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Sani AR, Zin CS. Factors Associated with an Increased Risk of Opioid Misuse Among Patients with Non-Cancer Pain in Malaysian Pain Clinic Settings. J Psychoactive Drugs 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39101200 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2387602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the factors associated with a high risk of opioid misuse among patients receiving opioid treatment for their non-cancer pain in Malaysian pain clinics. The Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R), a validated instrument for predicting the risk of aberrant drug-related behaviors, were used as a proxy to indicate risk of opioid misuse. Data analysis was stratified into high-risk and low-risk patient groups. Patient factors assessed included pain intensity, pain interference with daily activities, and health-related quality of life. Prescription opioid exposure was examined via patient medical and prescription records review. Among the 61 patients recruited, 62.3% scored ≥18 on the SOAPP-R, which indicates a high risk for opioid misuse. Factors associated with a high risk of opioid misuse were found to be high level of pain interference with daily activities, poorer mental health, and younger age. High-risk patients were found to be prescribed a lower mean daily opioid dose of <20 mg/day compared to low-risk patients (20-49 mg/day). This highlights the need for further research to distinguish aberrant drug-related behaviors due to inadequate pain management from that of actual prescription opioid misuse among non-cancer pain patients attending pain clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asween R Sani
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Basic Health Sciences & Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University College MAIWP International (UCMI), Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Che Suraya Zin
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
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2
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Goetschi AN, Verloo H, Wernli B, Wertli MM, Meyer-Massetti C. Prescribing pattern insights from a longitudinal study of older adult inpatients with polypharmacy and chronic non-cancer pain. Eur J Pain 2024. [PMID: 38838067 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study sought to determine the prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) among older adult inpatients with polypharmacy. It also aimed to analyse prescription patterns and assess the therapy adequacy and patient complexity for those with and without CNCP. METHODS This 4-year longitudinal study examined data from an exhaustive acute care hospital register on home-dwelling older adult patients (≥65) with polypharmacy. Commonly known combinations of potentially inappropriate medications were used to estimate therapy adequacy. Patient complexity was evaluated by comparing number of comorbidities and investigating physical and cognitive deficits. RESULTS We determined a prevalence of CNCP of 9.7% among all older adult inpatients with polypharmacy, rising to 11.3% for those aged ≥85. Overall, CNCP patients were prescribed more drugs and had more comorbidities and physical and cognitive deficits than patients without CNCP. Older adult patients with CNCP received more analgesics, greater quantities of opioids, paracetamol and co-analgesics and elevated opioid dosages. Older adult patients with CNCP aged ≥85 received fewer analgesics, opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and co-analgesics but more paracetamol. Older adult patients with CNCP were prescribed more potentially inappropriate medications involving opioids. In particular, 24.5% received an opioid and a hypnotic (benzodiazepine or Z-drug), and 8.6% received an opioid and a gabapentinoid. CONCLUSION Observed differences in medication use between older adult inpatients with or without CNCP may be relevant for clinical practice. Potentially inadequate co-prescribing (such as hypnotics and opioids) affects a higher proportion of patients with CNCP and may have serious unintended consequences. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study describes differences in prescription patterns between people with and without chronic non-cancer pain in a large dataset of 20,422 discharges. The differences found may be relevant to clinical practice. In particular, high co-prescribing of opioids and hypnotics may have serious unintended consequences. Greater physical and cognitive deficits may indicate greater patient complexity, and appropriate interventions need to be developed to improve the management of this vulnerable patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljoscha N Goetschi
- General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Henk Verloo
- School of Health Sciences, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Sion, Switzerland
- Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Prilly, Switzerland
| | - Boris Wernli
- Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria M Wertli
- General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Carla Meyer-Massetti
- General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Axson SA, Becker WC, Merlin JS, Lorenz KA, Midboe AM, C Black A. Long-term opioid therapy trajectories in veteran patients with and without substance use disorder. Addict Behav 2024; 153:107997. [PMID: 38442438 PMCID: PMC11080947 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sydney A Axson
- Health Services Research & Development, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; The National Clinician Scholars Program, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, USA; Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Nursing Sciences Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - William C Becker
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, USA; Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Jessica S Merlin
- CHAllenges in Managing and Preventing Pain (CHAMPP) Clinical Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Karl A Lorenz
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Amanda M Midboe
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| | - Anne C Black
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, USA; Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
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Mudumbai SC, He H, Chen JQ, Kapoor A, Regala S, Mariano ER, Stafford RS, Abnet CC, Pfeiffer RM, Freedman ND, Etemadi A. Opioid use in cancer patients compared with noncancer pain patients in a veteran population. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2024; 8:pkae012. [PMID: 38457606 PMCID: PMC11009465 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid safety initiatives may secondarily impact opioid prescribing and pain outcomes for cancer care. METHODS We reviewed electronic health record data at a tertiary Veterans Affairs system (VA Palo Alto) for all patients from 2015 to 2021. We collected outpatient Schedule II opioid prescriptions data and calculated morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conversion formulas. To determine the clinical impact of changes in opioid prescription, we used the highest level of pain reported by each patient on the 0-to-10 Numeric Rating Scale in each year, categorized into mild (0-3), moderate (4-6), and severe (7 and above). RESULTS Among 89 569 patients, 9073 had a cancer diagnosis. Cancer patients were almost twice as likely to have an opioid prescription compared with noncancer patients (69.0% vs 36.7%, respectively). The proportion of patients who received an opioid prescription decreased from 27.1% to 18.1% (trend P < .01) in cancer patients and from 17.0% to 10.2% in noncancer patients (trend P < .01). Cancer and noncancer patients had similar declines of MMEs per year between 2015 and 2019, but the decline was more rapid for cancer patients (1462.5 to 946.4, 35.3%) compared with noncancer patients (1315.6 to 927.7, 29.5%) from 2019 to 2021. During the study period, the proportion of noncancer patients who experienced severe pain was almost unchanged, whereas it increased among cancer patients, reaching a significantly higher rate than among noncancer patients in 2021 (31.9% vs 27.4%, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest potential unintended consequences for cancer care because of efforts to manage opioid-related risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seshadri C Mudumbai
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Han He
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ji-Qing Chen
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aditi Kapoor
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Samantha Regala
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Edward R Mariano
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Randall S Stafford
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christian C Abnet
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ruth M Pfeiffer
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Neal D Freedman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arash Etemadi
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Turner AP, Arewasikporn A, Hawkins EJ, Suri P, Burns SP, Leipertz SL, Haselkorn JK. Risk Factors for Chronic Prescription Opioid Use in Multiple Sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2023; 104:1850-1856. [PMID: 37137460 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize patterns of prescription opioid use among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and identify risk factors associated with chronic use. DESIGN Retrospective longitudinal cohort study examining US Department of Veterans Affairs electronic medical record data of Veterans with MS. The annual prevalence of prescription opioid use by type (any, acute, chronic, incident chronic) was calculated for each study year (2015-2017). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographics and medical, mental health, and substance use comorbidities in 2015-2016 associated with chronic prescription opioid use in 2017. SETTING US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran's Health Administration. PARTICIPANTS National sample of Veterans with MS (N=14,974). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Chronic prescription opioid use (≥90 days). RESULTS All types of prescription opioid use declined across the 3 study years (chronic opioid use prevalence=14.6%, 14.0%, and 12.2%, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression, prior chronic opioid use, history of pain condition, paraplegia or hemiplegia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and rural residence were associated with greater risk of chronic prescription opioid use. History of dementia and psychotic disorder were both associated with lower risk of chronic prescription opioid use. CONCLUSION Despite reductions over time, chronic prescription opioid use remains common among a substantial minority of Veterans with MS and is associated with multiple biopsychosocial factors that are important for understanding risk for long-term use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P Turner
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; VA MS Center of Excellence West, Seattle, WA; Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, Seattle, WA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
| | | | - Eric J Hawkins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, Seattle, WA; Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D), Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Seattle, WA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Pradeep Suri
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Clinical Learning, Evidence, and Research Center (CLEAR), University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Stephen P Burns
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Steve L Leipertz
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; VA MS Center of Excellence West, Seattle, WA
| | - Jodie K Haselkorn
