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Moyo P, Merlin JS, Gairola R, Girard A, Shireman TI, Trivedi AN, Marshall BDL. Association of Opioid Use Disorder Diagnosis with Management of Acute Low Back Pain: A Medicare Retrospective Cohort Analysis. J Gen Intern Med 2024:10.1007/s11606-024-08799-3. [PMID: 38829451 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08799-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Practice guidelines recommend nonpharmacologic and nonopioid therapies as first-line pain treatment for acute pain. However, little is known about their utilization generally and among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) for whom opioid and other pharmacologic therapies carry greater risk of harm. OBJECTIVE To determine the association between a pre-existing OUD diagnosis and treatment of acute low back pain (aLBP). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using 2016-2019 Medicare data. PARTICIPANTS Fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with a new episode of aLBP. MAIN MEASURES The main independent variable was OUD diagnosis measured prior to the first LBP claim (i.e., index date). Using multivariable logistic regressions, we assessed the following outcomes measured within 30 days of the index date: (1) nonpharmacologic therapies (physical therapy and/or chiropractic care), and (2) prescription opioids. Among opioid recipients, we further assessed opioid dose and co-prescription of gabapentin. Analyses were conducted overall and stratified by receipt of physical therapy, chiropractic care, opioid fills, or gabapentin fills during the 6 months before the index date. KEY RESULTS We identified 1,263,188 beneficiaries with aLBP, of whom 3.0% had OUD. Two-thirds (65.8%) did not receive pain treatments of interest at baseline. Overall, nonpharmacologic therapy receipt was less prevalent and opioid and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies were more common among beneficiaries with OUD than those without OUD. Beneficiaries with OUD had lower odds of receiving nonpharmacologic therapies (aOR = 0.62, 99%CI = 0.58-0.65) and higher odds of prescription opioid receipt (aOR = 2.24, 99%CI = 2.17-2.32). OUD also was significantly associated with increased odds of opioid doses ≥ 90 morphine milligram equivalents/day (aOR = 2.43, 99%CI = 2.30-2.56) and co-prescription of gabapentin (aOR = 1.15, 99%CI = 1.09-1.22). Similar associations were observed in stratified groups though magnitudes differed. CONCLUSIONS Medicare beneficiaries with aLBP and OUD underutilized nonpharmacologic pain therapies and commonly received opioids at high doses and with gabapentin. Complementing the promulgation of practice guidelines with implementation science could improve the uptake of evidence-based nonpharmacologic therapies for aLBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patience Moyo
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Jessica S Merlin
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Challenges in Managing and Preventing Pain Clinical Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Richa Gairola
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Anthony Girard
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Theresa I Shireman
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Amal N Trivedi
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Brandon D L Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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Keshwani S, Smith SM, Brown J, Lo-Ciganic WH, Yang S, Smolinski NE, Hincapie-Castillo JM. Trends in Prescribing of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medications in the US Ambulatory Care Setting From 2006 to 2016. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1994-2002. [PMID: 37330160 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
While opioid prescribing has significantly decreased from a peak in 2012, less is known about the national utilization of non-opioid analgesics such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (APAP) in the context of the opioid crisis. The objective of this study is to characterize the prescribing trends of NSAIDs and APAP in the US ambulatory care setting. We conducted repeated cross-sectional analyses using the 2006-2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. NSAID-involved visits were defined as patient visits among adults in which NSAIDs were ordered, supplied, administered, or continued. We used similarly-defined APAP visits as a referent group for context. After excluding aspirin and other NSAID/APAP combination products containing opioids, we calculated the annual proportion of NSAID-involved visits among all ambulatory visits. We conducted trend analyses using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for years, patient, and prescriber characteristics. From 2006 to 2016, there