to the age- and gender-matched control cohort. Etoricoxib was the most commonly prescribed medication at OA-related visits (21.8% of patients). Opioids were prescribed to 10.6% of patients at OA-related visits and the most prescribed opioid was a combination of codeine and paracetamol (4.8% of patients). 5054 OA patients (14.4%) had a contraindication for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). CONCLUSIONS This retrospective registry study utilizing real-world data provides new evidence on the disease burden of hip or knee osteoarthritis from the electronic medical records of Finnish occupational healthcare customers. OA patients had more comorbidities, more healthcare contacts, more sick leave days, and more analgesic prescriptions compared to an age- and gender-matched control cohort without OA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samu Kurki
- Terveystalo Biobank Finland, Humalistonkatu 7B, 20100, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Rami Madanat
- Terveystalo Kamppi, Jaakonkatu 3, 00100, Helsinki, Finland
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Peat G, Thomas MJ. Osteoarthritis year in review 2020: epidemiology & therapy. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2021; 29:180-189. [PMID: 33242603 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
This personal choice of research themes and highlights from within the past year (1 May 2019 to 14 April 2020) spans descriptive, analytical-observational, and intervention studies. Descriptive estimates of the burden of osteoarthritis continue to underscore its position as a leading cause of disability worldwide, but whose burden is often felt greatest among disadvantaged and marginalised communities. Many of the major drivers of that burden are known but epidemiological studies continue the important work of elaborating on their timing, dose, specificity, and reversibility and placing them within an appropriate multi-level framework. A similar process of elaboration is seen also in studies (re-)estimating the relative benefits and risks of existing interventions, in some cases helping to identify low-value care, unwarranted variation, and initiating processes of deprescribing and decommissioning. Such research need not engender therapeutic nihilism. Our review closes by highlighting some emerging evidence on the efficacy and safety of novel therapeutic interventions and with a selective roll-call of methodological and meta-research in OA illustrating the continued commitment to improving research quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Peat
- Primary Care Centre Versus Arthritis, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK.
| | - M J Thomas
- Primary Care Centre Versus Arthritis, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK; Haywood Academic Rheumatology Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Haywood Hospital, Staffordshire, UK
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Non-Orthopedic Encounters Increase Opioid Exposure in Joint Osteoarthritis: A Single-Institution Analysis. J Arthroplasty 2020; 35:2386-2391. [PMID: 32444234 DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2020.04.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been little-to-no evidence to support the use of opioid analgesia as a treatment modality for osteoarthritis (OA). Chronic opioid use has been associated with peri-operative and post-operative complications with joint reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to compare opioid-prescribing habits for OA between orthopedic and non-orthopedic physicians to identify encounters that increase opioid exposure. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed on opioid-naive adult patients with outpatient opioid prescriptions for OA at a single academic institution between 2013 and 2018. Patients with prior surgery or opioid prescriptions were excluded. Independent t-tests and analysis of variance were used to compare prescription characteristics among providers. RESULTS A total of 9625 opioid prescriptions were identified. Non-orthopedic providers account for 92% of prescriptions vs 8% by orthopedic surgeons. The greatest number of prescriptions is written by Internal Medicine (37.1%) and Family Medicine physicians (36.0%). Non-orthopedic physicians prescribe a greater number of prescriptions per patient, dosages, and refills (P < .001 for all). Non-orthopedic encounters are associated with increased risk for prescription dosages ≥50 MME/d (odds ratio 5.81, 95% confidence interval 4.35-7.81, P < .001) and 90 MME/d (odds ratio 18.2, 95% confidence interval 4.43-35.70, P < .001). CONCLUSION The majority of opioid prescriptions for OA are written by non-orthopedic providers, with higher prescription rates, dosages, and more refills than orthopedic surgeons. OA is a common condition that will benefit from multi-disciplinary awareness to minimize unnecessary opioid exposure and reduce potential complications with joint arthroplasty.
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Are medical comorbidities contributing to the use of opioid analgesics in patients with knee osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2020; 28:1030-1037. [PMID: 32387761 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although opioid analgesics are not generally recommended for treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), they are frequently used. We sought to determine the association between medical comorbidities and self-reported opioid analgesic use in these patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study recruited patients referred to two provincial hip and knee clinics in Alberta, Canada for consideration of total knee arthroplasty. Standardized questionnaires assessed demographic (age, gender, income, education, social support, smoking status) and clinical (pain, function, total number of troublesome joints) characteristics, comorbid medical conditions, and non-surgical OA management participants had ever used or were currently using. Multivariable Poisson regression with robust estimate of the standard errors assessed the association between comorbid medical conditions and current opioid use, controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS 2,127 patients were included: mean age 65.4 (SD 9.1) years and 59.2% female. Currently used treatments for knee OA were: 57.6% exercise and/or physiotherapy, 61.1% NSAIDs, and 29.8% opioid analgesics. In multivariable regression, controlling for potential confounders, comorbid hypertension (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.37), gastrointestinal disease (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.07-1.60), depressed mood (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.05-1.48) and a higher number of troublesome joints (RR 1.04 per joint, 95% CI 1.00-1.09) were associated with opioid use, with no association found with having ever used recommended non-opioid pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatments. CONCLUSIONS In a large cohort of patients with knee OA, of 12 comorbidities assessed, comorbid hypertension, gastrointestinal disease, and depressed mood were associated with current use of opioid analgesics, in addition to total burden of troublesome joints. Improved guidance on the management of painful OA in the setting of common comorbidities is warranted.
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