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; VA MS Center of Excellence West, Seattle, WA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Wang K, Fenton BT, Skanderson M, Black AC, Becker WC, Seng EK, Anthony SE, Guirguis AB, Altalib HH, Kimber A, Lorenze N, Scholten JD, Graham GD, Sandbrink F, Sico JJ. Changes in opioid prescribing in veterans with headache during the COVID-19 pandemic: A regression discontinuity in time analysis. Headache 2023; 63:1295-1303. [PMID: 37596904 DOI: 10.1111/head.14605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine changes in opioid prescribing among veterans with headaches during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by comparing the stay-at-home phase (March 15 to May 30, 2020) and the reopening phase (May 31 to December 31, 2020). BACKGROUND Opioid prescribing for chronic pain has declined substantially since 2016; however, changes in opioid prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic among veterans with headaches remain unknown. METHODS This retrospective cohort study utilized regression discontinuity in time and difference-in-differences design to analyze veterans aged ≥18 years with a previous diagnosis of headache disorders and an outpatient visit to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) during the study period. We measured the weekly number of opioid prescriptions, the number of days supplied, the daily dose in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), and the number of prescriptions with ≥50 morphine equivalent daily doses (MEDD). RESULTS A total of 81,376 veterans were analyzed with 589,950 opioid prescriptions. The mean (SD) age was 51.6 (13.5) years, 57,242 (70.3%) were male, and 53,464 (65.7%) were White. During the pre-pandemic period, 323.6 opioid prescriptions (interquartile range 292.1-325.8) were dispensed weekly, with an median (IQR) of 24.1 (24.0-24.4) days supplied and 31.8 (31.2-32.5) MMEs. Transition to stay-at-home was associated with a 7.7% decrease in the number of prescriptions (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.077, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.866-0.984) and a 9.8% increase in days supplied (IRR 1.098, 95% CI 1.078-1.119). Similar trends were observed during the reopening period. Subgroup analysis among veterans on long-term opioid therapy also revealed 1.7% and 1.4% increases in days supplied during the stay-at-home (IRR 1.017, 95% CI 1.009-1.025) and reopening phase (IRR 1.014, 95% CI 1.007-1.021); however, changes in the total number of prescriptions, MME/day, or the number of prescriptions >50 MEDD were insignificant. CONCLUSION Prescription opioid access was maintained for veterans within VHA during the pandemic. The de-escalation of opioid prescribing observed prior to the pandemic was not seen in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaicheng Wang
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Analytic Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brenda T Fenton
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-morbidities, and Education Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Melissa Skanderson
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anne C Black
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-morbidities, and Education Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - William C Becker
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-morbidities, and Education Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Elizabeth K Seng
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Sarah E Anthony
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Hamada H Altalib
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Addison Kimber
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nancy Lorenze
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joel D Scholten
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Washington DC VA Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Glenn D Graham
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Friedhelm Sandbrink
- Pain Management Specialty Services, Washington DC VA Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jason J Sico
- Research, Education, Evaluation and Engagement Activities Center for Headache, Headache Centers of Excellence, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Essien-Aleksi IE, Zhang Y, Koren A, Palacios N, Falcon LM, Tucker KL. Sociocultural factors associated with persistent prescription opioid use (PPOU) among Puerto Rican adults in Massachusetts. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290104. [PMID: 37607191 PMCID: PMC10443880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing numbers of opioid-overdose deaths have been witnessed among Hispanics and other underserved populations in Massachusetts. Puerto Rican adults (PRs) have a disproportionately higher prevalence of chronic diseases than non-Hispanic White adults-conditions linked to increased prescription opioid use and misuse. Stress indicators, including low acculturation, low social support, and perceived discrimination, have been recognized as correlates of chronic diseases. However, little research has been undertaken on how these socio-cultural factors relate to persistent prescription opioid use among PRs. This study evaluated the prevalence of prescription opioid use and socio-cultural factors associated with persistent prescription opioid use among PRs. METHODS Data from the prospective population-based Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, at baseline, ~2-year, and ~ 6-year follow-up, were used to estimate prescription opioid use prevalence and its associations with acculturation, social support, and perceived discrimination. Analyses were conducted using multivariable binary logistic regression modeling. RESULTS The study sample was comprised of 798 PRs (age 56.5 ± 7.5y) with data at all three-time points. A high prevalence of prescription opioid use was observed and was associated with lower household income. PRs with experiences of perceived discrimination had higher odds of persistent prescription opioid use (y/n; OR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.46-5.58). No significant associations were found between acculturation, social support, and persistent prescription opioid use. CONCLUSION Our study reported a high prevalence of prescription opioid use in PRs, with persistent prescription opioid use significantly associated with perceived discrimination. Future programs to limit discrimination practices may reduce persistent prescription opioid use and opioid-related complications among PRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inyene E. Essien-Aleksi
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ainat Koren
- Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Natalia Palacios
- Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Luis M. Falcon
- College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katherine L. Tucker
- Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Zaman T, Bravata DM, Byers AL, Krebs EE, Leonard SJ, Sandbrink F, Barker W, Keyhani S. A national population-based study of cannabis use and correlates among U.S. veterans prescribed opioids in primary care. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:177. [PMID: 36927526 PMCID: PMC10021973 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is marketed as a treatment for pain. There is limited data on the prevalence of cannabis use and its correlates among Veterans prescribed opioids. OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use among Veterans prescribed opioids. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS Veterans with a urine drug test (UDT) from Primary Care 2014-2018, in 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. A total of 1,182,779 patients were identified with an opioid prescription within 90 days prior to UDT. MAIN MEASURES Annual prevalence of cannabis positive UDT by state. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations of demographic factors, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and pain diagnoses with cannabis positive UDT. RESULTS Annual prevalence of cannabis positive UDT ranged from 8.5% to 9.7% during the study period, and in 2018 was 18.15% in Washington, D.C. and 10 states with legalized medical and recreational cannabis, 6.1% in Puerto Rico and 25 states with legalized medical cannabis, and 4.5% in non-legal states. Younger age, male sex, being unmarried, and marginal housing were associated with use (p < 0.001). Post-traumatic stress disorder (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.22, p < 0.001), opioid use disorder (AOR 1.14; CI 1.07-1.22, p < 0.001), alcohol use disorder or positive AUDIT-C (AOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.28-1.39, p < 0.001), smoking (AOR 2.58; 95% CI 2.49-2.66, p < 0.001), and other drug use disorders (AOR 1.15; 95% CI 1.03-1.29, p = 0.02) were associated with cannabis use. Positive UDT for amphetamines AOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.26-1.58, p < 0.001), benzodiazepines (AOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.31-1.51, p < 0.001) and cocaine (AOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.75-2.36, p < 0.001) were associated with cannabis positive UDT. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use among Veterans prescribed opioids varied by state and by legalization status. Veterans with PTSD and substance use disorders were more likely to have cannabis positive UDT. Opioid-prescribed Veterans using cannabis may benefit from screening for these conditions, referral to treatment, and attention to opioid safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauheed Zaman
- Addiction Recovery and Treatments Services, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Dawn M Bravata
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Amy L Byers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Samuel J Leonard
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Friedhelm Sandbrink
- National Pain Management, Opioid Safety and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Neurology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Wylie Barker
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Salomeh Keyhani
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Toikumo S, Vickers-Smith R, Jinwala Z, Xu H, Saini D, Hartwell E, Venegas MP, Sullivan KA, Xu K, Jacobson DA, Gelernter J, Rentsch CT, Stahl E, Cheatle M, Zhou H, Waxman SG, Justice AC, Kember RL, Kranzler HR. The genetic architecture of pain intensity in a sample of 598,339 U.S. veterans. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.03.09.23286958. [PMID: 36993749 PMCID: PMC10055465 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.09.23286958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a common problem, with more than one-fifth of adult Americans reporting pain daily or on most days. It adversely affects quality of life and imposes substantial personal and economic costs. Efforts to treat chronic pain using opioids played a central role in precipitating the opioid crisis. Despite an estimated heritability of 25-50%, the genetic architecture of chronic pain is not well characterized, in part because studies have largely been limited to samples of European ancestry. To help address this knowledge gap, we conducted a cross-ancestry meta-analysis of pain intensity in 598,339 participants in the Million Veteran Program, which identified 125 independent genetic loci, 82 of which are novel. Pain intensity was genetically correlated with other pain phenotypes, level of substance use and substance use disorders, other psychiatric traits, education level, and cognitive traits. Integration of the GWAS findings with functional genomics data shows enrichment for putatively causal genes (n = 142) and proteins (n = 14) expressed in brain tissues, specifically in GABAergic neurons. Drug repurposing analysis identified anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers, among other drug groups, as having potential analgesic effects. Our results provide insights into key molecular contributors to the experience of pain and highlight attractive drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvanus Toikumo
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Vickers-Smith
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health; Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Zeal Jinwala
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heng Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Divya Saini
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily Hartwell
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mirko P. Venegas
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Kyle A. Sullivan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Ke Xu
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Joel Gelernter
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christopher T. Rentsch
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Eli Stahl
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - Martin Cheatle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hang Zhou
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephen G. Waxman
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Amy C. Justice
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rachel L. Kember
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry R. Kranzler
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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10