were 775.7 million NSAID-involved visits and 204.3 million APAP-involved visits. Most NSAIDs-involved visits were from patients aged 46-64 years (39.6%), female (60.4%), White (83.2%), and having commercial insurance (49.0%). There were significant increasing trends for the proportion of NSAID-involved visits (8.1-9.6%) and APAP-involved visits (1.7-2.9%) (both P < .0001). We observed an overall increase in NSAID and APAP-involved visits in US ambulatory care settings from 2006 to 2016. This trend may be attributed to decreasing opioid prescribing and raises safety concerns related to acute or chronic NSAID and APAP use. PERSPECTIVE: This study shows an overall increasing trend in NSAID use reported in nationally representative ambulatory care visits in the United States. This increase coincides with previously reported significant decreases in opioid analgesic use, particularly after 2012. Given the safety concerns related to chronic or acute NSAID use, there is a need to continue monitoring the use trends of this class of medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailina Keshwani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Steven M Smith
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Joshua Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Wei-Hsuan Lo-Ciganic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Seonkyeong Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Nicole E Smolinski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Juan M Hincapie-Castillo
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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Zajacova A, Pereira Filho A, Limani M, Grol-Prokopczyk H, Zimmer Z, Scherbakov D, Fillingim RB, Hayward MD, Gilron I, Macfarlane GJ. Self-Reported Pain Treatment Practices Among U.S. and Canadian Adults: Findings From a Population Survey. Innov Aging 2023; 7:igad103. [PMID: 38094928 PMCID: PMC10714903 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Pain treatments and their efficacy have been studied extensively. Yet surprisingly little is known about the types of treatments, and combinations of treatments, that community-dwelling adults use to manage pain, as well as how treatment types are associated with individual characteristics and national-level context. To fill this gap, we evaluated self-reported pain treatment types among community-dwelling adults in the United States and Canada. We also assessed how treatment types correlate with individuals' pain levels, sociodemographic characteristics, and country of residence, and identified unique clusters of adults in terms of treatment combinations. Research Design and Methods We used the 2020 "Recovery and Resilience" United States-Canada general online survey with 2 041 U.S. and 2 072 Canadian community-dwelling adults. Respondents selected up to 10 pain treatment options including medication, physical therapy, exercise, etc., and an open-ended item was available for self-report of any additional treatments. Data were analyzed using descriptive, regression-based, and latent class analyses. Results Over-the-counter (OTC) medication was reported most frequently (by 55% of respondents, 95% CI 53%-56%), followed by "just living with pain" (41%, 95% CI 40%-43%) and exercise (40%, 95% CI 38%-41%). The modal response (29%) to the open-ended item was cannabis use. Pain was the most salient correlate, predicting a greater frequency of all pain treatments. Country differences were generally small; a notable exception was alcohol use, which was reported twice as often among U.S. versus Canadian adults. Individuals were grouped into 5 distinct clusters: 2 groups relied predominantly on medication (prescription or OTC), another favored exercise and other self-care approaches, one included adults "just living with" pain, and the cluster with the highest pain levels employed all modalities heavily. Discussion and Implications Our findings provide new insights into recent pain treatment strategies among North American adults and identify population subgroups with potentially unmet need for more adaptive and effective pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zajacova
- Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alvaro Pereira Filho
- Department of Political Science, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Merita Limani
- Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk
- Department of Sociology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Zachary Zimmer
- Department of Family Studies and Gerontology, Global Aging and Community Initiative, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Dmitry Scherbakov
- Integrative Pain Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Roger B Fillingim
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mark D Hayward
- Department of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Ian Gilron
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary J Macfarlane
- Department of Epidemiology, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Sood A, Kuo YF, Westra J, Sharma G, Raji MA. Co-prescribing of Central Nervous System-Active Medications for COPD Patients: Impact on Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalization. Ann Pharmacother 2023; 57:382-396. [PMID: 35942598 PMCID: PMC10508332 DOI: 10.1177/10600280221113299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety and chronic pain are common comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which are frequently managed with benzodiazepines (BZDs) and opioids, respectively. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether different combinations of opioids, BZD, and their substitutes-gabapentinoids (GABA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs/SNRIs)-are associated with lower risk of acute respiratory events in COPD patients with co-occurring chronic pain and anxiety. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries with COPD, chronic pain, and anxiety. Patients were grouped based on drug combination (opioid + BZD/Z-hypnotics, opioid + GABA, opioid + SSRI/SNRI, BZD/Z-hypnotics + GABA, BZD/Z-hypnotics + SSRI/SNRI, GABA + SSRI/SNRI, or ≥3 drugs). The primary outcome was emergency room (ER) visit or hospitalization due to acute respiratory events assessed up to 180 days following initiation of drug combination. Overdose secondary to central nervous system (CNS)-related drugs was also assessed up to 180 days following initiation of drug combination. RESULTS The drug combination opioid + GABA was associated with decreased risk for ER visit (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.61-0.87) and hospitalization (HR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.55-0.85). Opioid + SSRI/SNRI also showed decreased risk for ER visit (HR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.71-0.99). There was no significant difference in risk for CNS-related drug overdose among different drug combinations compared with opioid + BZD/Z-hypnotics. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Opioids in combination with GABA and SSRI/SNRI demonstrate relatively lower risk for acute respiratory events among patients with COPD and comorbid chronic pain and anxiety. The findings emphasize the need for multimodal management in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Sood
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-01777
| | - Yong-Fang Kuo
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-01777
| | - Jordan Westra
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-01777
| | - Gulshan Sharma
- Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-01777
| | - Mukaila A. Raji
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-01777
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Casagrande SS, Beccera AZ, Rust KF, Cowie CC. Opioid prescription and diabetes among Medicare beneficiaries. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2023; 196:110240. [PMID: 36610545 PMCID: PMC9974602 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110240] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To determine the prevalence of opioid prescriptions among U.S. Medicare beneficiaries by diabetes status, and predictors of opioid prescription among those with diabetes. METHODS This retrospective study used claims data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services among beneficiaries age ≥ 65 years who were continuously enrolled in Part A, Part B, and Part D Medicare between 2017 and 2019 (N = 709,374). Logistic regression was used to determine the odds of opioid prescription among those with vs without diabetes; and, among those with diabetes, significant predictors of opioid prescription. RESULTS Overall, the prevalence of any opioid prescription was 30.8 % among persons with diabetes and 24.2 % in those without diabetes (p < 0.001); chronic use was 8.0 % and 7.4 %, respectively (p < 0.001). Those with diabetes had a 45 % higher odds of having an opioid prescription compared to those without diabetes after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics (OR = 1.45, 1.44-1.47). After adjustment for comorbidities/complications, the association reversed (OR = 0.83, 0.82-0.84). Persons with diabetes who had hypertension, obesity, CVD, neuropathy, amputation, liver disease, COPD, cancer, osteoporosis, depression, or alcohol/drug abuse had a 20 %-140 % higher odds of opioid prescription compared to those without these conditions. CONCLUSIONS Comorbidities and complications accounted for the higher odds of opioid prescriptions among those with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Casagrande
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., Department of Health Services Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States.