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Hayes CJ, Koonce RM, Gressler LE, Hu B, Williams JS, Martin BC. Association between opioid therapy trajectories and potential opioid-related adverse health events. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2022; 31:1075-1090. [PMID: 35695189 PMCID: PMC10052807 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We identified associations between membership in seven group-based trajectories based on supply of filled opioid prescriptions and potential opioid-related adverse health events over a 720-day window. METHODS We identified two veteran cohorts with chronic non-cancer pain who initiated treatment with long-term opioid therapy between 2008 and 2015, excluding those with prior substance use disorder (n = 373 941) or non-SUD, opioid-related adverse outcome (n = 405 631) diagnoses. Outcomes of interest included opioid use disorder, non-opioid drug use disorder, and alcohol use disorder for the first cohort; or accidents resulting in wounds or injuries, self-inflicted injuries, opioid-related accidents and overdoses, alcohol and non-opioid drug-related accidents and overdoses, and violence-related injuries for the second cohort. Using a cross-sectional design, Veterans were followed until the specific outcome of interest was diagnosed, they died, the study ended, or they were lost to follow up. Accelerated failure time models were estimated for each outcome. RESULTS Membership in persistent moderate days covered and persistent modest days covered trajectories was associated with decreased risk of opioid use disorder (Moderate: θ = 0.59, 95%CI:0.54, 0.64; Modest: θ = 0.54, 95%CI:0.50, 0.59) and opioid overdose (Moderate: θ = 0.67,95%CI: 0.57, 0.79; Modest: θ = 0.72, 95%CI:0.61, 0.85) versus higher-utilizing persistent users. Rapid discontinuation was associated with decreased risk of opioid use disorder (θ = 0.86, 95% CI:0.77, 0.95) and opioid overdose (θ = 0.54, 95%CI:0.41, 0.71), but increased risk of alcohol use disorder (θ = 1.07, 95%CI:1.00, 1.15) and other substance use disorders. Delayed discontinuation or delayed reduction was associated with increased risk for most opioid related adverse health events. CONCLUSION Persistent use trajectories with low levels of opioid utilization were associated with lower risks of potential opioid-related adverse health events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Hayes
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Ruston M Koonce
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Laura Elisabeth Gressler
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Bo Hu
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - James Silas Williams
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Bradley C Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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11
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Hayes CJ, Krebs EE, Li C, Brown J, Hudson T, Martin BC. Association between discontinuing chronic opioid therapy and newly diagnosed substance use disorders, accidents, self-inflicted injuries and drug overdoses within the prescribers' health care system: a retrospective cohort study. Addiction 2022; 117:946-968. [PMID: 34514677 PMCID: PMC8904270 DOI: 10.1111/add.15689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Prescribers are commonly confronted with discontinuing opioid therapy among patients prescribed chronic opioid therapy (COT). This study aimed to measure the association between discontinuing COT and diagnoses of substance use disorders (SUDs) and opioid-related adverse outcomes (AOs). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING United States Veterans Healthcare Administration. PARTICIPANTS Veterans with chronic pain on COT who discontinued opioid therapy were compared with those continuing COT using data from fiscal years 2009 to 2015. MEASUREMENTS Newly diagnosed substance use disorders (SUD composite; individual types: opioid, non-opioid drug and alcohol use disorders) and opioid-related adverse outcomes (AO composite; individual types: accidents resulting in wounds/injuries, opioid-related accidents/overdoses, alcohol and non-opioid medication-related accidents/overdoses, self-inflicted injuries and violence-related injuries) were evaluated. Primary analyses were conducted using 1:1 matching of discontinuers with those continuing COT based on propensity score and index date (±180-day window). Sensitivity analyses were conducted using logistic regressions with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) and instrumental variable (IV) models. FINDINGS A total of 15 695 (75.4%) and 17 337 (76.6%) discontinuers were matched with those continuing COT among the cohorts testing SUD and AO development respectively. In the primary propensity score matched analyses, the composite SUD outcome was not different between discontinuers and those continuing COT (OR = 0.932, 95% CI = 0.850, 1.022). The composite AO outcome was lower among discontinuers (OR = 0.660, 95% CI = 0.623, 0.699) compared with those continuing COT. SIPTW analyses found lower SUD (OR = 0.789, 95% CI = 0.743, 0.837), and AO (OR = 0.660, 95% CI = 0.623, 0.699) rates among discontinuers. IV models found mixed and sometimes contradictory results. CONCLUSIONS Discontinuing patients from chronic opioid therapy appears to be associated with decreased diagnoses for opioid-related adverse outcomes. The association with substance use disorders appears to be inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J. Hayes
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
| | - Erin E. Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School
| | - Chenghui Li
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Joshua Brown
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida
| | - Teresa Hudson
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
| | - Bradley C. Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Corresponding Author: , Phone: (501) 603-1992
- Fax: (501) 686-5156
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12
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Drug-drug-gene interaction risk among opioid users in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Pain 2022; 163:2390-2397. [PMID: 35319502 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Response to analgesic therapy is influenced by several factors including genetics and drug-drug interactions. Pharmacogenetic (PGx) variants in the CYP2D6 gene modify response to opioids by altering drug metabolism. We sought to determine the potential impact of PGx testing on the care of Veterans with noncancer pain prescribed opioids metabolized by CYP2D6 (codeine, hydrocodone, or tramadol). A retrospective analysis was performed within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) evaluating prescription records for pain medications metabolized by CYP2D6 and interacting drugs from 2012-2017. Among 2,436,654 VHA pharmacy users with at least one opioid prescription, 34% met the definition of chronic use (longer than 90 days with more than 10 prescriptions or 120 days- supply). Opioids were commonly co-prescribed with antidepressants interacting with CYP2D6 (28%). An estimated 21.6% (n=526,905) of these patients are at elevated risk of an undesirable response to their opioid medication based on predicted phenotypes and drug-drug interactions: 3.5% are predicted CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers and at increased risk for toxicity, 5.4% are poor metabolizer at higher risk for nonresponse, and 12.8% are normal or intermediate metabolizers co-prescribed a CYP2D6 inhibitor leading to phenoconversion into poor metabolizer. Despite the high rate of co-prescription of opioids and interacting drugs, CYP2D6 testing was infrequent in the sample (0.02%) and chart review suggest that test results were used to optimize antidepressant treatments rather than pain medications. Using pharmacogenetic testing combined with consideration of phenoconversion may allow for an enhanced precision medicine approach to pain management in Veterans.
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13
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Karel MJ, Wray LO, Adler G, Hannum AOR, Luci K, Brady LA, McGuire MH. Mental Health Needs of Aging Veterans: Recent Evidence and Clinical Recommendations. Clin Gerontol 2022; 45:252-271. [PMID: 31971092 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2020.1716910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Large numbers of older Americans have a history of military service, which may be positively or negatively associated with mental health in late life. We reviewed literature with the aim of better understanding the mental health needs of older Veterans.Methods: Articles included those published in 2009-2018 and focused on prevalence/risk for mental illness and suicide among older Veterans; utilization of mental health services; effectiveness of evidence-based behavioral treatments; and pertinent care delivery models.Results: Older Veterans are generally resilient. A significant minority experience mental health concerns that are associated with poor outcomes including a substantial number of suicides. Most published research is based on the approximately one third of Veterans who use the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for care. Older Veterans with mental health diagnoses are less likely to utilize mental health services compared to younger Veterans, but as likely to benefit once engaged. Integrated care models in primary and geriatric care settings are promising.Conclusions: Aging Veterans are a large subset of Americans whose mental health needs are complex and deserve attention.Clinical Implications: Clinicians should ask about history of military service (i.e., Veteran status) and utilize available resources when providing care for older Veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele J Karel
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Central Office, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Laura O Wray
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, VA Western New York Health Care System, Buffalo, New York, United States.,Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Geri Adler
- VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Alisa O' Riley Hannum
- Mental Health Service, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
| | - Katherine Luci
- Center for Aging and Neurocognitive Services, Salem VA Medical Center, Salem, Virginia, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Laura A Brady
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Marsden H McGuire
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Central Office, Washington, DC, United States
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14
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Hayes CJ, Krebs EE, Brown J, Li C, Hudson T, Martin BC. Impact of transitioning from long-term to intermittent opioid therapy on the development of opioid-related adverse outcomes: A retrospective cohort study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 231:109236. [PMID: 34974270 PMCID: PMC10041683 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing pressures exist to reduce or discontinue opioid use among patients currently on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). It is essential to understand the potential effects of opioid reduction. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted among veterans with chronic pain and on LTOT. Using 1:1 propensity score-matched samples of veterans switching to intermittent opioid therapy and those continuing LTOT, we examined the development of subsequent substance use disorders (SUD composite; individual SUD types: opioid, non-opioid drug, and alcohol use disorders) and opioid-related adverse outcomes (ORAO composite; individual ORAO types: accidents resulting in wounds/injuries, opioid-related and alcohol/non-opioid medication-related accidents and overdoses, self-inflicted and violence-related injuries). Sensitivity analyses were conducted using logistic regression with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) and instrumental variable (IV) models. RESULTS A total of 29,293 veterans switching to intermittent therapy were matched to veterans continuing LTOT. With matched samples, no differences were found in composite SUDs and ORAOs between the groups. With SIPTW, veterans switching to intermittent opioid therapy had higher odds of composite SUDs and ORAOs (SUDs aOR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.07,1.17; ORAOs aOR=1.05, 95%CI:1.00,1.09). IV models found lower risks for composite SUDs and ORAOs among veterans switching to intermittent opioid therapy (SUDs: β = -0.38, 95%CI:-0.63,-0.13; ORAOs: β = -0.27, 95%CI:-0.50,-0.04). CONCLUSIONS There were no consistent associations between transitioning patients from LTOT to intermittent opioid therapy and the risk of SUDs and ORAOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Hayes
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 782, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Bldg. 58, North Little Rock, AR 72114, USA.
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, 401 East River Parkway, VCRC 1st Floor, Suite 131, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
| | - Joshua Brown
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1225 Center Drive, HPNP #3334, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Chenghui Li
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 522, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
| | - Teresa Hudson
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 782, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Bldg. 58, North Little Rock, AR 72114, USA.
| | - Bradley C Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 522, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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15
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Burdick R, Corcoran KL, Zhao X, Lisi A. The rate of use of Veterans Affairs chiropractic care: a 5-year analysis. Chiropr Man Therap 2022; 30:4. [PMID: 35062971 PMCID: PMC8781440 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-022-00413-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has initiated various approaches to provide chiropractic care to Veterans. Prior work has shown substantial increase in use of VA chiropractic care between fiscal years (FY) 2005-2016. However, the extent of the availability of these services to the Veteran population remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the rate of Veteran use of VA chiropractic services, both from on-site care at VA facilities and VA purchased care from community care providers. This study analyzed facility characteristics associated with chiropractic use by both care delivery mechanisms (on-site and in the community). METHODS Cross-sectional analyses of administrative data were conducted for FY 2014-2019. Data were obtained from VA's Corporate Data Warehouse. The variables extracted included number of unique Veterans receiving VA chiropractic care on-site and in the community, total Veteran population of the VA facilities, size of the VA chiropractic workforce (measured as Full-Time Equivalent, FTE), and facility characteristics (geographic region and the facility complexity). Descriptive statistics, mixed model, and multivariant models were used to analyze data. RESULTS Use of VA chiropractic care increased over the six-year period for both on-site and community care. National average for on-site use of the population was 1.27% in FY14 and 1.48% in FY19. Community care use was 0.29% and 1.76% for the same years. Use at individual facilities varied widely in each FY. Factors such as chiropractor FTE, geographic locations, and the complexity of the VA facility are associated with use of chiropractic services. CONCLUSION The VA has expanded the non-pharmacologic treatments available to Veterans by providing chiropractic services, yet chiropractic use remains low compared to other US populations. As Veterans have a high prevalence of pain and musculoskeletal conditions, continued work to assess and achieve the optimal levels of chiropractic use in this population is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Burdick
- Center for Medical Informatics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. .,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
| | - Kelsey L. Corcoran
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Center for Medical Informatics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George St, New Haven, CT 06511 USA ,grid.281208.10000 0004 0419 3073Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT 06516 USA ,grid.281208.10000 0004 0419 3073Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT 06516 USA
| | - Xiwen Zhao
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Center for Analytical Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 300 George St, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
| | - Anthony Lisi
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Center for Medical Informatics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George St, New Haven, CT 06511 USA ,grid.281208.10000 0004 0419 3073Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT 06516 USA ,grid.281208.10000 0004 0419 3073Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT 06516 USA
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16
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Balbale SN, Cao L, Trivedi I, Stulberg JJ, Suda KJ, Gellad WF, Evans CT, Jordan N, Keefer LA, Lambert BL. Opioid-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations among patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders dually enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs and Medicare Part D. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2022; 79:78-93. [PMID: 34491281 PMCID: PMC8740548 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxab363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with, serious opioid-related adverse drug events (ORADEs) that led to an emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalization among patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and disorders dually enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicare Part D. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we used linked national patient-level data (April 1, 2011, to October 31, 2014) from the VA and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify serious ORADEs among dually enrolled veterans with a chronic GI symptom or disorder. Outcome measures included serious ORADEs, defined as an ED visit attributed to an ORADE or a hospitalization where the principal or secondary reason for admission involved an opioid. We used multiple logistic regression models to determine factors independently associated with a serious ORADE. RESULTS We identified 3,430 veterans who had a chronic GI symptom or disorder; were dually enrolled in the VA and Medicare Part D; and had a serious ORADE that led to an ED visit, hospitalization, or both. The period prevalence of having a serious ORADE was 2.4% overall and 4.4% among veterans with chronic opioid use (≥90 consecutive days). Veterans with serious ORADEs were more likely to be less than 40 years old, male, white, and to have chronic abdominal pain, functional GI disorders, chronic pancreatitis, or Crohn's disease. They were also more likely to have used opioids chronically and at higher daily doses. CONCLUSION There may be a considerable burden of serious ORADEs among patients with chronic GI symptoms and disorders. Future quality improvement efforts should target this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salva N Balbale
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research & Development, Edward Hines, Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Lishan Cao
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research & Development, Edward Hines, Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Itishree Trivedi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jonah J Stulberg
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Katie J Suda
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Walid F Gellad
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Charlesnika T Evans
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research & Development, Edward Hines, Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Neil Jordan
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research & Development, Edward Hines, Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Laurie A Keefer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bruce L Lambert
- Center for Communication and Health, Northwestern University School of Communication, Chicago, IL, USA
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17
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Henninger MW, Clements AD, Kim S, Rothman EF, Bailey BA. Prevalence of Opioid Use and Intimate Partner Violence among Pregnant Women in South-Central Appalachia, USA. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:1220-1228. [PMID: 35591760 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2076872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: Recent research indicates that pregnant women in rural communities are at increased risk of experiencing IPV and comorbid illicit opioid use compared to urban-residing pregnant women. Few studies of the interactions among rurality, substance use, and victimization in pregnant women exist. The current study sought to examine the relationship between IPV and opioid use and the interaction effects of rurality in Appalachian pregnant women. Methods: A convenience sample of pregnant women who were enrolled in a smoking cessation research study was used for this analysis. Participants included 488 pregnant women from five prenatal clinics in South-Central Appalachia. Data were from self-reported assessments and semi-structured interviews on substance use and IPV conducted from first trimester of pregnancy through eight months postpartum. Results: Four hundred and ten participants reported experiencing any form of IPV in the past year. Logistic regression results indicated that physical IPV was associated with opioid use, but sexual and psychological IPV were not. The moderation model indicated direct effects between IPV and opioid use, but were not moderated by rurality. Conclusion: This study suggests a need to further understand the relationship between substance use, IPV, and rurality in pregnant women. The specific subtopic of opioid use by pregnant women living in rural communities, and its relationship to IPV victimization and adverse fetal and maternal health outcomes, continues to be an understudied, but critically important area. Limitations and future directions pertaining to IPV screenings and interventions for pregnant women are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Henninger
- Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York
| | - Andrea D Clements
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sunha Kim
- Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York
| | - Emily F Rothman
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University, School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Beth A Bailey
- College of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA
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18
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Hayes CJ, Krebs EE, Brown J, Li C, Hudson T, Martin BC. Association Between Pain Intensity and Discontinuing Opioid Therapy or Transitioning to Intermittent Opioid Therapy After Initial Long-Term Opioid Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 22:1709-1721. [PMID: 34186177 PMCID: PMC10068896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in pain intensity among Veterans transitioning from long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) to either intermittent therapy or discontinuation compared to continued LTOT. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale in 90-day increments starting in the 90-day period prior to potential opioid transitions and the two ensuing 90-day periods after transition. Primary analyses used a 1:1 greedy propensity matched sample. A total of 29,293 Veterans switching to intermittent opioids and 5,972 discontinuing opioids were matched to Veterans continuing LTOT. Covariates were well balanced after matching except minor differences in baseline mean pain scores. Pain scores were lower in the follow up periods for those switching to intermittent opioids and discontinuing opioids compared to those continuing LTOT (0-90 days: Intermittent: 3.79, 95%CI: 3.76, 3.82; LTOT: 4.09, 95%CI: 4.06, 4.12, P < .0001; Discontinuation: 3.06, 95%CI: 2.99, 3.13; LTOT: 3.86, 95%CI: 3.79, 3.94, P = <.0001; 91-180 days: Intermittent: 3.76, 95%CI: 3.73, 3.79; LTOT: 3.99, 95%CI: 3.96, 4.02, P < .0001; Discontinuation: 3.01, 95%CI: 2.94, 3.09; LTOT: 3.80, 95%CI: 3.73, 3.87, P = <.0001). Sensitivity analyses found similar results. Discontinuing opioid therapy or switching to intermittent opioid therapy was not associated with increased pain intensity. PERSPECTIVE: This article evaluates the association of switching to intermittent opioid therapy or discontinuing opioids with pain intensity after using opioids long-term. Pain intensity decreased after switching to intermittent therapy or discontinuing opioids, but remained relatively stable for those continuing long-term opioid therapy. Switching to intermittent opioids or discontinuing opioids was not associated with increased pain intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Hayes
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas; Center for Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, 1 Veterans Dr, Minneapolis, Minneapolis; College of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis
| | - Joshua Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Chenghui Li
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas
| | - Teresa Hudson
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas; Center for Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Bradley C Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas.