| | - Adan Z Beccera
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., Department of Health Services Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States; Rush University, Department of Surgery, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Catherine C Cowie
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Williams CD, Al-Jammali Z, Herink MC. Gabapentinoids for Pain: A Review of Published Comparative Effectiveness Trials and Data Submitted to the FDA for Approval. Drugs 2023; 83:37-53. [PMID: 36529848 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-022-01810-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Use of the gabapentinoids for pain continues to increase. In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strengthened the warnings for both gabapentin and pregabalin to emphasize the central nervous system side effects and the risk of respiratory depression, especially when combined with other centrally acting drugs. We reviewed the published comparative effectiveness literature for gabapentinoids for pain as well as all trials (published and unpublished) used by the FDA for the approval of the five pain indications for these agents (one for gabapentin, four for pregabalin). Among the findings of interest are the fact that the FDA rejected the application for gabapentin for diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on the risk versus benefit profile of that drug in the clinical trials that were submitted by the manufacturer. Additionally, both the comparative effectiveness trials as well as the studies used by the FDA tend to be short in duration and show only modest pain benefits for the gabapentinoids. The placebo response in these trials was frequently one-third to one-half as great as the pain benefit demonstrated by the gabapentinoid. Based on the available clinical trial evidence, we feel prescribers should be cautious when using gabapentinoids for pain, particularly when using these agents for a prolonged period or when combined with other, centrally acting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Williams
- Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, 2730 SW Moody Ave., CL5CP, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Z Al-Jammali
- Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, 2730 SW Moody Ave., CL5CP, Portland, OR, USA
| | - M C Herink
- Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, 2730 SW Moody Ave., CL5CP, Portland, OR, USA
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Shimazui T, Kitamura N, Kako K, Iwase S, Suzuki T, Hoshino S, Futagami H, Kibayashi K, Nakao KI. High-flow continuous hemodiafiltration successfully decreased blood pregabalin levels in a patient with severe pregabalin intoxication: a case report. RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s41100-022-00449-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Severe pregabalin intoxication may cause serious symptoms, such as coma. Since pregabalin is a small molecule with no protein binding sites and has low volume of distribution, hemodialysis can be effective in eliminating pregabalin from the blood. However, in cases of emergency, it is not always possible to perform hemodialysis because of limited availability and time delay associated with using the plumbing equipment. Continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) can be performed without plumbing equipment; however, the knowledge on the effectiveness of CHDF in pregabalin elimination is insufficient.
Case presentation
A septuagenarian woman with normal renal function was found in a collapsed state with symptoms of coma and miosis. Empty medical bags of pregabalin (2350 mg), bepotastine besilate (600 mg), celecoxib (4600 mg), quetiapine fumarate (87.5 mg), clotiazepam (180 mg), and teprenone (50 mg) were found around her. During the patient's transfer to our hospital, her cognition worsened and she developed glossoptosis necessitating her emergent intubation upon arrival. We considered that the coma was mainly caused by pregabalin intoxication and were concerned about the consequent critical comorbidities. Thus, we performed CHDF in a high-flow setting in our intensive care unit for pregabalin elimination. After 8 h of CHDF, the patient regained consciousness, and after 6.5 h we extubated her. At a later date, we measured her serum pregabalin levels during the clinical course and estimated the blood pregabalin clearance levels depending on her metabolism as 76.8 mL/min and depending on CHDF itself as 65.1 mL/min. Based on these findings, we concluded that CHDF contributed to reducing blood pregabalin levels in this patient.
Conclusions
Our case revealed that pregabalin clearance using CHDF is similar to metabolic clearance in patients with normal renal function, indicating that CHDF decreases blood pregabalin levels and can be a potential treatment for severe pregabalin intoxication.
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Exploring the Relationship Between Endogenous Pain Modulation, Pain Intensity, and Depression in Patients Using Opioids for Chronic Low Back Pain. Clin J Pain 2022; 38:595-600. [PMID: 36108108 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endogenous pain modulatory processes appear to play an important role in shaping pain-related outcomes, but we know relatively little about the influence of psychosocial factors on those pain modulatory processes. The primary objective of this study was to explore associations between endogenous pain modulation (ie, conditioned pain modulation, CPM; temporal summation, TS), chronic pain, and negative affective factors (ie, depression, anxiety symptoms) in a sample of participants with chronic low back pain (CLBP) treated with long-term daily opioids. METHODS Adults with opioid-treated CLBP (N=107) completed questionnaires assessing pain, pain symptoms, and psychological measures. CPM and TS were evaluated as predictors of pain intensity ratings (Brief Pain Inventory), with depression scores (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, depression subscale) examined as potential moderators of those associations. RESULTS Moderation analyses demonstrated associations between CPM and back pain intensity ratings, moderated by depression symptom scores (B=-0.002, SE=0.0008, P<0.01) when controlling for daily opioid dose, with participants with higher depression scores showing a relatively stronger link between lower CPM and increased pain intensity ratings. Significant associations were observed between depression, pain intensity, and CPM-derived outcomes. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that reduced pain-inhibitory capacity is associated with elevated self-reported pain intensity in adults with opioid-treated CLBP, particularly among those with higher severity of depression symptoms.
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