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19
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Balbale SN, Cao L, Trivedi I, Stulberg JJ, Suda KJ, Gellad WF, Evans CT, Lambert BL, Jordan N, Keefer LA. High-Dose Opioid Use Among Veterans with Unexplained Gastrointestinal Symptoms Versus Structural Gastrointestinal Diagnoses. Dig Dis Sci 2021; 66:3938-3950. [PMID: 33385263 PMCID: PMC8245587 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-020-06742-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a cohort of Veterans dually enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicare Part D, we sought to describe high-dose daily opioid use among Veterans with unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and structural GI diagnoses and examine factors associated with high-dose use. METHODS We used linked national patient-level data from the VA and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We grouped patients into 3 subsets: those with unexplained GI symptoms (e.g., chronic abdominal pain); structural GI diagnoses (e.g., chronic pancreatitis); and those with a concurrent unexplained GI symptom and structural GI diagnosis. High-dose daily opioid use levels were examined as a binary variable [≥ 100 morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day] and as an ordinal variable (50-99 MME/day, 100-119 MME/day, or ≥ 120 MME/day). RESULTS We identified 141,805 chronic GI patients dually enrolled in VA and Part D. High-dose opioid use was present in 11% of Veterans with unexplained GI symptoms, 10% of Veterans with structural GI diagnoses, and 15% of Veterans in the concurrent GI group. Compared to Veterans with only an unexplained GI symptom or structural diagnosis, concurrent GI patients were more likely to have higher daily opioid doses, more opioid days ≥ 100 MME, and higher risk of chronic use. Factors associated with high-dose use included opioid receipt from both VA and Part D, younger age, and benzodiazepine use. CONCLUSIONS A significant subset of chronic GI patients in the VA are high-dose opioid users. Efforts are needed to reduce high-dose use among Veterans with concurrent GI symptoms and diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salva N Balbale
- Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA.
| | - Lishan Cao
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Itishree Trivedi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois At Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jonah J Stulberg
- Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Katie J Suda
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Walid F Gellad
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Charlesnika T Evans
- Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bruce L Lambert
- Center for Communication and Health, Northwestern University School of Communication, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Neil Jordan
- Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Laurie A Keefer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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20
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Association of Lifetime History of Traumatic Brain Injury With Prescription Opioid Use and Misuse Among Adults. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2021; 36:328-337. [PMID: 34489383 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate associations of lifetime history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with prescription opioid use and misuse among noninstitutionalized adults. PARTICIPANTS Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) participants in the 2018 cohort who completed the prescription opioid and lifetime history of TBI modules (n = 3448). DESIGN Secondary analyses of a statewide population-based cross-sectional survey. MAIN MEASURES Self-report of a lifetime history of TBI using an adaptation of the Ohio State University TBI-Identification Method. Self-report of past year: (1) prescription pain medication use (ie, prescription opioid use); and (2) prescription opioid misuse, defined as using opioids more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed and/or using a prescription opioid not prescribed to the respondent. RESULTS In total, 22.8% of adults in the sample screened positive for a lifetime history of TBI. A quarter (25.5%) reported past year prescription opioid use, and 3.1% met criteria for prescription opioid misuse. A lifetime history of TBI was associated with increased odds of both past year prescription opioid use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.27-1.83; P < .01) and prescription opioid misuse (AOR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.08-2.52; P < .05), controlling for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and marital status. CONCLUSION Results from this study support the "perfect storm" hypothesis-that persons with a history of TBI are at an increased risk for exposure to prescription opioids and advancing to prescription opioid misuse compared with those without a history of TBI. Routine screening for a lifetime history of TBI may help target efforts to prevent opioid misuse among adults.
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21
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Balbale SN, Cao L, Trivedi I, Stulberg JJ, Suda KJ, Gellad WF, Evans CT, Lambert BL, Keefer LA, Jordan N. Characteristics of Opioid Prescriptions to Veterans With Chronic Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Disorders Dually Enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs and Medicare Part D. Mil Med 2021; 186:943-950. [PMID: 33693755 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and disorders affect an increasingly large group of veterans. Opioid use may be rising in this population, but this is concerning from a patient safety perspective, given the risk of dependence and lack of evidence supporting opioid use to manage chronic pain. We examined the characteristics of opioid prescriptions and factors associated with chronic opioid use among chronic GI patients dually enrolled in the DVA and Medicare Part D. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we used linked, national patient-level data (from April 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014) from the VA and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to identify chronic GI patients and observe opioid use. Veterans who had a chronic GI symptom or disorder were dually enrolled in VA and Part D and received ≥1 opioid prescription dispensed through the VA, Part D, or both. Chronic GI symptoms and disorders included chronic abdominal pain, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and functional GI disorders. Key outcome measures were outpatient opioid prescription dispensing overall and chronic opioid use, defined as ≥90 consecutive days of opioid receipt over 12 months. We described patient characteristics and opioid use measures using descriptive statistics. Using multiple logistic regression modeling, we generated adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs to determine variables independently associated with chronic opioid use. The final model included variables outlined in the literature and our conceptual framework. RESULTS We identified 141,805 veterans who had a chronic GI symptom or disorder, were dually enrolled in VA and Part D, and received ≥1 opioid prescription dispensed from the VA, Part D, or both. Twenty-six percent received opioids from the VA only, 69% received opioids from Medicare Part D only, and 5% were "dual users," receiving opioids through both VA and Part D. Compared to veterans who received opioids from the VA or Part D only, dual users had a greater likelihood of potentially unsafe opioid use outcomes, including greater number of days on opioids, higher daily doses, and higher odds of chronic use. CONCLUSIONS Chronic GI patients in the VA may be frequent users of opioids and may have a unique set of risk factors for unsafe opioid use. Careful monitoring of opioid use among chronic GI patients may help to begin risk stratifying this group. and develop tailored approaches to minimize chronic use. The findings underscore potential nuances within the opioid epidemic and suggest that components of the VA's Opioid Safety Initiative may need to be adapted around veterans at a higher risk of opioid-related adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salva N Balbale
- Health Services & Outcomes Research. Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141, USA
| | - Lishan Cao
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141, USA
| | - Itishree Trivedi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Jonah J Stulberg
- Health Services & Outcomes Research. Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Surgical Outcomes & Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC) and Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Katie J Suda
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System & Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - Walid F Gellad
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System & Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - Charlesnika T Evans
- Health Services & Outcomes Research. Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141, USA.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Bruce L Lambert
- Center for Communication and Health, Northwestern University School of Communication, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Laurie A Keefer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Neil Jordan
- Health Services & Outcomes Research. Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research and Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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22
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Bushey MA, Wu J, Outcalt SD, Krebs EE, Ang D, Kline M, Yu Z, Bair MJ. Opioid use as a predictor of pain outcomes in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans with chronic pain: Analysis of a randomized controlled trial. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 22:2964-2970. [PMID: 34411252 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnab237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to: 1) assess the relationship between self-reported opioid use and baseline demographics, clinical characteristics and pain outcomes; and 2) examine whether baseline opioid use moderated the intervention effect on outcomes at 9 months. DESIGN We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Evaluation of Stepped Care for Chronic Pain (ESCAPE) trial, which found stepped-care to be effective for chronic pain in military veterans. SETTING A post-deployment clinic and 5 general medicine clinics at a Veteran Affairs Medical Center. SUBJECTS 241 veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain; 220 with complete data at 9 months. METHODS Examination of baseline relationships and multivariable linear regression to examine baseline opioid use as a moderator of pain-related outcomes including Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Interference scale, and Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) at 9 months. RESULTS Veterans reporting baseline opioid use (n = 80) had significantly worse RMDQ (16.0 ± 4.9 vs. 13.4 ± 4.2, P < 0.0001), GCPS (68.7 ± 12.0 vs. 65.0 ± 14.4, p = 0.049), BPI Interference (6.2 ± 2.2 vs. 5.0 ± 2.1, P < 0.0001), and depression (PHQ-9 12.5 ± 6.2 vs. 10.6 ± 5.7, p = 0.016) compared to veterans not reporting baseline opioid use. Using multivariable modeling we found that baseline opioid use moderated the intervention effect on pain-related disability (RMDQ) at 9 months (interaction Beta = -3.88, p = 0.0064), but not pain intensity or interference. CONCLUSIONS In a stepped-care trial for pain, patients reporting baseline opioid use had greater improvement in pain disability at 9 months compared to patients not reporting opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Bushey
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Jingwei Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University College of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Samantha D Outcalt
- VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Dennis Ang
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew Kline
- VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Zhangsheng Yu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Matthew J Bair
- VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Indiana University School of Medicine; Department of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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23
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Pickard JG, van den Berk-Clark C, Matthieu MM. Association of Medication-Assisted Treatment and Age With Treatment Completion Among Veterans Seeking Non-VA Treatment for Opioid use Disorder at Non-Veterans Health Administration Facilities. Mil Med 2021; 187:504-512. [PMID: 34173832 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication-assisted treatment has been shown to be effective in treating opioid use disorder among both older adults and veterans of U.S. Armed Forces. However, limited evidence exists on MAT's differential effect on treatment completion across age groups. This study aims to ascertain the role of MAT and age in treatment completion among veterans seeking treatment in non-Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities for opioid use disorder. METHODS We used the Treatment Episode Data Set-Discharges (TEDS-D; 2006-2017) to examine trends in treatment and MAT usage over time and TEDS-2017 to determine the role of age and MAT in treatment completion. We examined a subset of those who self-identified as veterans and who sought treatment for an opioid use disorder. RESULTS Veterans presented in treatment more often as heroin users than prescription opioid users, and older veterans were more likely to get MAT than younger veterans. We found that before propensity score matching, MAT initially appeared to be associated with a lower likelihood of treatment completion in inpatient ($\beta $ = -1.47, 95% CI -1.56 to -1.39) and outpatient ($\beta $ = -1.40, 95% CI -2.21 to -0.58) settings, and age (50+ years) appeared to mediate the effect of MAT on treatment completion ($\beta $ = -0.54, 95% CI -0.87 to -0.21). After matching, older veterans were more likely to complete substance use disorder treatment ($\beta $ = 0.21, 95% CI 0.01-0.42), while age no longer mediated the effect of MAT, and MAT had a significant positive impact on treatment completion in detox settings ($\beta $ = 1.36, 95% CI 1.15-1.50) and inpatient settings ($\beta $ = 1.54, 95% CI 1.37 -1.71). CONCLUSION The results show that age plays an important role in outpatient treatment completion, while MAT plays an important role in inpatient treatment completion. Implications for veterans are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Pickard
- School of Social Work, University of Missouri-Saint Louis, 63121, USA
| | | | - Monica M Matthieu
- College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 63103, USA
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24
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Hayes CJ, Gressler LE, Hu B, Jones BL, Williams JS, Martin BC. Trajectories of Opioid Coverage After Long-Term Opioid Therapy Initiation Among a National Cohort of US Veterans. J Pain Res 2021; 14:1745-1762. [PMID: 34163232 PMCID: PMC8214015 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s308196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study was to identify the trajectories that patients take after initiating long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). Materials and Methods Using a retrospective cohort design, veterans with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) initiating LTOT were identified. Group-based trajectory models were used to identify opioid therapy trajectories based on days of opioid supply (primary outcome) and average daily morphine milligram equivalent dose (AMME; secondary outcome) in each 180-day period following initiation of LTOT. Results A total of 438,398 veterans with CNCP initiated LTOT. Nine trajectories were identified: 33.7% with persistent, high days covered, 17.7% with persistent, moderate days covered, 16.6% with slow, persistent days-covered reduction, 2.4% with days-covered reduction followed by increase, 4.6% with delayed days-covered reduction, 4.1% with rapid days-covered reduction, 10.9% with moderate-paced discontinuation, 3.4% with delayed discontinuation, and 6.5% with rapid discontinuation. Patients following discontinuation trajectories were more likely to be younger, persons of color, use more supportive services (eg, physical therapy), and received less opioid days' supply and lower doses prior to initiating LTOT as compared to patients following persistent opioid days-covered trajectories. AMME trajectories were similar to days-covered trajectories. Conclusion Among persons initiating LTOT, nine opioid trajectories emerged which can be broadly characterized into three main trajectory groups: persistent opioid therapy (2 trajectories), reductions in opioid therapy (4 trajectories), and discontinuation (3 trajectories). A majority of patients (51.4%) maintained persistent opioid therapy. Further research is needed to assess the risks of opioid-related adverse outcomes among the identified trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Hayes
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, USA.,Center of Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Laura E Gressler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bo Hu
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, USA.,Center of Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Bobby L Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J Silas Williams
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, USA.,Center of Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Bradley C Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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25
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Associations between obstructive sleep apnea and prescribed opioids among veterans. Pain 2021; 161:2035-2040. [PMID: 32358418 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Sleep disruption caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be associated with hyperalgesia and may contribute to poor pain control and use of prescription opioids. However, the relationship between OSA and opioid prescription is not well described. We examine this association using cross-sectional data from a national cohort of veterans from recent wars enrolled from October 1, 2001 to October 7, 2014. The primary outcome was the relative risk ratio (RRR) of receiving opioid prescriptions for acute (<90 days/year) and chronic (≥90 days/year) durations compared with no opioid prescriptions. The primary exposure was a diagnosis of OSA. We used multinomial logistic regression to control for factors that may affect diagnosis of OSA or receipt of opioid prescriptions. Of the 1,149,874 patients (mean age 38.0 ± 9.6 years) assessed, 88.1% had no opioid prescriptions, 9.4% had acute prescriptions, and 2.5% had chronic prescriptions. Ten percent had a diagnosis of OSA. Patients with OSA were more likely to be older, male, nonwhite, obese, current or former smokers, have higher pain intensity, and have medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Controlling for these differences, patients with OSA were more likely to receive acute (RRR 2.02 [95% confidence interval 1.98-2.06]) or chronic (RRR 2.15 [2.09-2.22]) opioids. Further dividing opioid categories by high vs low dosage did not yield substantially different results. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a two-fold likelihood of being prescribed opioids for pain. Clinicians should consider incorporating OSA treatment into multimodal pain management strategies; OSA as a target for pain management should be further studied.
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26
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Hayes CJ, Krebs EE, Hudson T, Brown J, Li C, Martin BC. Impact of opioid dose escalation on pain intensity: a retrospective cohort study. Pain 2021; 161:979-988. [PMID: 31917775 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Prescribers are often confronted with the decision to escalate opioid doses to achieve adequate analgesia. Understanding the impact of dose escalation on pain intensity is warranted. Using a retrospective cohort study design, Veterans with chronic pain and chronic opioid therapy were identified. Opioid dose escalators (>20% increase in average morphine milligram equivalent daily dose) were compared with dose maintainers (±20% change in average morphine milligram equivalent daily dose) assessed over 2 consecutive 6-month windows. Pain intensity was measured by the Numeric Rating Scale. The primary analyses used linear repeated-measures models among a 1:1 matched sample of escalators and maintainers matched on propensity score and within ±180 days of the index date. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using adjusted linear repeated-measures models with and without incorporating stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting. There were 32,420 dose maintainers and 20,767 dose escalators identified with 19,358 (93%) matched pairs. Pain scores were persistently higher among dose escalators at each 90-day period after the index date (0-90 days after index date: dose escalators: 4.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.64-4.72 dose maintainers: 4.32, 95% CI: 4.28-4.36, P < 0.0001; 91-180 days after index date: dose escalators: 4.53, 95% CI: 4.49-4.57; dose maintainers: 4.25, 95% CI: 4.22-4.29, P < 0.0001) but were not different in the 90 days before the index date (dose escalators: 4.64, 95% CI: 4.61-4.68; dose maintainers: 4.59, 95% CI: 4.55-4.63, P = 0.0551). Sensitivity analyses provided similar results as the primary analyses. Opioid dose escalation among patients with chronic pain is not associated with improvements in Numeric Rating Scale pain scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Hayes
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Teresa Hudson
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.,Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Joshua Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Chenghui Li
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Bradley C Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
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27
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Rhudy C, Perry CL, Singleton M, Talbert J, Barrett TA. Chronic opioid use is associated with early biologic discontinuation in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 53:704-711. [PMID: 33497484 PMCID: PMC7897267 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic opioid use is associated with poorer clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease. AIMS To investigate an association between chronic opioid use and persistence with biologic agents in management of inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS A total of 16 624 patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and receiving a first-time biologic prescription from 2011 to 2016 were identified retrospectively from the Truven MarketScan Database. A cohort of 1768 patients were identified as chronic opioid users utilising outpatient prescription claims. Utilisation patterns of biologic therapies were assessed from inpatient administration and outpatient claims data, including persistence calculations. Information on healthcare utilisation and common comorbidities was also collected. A Cox regression model was constructed to assess the hazard of chronic opioid use on early discontinuation of biologic therapy controlling for disease severity. RESULTS A mean 1.5 different biologic agents were utilised by inflammatory bowel disease patients with chronic opioid use (vs 1.37 in the comparator group; P < 0.0001). A lower proportion of the chronic opioid use cohort persisted on biologic therapies to the end of the study period (16.2% vs 33.5% P < 0.0001). Inflammatory bowel disease patients with chronic opioid use utilised more healthcare resources and had a higher rate of comorbidities than the reference cohort. Patients with chronic opioid use were 23% more likely (hazard ratio 1.23; 95% CI [1.16-1.31]) to be non-persistent with biologic therapy while accounting for relevant markers of disease acuity. CONCLUSIONS Chronic opioid use is associated with increased hazard of biologic discontinuation in inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal may mimic IBD flares thereby leading providers to inappropriately switch biologic therapies and compromise disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Rhudy
- University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Courtney L. Perry
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Michael Singleton
- University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Jeffery Talbert
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Informatics, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Terrence A. Barrett
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Lexington, Kentucky
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de Oliveira Costa J, Bruno C, Baranwal N, Gisev N, Dobbins TA, Degenhardt L, Pearson SA. Variations in Long-term Opioid Therapy Definitions: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies Using Routinely Collected Data (2000-2019). Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 87:3706-3720. [PMID: 33629352 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Routinely collected data have been increasingly used to assess long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) patterns, with very little guidance on how to measure LTOT from these data sources. We conducted a systematic review of studies published between January 2000 and July 2019 to catalogue LTOT definitions, the rationale for definitions and LTOT rates in observational research using routinely collected data in nonsurgical settings. We screened 4056 abstracts, 210 full-text manuscripts and included 128 studies, mostly from the United States (81%) and published between 2015 and 2019 (69%). We identified 78 definitions of LTOT, commonly operationalised as 90 days of use within a year (23%). Studies often used multiple criteria to derive definitions (60%), mostly based on measures of duration, such as supply days/days of use (66%), episode length (21%) or prescription fills within specified time periods (12%). Definitions were based on previous publications (63%), clinical judgment (16%) or empirical data (3%); 10% of studies applied more than one definition. LTOT definition was not provided with enough details for replication in 14 studies and 38 studies did not specify the opioids evaluated. Rates of LTOT within study populations ranged from 0.2% to 57% according to study design and definition used. We observed a substantial rise in the last 5 years in studies evaluating LTOT with large variability in the definitions used and poor reporting of the rationale and implementation of definitions. This variation impacts on research reproducibility, comparability of findings and the development of strategies aiming to curb therapy that is not guideline-recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Bruno
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Navya Baranwal
- Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy A Dobbins
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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29
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Asamoah-Boaheng M, Badejo OA, Bell LV, Buckley N, Busse JW, Campbell TS, Corace K, Cooper L, Flusk D, Garcia DA, Hossain MA, Iorio A, Lavoie KL, Poulin PA, Skidmore B, Rash JA. Interventions to Influence Opioid Prescribing Practices for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Prev Med 2021; 60:e15-e26. [PMID: 33229143 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT This study is a systematic review of interventions to improve adherence to guideline recommendations for prescribing opioids for chronic noncancer pain. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Investigators searched CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and Joanna Briggs Institute Evid Based Pract database from inception until June 3, 2019. Interventional studies to improve adherence to recommendations made by opioid guidelines for chronic noncancer pain in North America were eligible if outcomes included adherence to guideline recommendations or change in quantity of opioids prescribed. Data were extracted independently and in duplicate. Quantitative synthesis was performed using random effects meta-analysis. Confidence in evidence was determined using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS A total of 20 studies (8 controlled and 12 prospective cohort) involving 1,491 providers and 72 clinics met inclusion. Interventions included education, audit and feedback, interprofessional support, shared decision making, and multifaceted strategies. Multifaceted interventions improved the use of urine drug testing (n=2, or =2.31, 95% CI=1.53, 3.49, z=3.98, p<0.01; high-certainty evidence), treatment agreements (n=2, or =1.96, 95% CI=1.47, 2.61, z=4.56, p<0.01; moderate-certainty evidence), and mental health screening (n=2, 2.57-fold, 95% CI=1.56, 4.24, z=2.32, p=0.02; low-certainty evidence) when prescribing opioids for chronic noncancer pain. Very low-certainty evidence suggests that several interventions improved the use of treatment agreements, urine drug testing, and prescription drug monitoring programs. CONCLUSIONS Mostly very low-certainty evidence supports a number of interventions for improving adherence to risk management strategies when prescribing opioids for chronic noncancer pain; however, the effect on patient important outcomes (e.g., overdose, addiction, death) is uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Asamoah-Boaheng
- Clinical Epidemiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Oluwatosin A Badejo
- Clinical Epidemiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Louise V Bell
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Norman Buckley
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason W Busse
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; The Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tavis S Campbell
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kim Corace
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lynn Cooper
- Canadian Injured Workers Alliance, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada
| | - David Flusk
- Department of Anesthesia, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - David A Garcia
- Clinical Epidemiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Mohammad A Hossain
- Clinical Epidemiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Alfonso Iorio
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kim L Lavoie
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Behavioral Medicine Centre (MBMC), Centre intégrée universitaire de santé et services sociaux de Nord de l'Ile de Montreal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patricia A Poulin
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology and Pain Clinic, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Becky Skidmore
- Independent Information Specialist, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua A Rash
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
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30
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Shen Y, Bhagwandass H, Branchcomb T, Galvez SA, Grande I, Lessing J, Mollanazar M, Ourhaan N, Oueini R, Sasser M, Valdes IL, Jadubans A, Hollmann J, Maguire M, Usmani S, Vouri SM, Hincapie-Castillo JM, Adkins LE, Goodin AJ. Chronic Opioid Therapy: A Scoping Literature Review on Evolving Clinical and Scientific Definitions. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2020; 22:246-262. [PMID: 33031943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The management of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) with chronic opioid therapy (COT) is controversial. There is a lack of consensus on how COT is defined resulting in unclear clinical guidance. This scoping review identifies and evaluates evolving COT definitions throughout the published clinical and scientific literature. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. A total of 227 studies were identified from 8,866 studies published between January 2000 and July 2019. COT definitions were classified by pain population of application and specific dosage/duration definition parameters, with results reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Approximately half of studies defined COT as "days' supply duration >90 days" and 9.3% defined as ">120 days' supply," with other days' supply cut-off points (>30, >60, or >70) each appearing in <5% of total studies. COT was defined by number of prescriptions in 63 studies, with 16.3% and 11.0% using number of initiations or refills, respectively. Few studies explicitly distinguished acute treatment and COT. Episode duration/dosage criteria was used in 90 studies, with 7.5% by Morphine Milligram Equivalents + days' supply and 32.2% by other "episode" combination definitions. COT definitions were applied in musculoskeletal CNCP (60.8%) most often, and typically in adults aged 18 to 64 (69.6%). The usage of ">90 days' supply" COT definitions increased from 3.2 publications/year before 2016 to 20.7 publications/year after 2016. An increasing proportion of studies define COT as ">90 days' supply." The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria, suggesting that contemporary COT definitions are increasingly conservative. PERSPECTIVE: This study summarized the most common, current definition criteria for chronic opioid therapy (COT) and recommends adoption of consistent definition criteria to be utilized in practice and research. The most recent literature trends toward shorter duration criteria overall, suggesting that COT definition criteria are increasingly stringent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Shen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hemita Bhagwandass
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Tychell Branchcomb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sophia A Galvez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ivanna Grande
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Julia Lessing
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mikela Mollanazar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Natalie Ourhaan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Razanne Oueini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael Sasser
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ivelisse L Valdes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ashmita Jadubans
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Josef Hollmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael Maguire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Silken Usmani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Scott M Vouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Juan M Hincapie-Castillo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lauren E Adkins
- University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Amie J Goodin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
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31
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High-dose prescribed opioids are associated with increased risk of heroin use among United States military veterans. Pain 2020; 160:2126-2135. [PMID: 31145217 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite evidence linking increased risk of opioid use disorder with specific opioid-prescribing patterns, the relationship between these patterns and heroin use is less understood. This study aimed to determine whether dose and duration of opioid prescriptions predict subsequent heroin use in United States veterans. We analyzed data from 2002 to 2012 from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study. We used inverse probability of censoring weighted Cox regression to examine the relationship between self-reported past year heroin use and 2 primary predictors: (1) prior receipt of a high-dose opioid prescription (≥90 mg morphine equivalent daily dose), and (2) prior receipt of a long-term opioid prescription (≥90 days). Heroin use was ascertained using most recent value of time-updated self-reported past year heroin use. Models were adjusted for HIV and hepatitis C virus infection status, sociodemographics, pain interference, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and use of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and unhealthy alcohol use. In the final model, prior receipt of a high-dose opioid prescription was associated with past year heroin use (adjusted hazard ratio use = 2.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-5.10), whereas long-term opioid receipt was not (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.75-1.57). Patients receiving high-dose opioid prescriptions should be monitored for heroin use. These findings support current national guidelines recommending against prescribing high-dose opioids for treating pain.
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32
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Hayes CJ, Krebs EE, Hudson T, Brown J, Li C, Martin BC. Impact of opioid dose escalation on the development of substance use disorders, accidents, self-inflicted injuries, opioid overdoses and alcohol and non-opioid drug-related overdoses: a retrospective cohort study. Addiction 2020; 115:1098-1112. [PMID: 31944486 PMCID: PMC7263736 DOI: 10.1111/add.14940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM To understand the potential harmful effects of dose escalation among patients with chronic, non-cancer pain (CNCP) on chronic opioid therapy. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING United States Veterans Healthcare Administration. PARTICIPANTS Veterans with CNCP and on chronic opioid therapy were identified using data from fiscal years 2008-15. The Veteran sample was approximately 90% male and 70% white. MEASUREMENTS Dose escalators [increase of > 20% average morphine milligram equivalent (MME) daily dose] were compared with dose maintainers (change of ±20% average MME daily dose). A composite measure of subsequent substance use disorders (SUDs: opioid, non-opioid and alcohol use disorders) and opioid-related adverse outcomes (AOs: accidents resulting in wounds/injuries, opioid-related and alcohol and non-opioid medication-related accidents and overdoses, self-inflicted injuries) as well as the individual SUDs and AOs was examined. The primary analyses were conducted among a 1 : 1 matched sample of escalators and maintainers matched on propensity score and index date. Propensity scores were generated using demographic characteristics, medical comorbidities, medication and health-care utilization characteristics. Subgroup analyses were conducted by quartile of the propensity score. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using adjusted logistic regression, logistic regression using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) and instrumental variable (IV) models using geographic variation in opioid dose escalation as the IV. FINDINGS There were 32 420 maintainers and 20 767 escalators resulting in 19 358 (93.2%) matched pairs. Composite AOs [odds ratio (OR) = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23, 1.40], composite SUDs (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.41) and individual SUD and AO subtypes were higher among dose escalators, except for opioid-related accidents and overdoses and violence-related injuries. Subgroup analyses within the propensity score quartiles found similar results. Sensitivity analyses with the adjusted and SIPTW logistic regressions found similar results to the primary analyses for all outcomes except for opioid-related accidents and overdoses, which were found to be significantly higher among escalators. Sensitivity analyses with IV models provided mixed results with SUDs and the individual types of AOs. CONCLUSION Escalating the opioid dose for those with chronic, non-cancer pain is associated with increased risks of substance use disorder and opioid-related adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J. Hayes
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 755 Little
Rock, AR 72205
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central
Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 4301 West Markham, Slot 755 Little Rock, AR
72205
| | - Erin E. Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis
VA Healthcare System, 1 Veterans Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55417
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical
School, 1 Veterans Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55417
| | - Teresa Hudson
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 755 Little
Rock, AR 72205
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central
Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 4301 West Markham, Slot 755 Little Rock, AR
72205
| | - Joshua Brown
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, Department of
Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1225
Center Drive HPNP #3334 Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Chenghui Li
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College
of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot
522 Little Rock, AR 72205
| | - Bradley C. Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College
of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot
522 Little Rock, AR 72205
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33
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Mathieson S, Wertheimer G, Maher CG, Christine Lin CW, McLachlan AJ, Buchbinder R, Pearson SA, Underwood M. What proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain are prescribed an opioid medicine? Systematic review and meta-regression of observational studies. J Intern Med 2020; 287:458-474. [PMID: 32100394 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Guidelines now discourage opioid analgesics for chronic noncancer pain because the benefits frequently do not outweigh the harms. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain who are prescribed an opioid, the types prescribed and factors associated with prescribing. Database searches were conducted from inception to 29 October 2018 without language restrictions. We included observational studies of adults with chronic noncancer pain measuring opioid prescribing. Opioids were categorized as weak (e.g. codeine) or strong (e.g. oxycodone). Study quality was assessed using a risk of bias tool designed for observational studies measuring prevalence. Individual study results were pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-regression investigated study-level factors associated with prescribing (e.g. sampling year, geographic region as per World Health Organization). The overall evidence quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. Of the 42 studies (5,059,098 participants) identified, the majority (n = 28) were from the United States of America. Eleven studies were at low risk of bias. The pooled estimate of the proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain prescribed opioids was 30.7% (95% CI 28.7% to 32.7%, n = 42 studies, moderate-quality evidence). Strong opioids were more frequently prescribed than weak (18.4% (95% CI 16.0-21.0%, n = 15 studies, low-quality evidence), versus 8.5% (95% CI 7.2-9.9%, n = 15 studies, low-quality evidence)). Meta-regression determined that opioid prescribing was associated with year of sampling (more prescribing in recent years) (P = 0.014) and not geographic region (P = 0.056). Opioid prescribing for patients with chronic noncancer pain is common and has increased over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mathieson
- From the, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - G Wertheimer
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C G Maher
- From the, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C-W Christine Lin
- From the, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A J McLachlan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - R Buchbinder
- Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Institute, Malvern, Vic.,, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - S-A Pearson
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M Underwood
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Experts cautioned that patients affected by the November 2010 withdrawal of the opioid analgesic propoxyphene might receive riskier prescriptions. To explore this, we compared drug receipts and outcomes among propoxyphene users before and aftermarket withdrawal. STUDY DESIGN Using OptumLabs data, we studied 3 populations: commercial, Medicare Advantage (MA) aged (age 65+ y) and MA disabled (age below 65 y) enrollees. The exposed enrollees received propoxyphene in the 3 months before market withdrawal (n=13,622); historical controls (unexposed) received propoxyphene 1 year earlier (n=9971). Regression models estimated daily milligrams morphine equivalent (MME), daily prescription acetaminophen dose, potentially toxic acetaminophen doses, nonopioid prescription analgesics receipt, emergency room visits, and diagnosed falls, motor vehicle accidents, and hip fractures. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Aged MA enrollees illustrate the experience of all 3 populations examined. Following the market withdrawal, propoxyphene users in the exposed cohort experienced an abrupt decline of 69% in average daily MME, compared with a 14% decline in the unexposed. Opioids were discontinued by 34% of the exposed cohort and 18% of the unexposed. Tramadol and hydrocodone were the most common opioids substituted for propoxyphene. The proportion of each group receiving ≥4 g of prescription acetaminophen per day decreased from 12% to 2% in the exposed group but increased from 6% to 8% among the unexposed. Adverse events were rare and not significantly different in exposed versus unexposed groups. CONCLUSIONS After propoxyphene market withdrawal, many individuals experienced abrupt discontinuation of opioids. Policymakers might consider supporting appropriate treatment transitions and monitoring responses following drug withdrawals.
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35
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Krebs EE, Clothier B, Nugent S, Jensen AC, Martinson BC, Goldsmith ES, Donaldson MT, Frank JW, Rutks I, Noorbaloochi S. The evaluating prescription opioid changes in veterans (EPOCH) study: Design, survey response, and baseline characteristics. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230751. [PMID: 32320421 PMCID: PMC7176145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In the United States (US), long-term opioid therapy has been commonly prescribed for chronic pain. Since recognition of the opioid overdose epidemic, clinical practice guidelines have recommended tapering long-term opioids to reduced doses or discontinuation. The Effects of Prescription Opioid Changes for veterans (EPOCH) study is a national population-based prospective observational study of US Veterans Health Administration primary care patients designed to assess effects of evolving opioid prescribing practice on patients treated with long-term opioids for chronic pain. A stratified random sampling design was used to identify a survey sample from the target population of patients treated with opioid analgesics for ≥ 6 months. Demographic, diagnostic, visit, and pharmacy dispensing data were extracted from existing datasets. A 2016 mixed-mode mail and telephone survey collected patient-reported data, including the main patient-reported outcomes of pain-related function (Brief Pain Inventory interference; BPI-I scores 0–10, higher scores = worse) and health-related quality of life. Data on survey participants and non-participants were analyzed to assess potential nonresponse bias. Weights were used to account for design. Linear regression models were used to assess cross-sectional associations of opioid treatment with patient-reported measures. Of 14,160 patients contacted, 9253 (65.4%) completed the survey. Participants were older than non-participants (63.9 ± 10.6 vs. 59.6 ± 13.0 years). The mean number of bothersome pain locations was 6.8 (SE 0.04). Effectiveness of pain treatment and quality of pain care were rated fair or poor by 56.1% and 45.3%, respectively. The opioid daily dosage range was 1.6 to 1038.2 mg, with mean = 50.6 mg (SE 1.1) and median = 30.9 mg (IQR 40.7). Among the 73.2% of patients who did not receive long-acting opioids, the mean daily dosage was 30.4 mg (SE 0.6) and mean BPI-I was 6.4 (SE 00.4). Among patients who received long-acting opioids, the mean daily dosage was 106.2 mg (SE 2.8) and mean BPI-I was 6.8 (SE 0.07). Higher daily dosage was associated with worse pain-related function and quality of life among patients without long-acting opioids, but not among patients with long-acting opioids. Future analyses will use follow-up data to examine effects of opioid dose reduction and discontinuation on patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Barbara Clothier
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Sean Nugent
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Agnes C. Jensen
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Brian C. Martinson
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- HealthPartners Institute, Bloomington, MN, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth S. Goldsmith
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Melvin T. Donaldson
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Joseph W. Frank
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Indulis Rutks
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Siamak Noorbaloochi
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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FitzHenry F, Eden SK, Denton J, Cao H, Cao A, Reeves R, Chen G, Gobbel G, Wells N, Matheny ME. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Opioid-Induced Constipation in an Older National Veteran Cohort. Pain Res Manag 2020; 2020:5165682. [PMID: 32318129 PMCID: PMC7149448 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5165682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This research describes the prevalence and covariates associated with opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in an observational cohort study utilizing a national veteran cohort and integrated data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Methods A cohort of 152,904 veterans with encounters between 1 January 2008 and 30 November 2010, an exposure to opioids of 30 days or more, and no exposure in the prior year was developed to establish existing conditions and medications at the start of the opioid exposure and determining outcomes through the end of exposure. OIC was identified through additions/changes in laxative prescriptions, all-cause constipation identification through diagnosis, or constipation related procedures in the presence of opioid exposure. The association of time to constipation with opioid use was analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression adjusted for patient characteristics, concomitant medications, laboratory tests, and comorbidities. Results The prevalence of OIC was 12.6%. Twelve positively associated covariates were identified with the largest associations for prior constipation and prevalent laxative (any laxative that continued into the first day of opioid exposure). Among the 17 negatively associated covariates, the largest associations were for erythromycins, androgens/anabolics, and unknown race. Conclusions There were several novel covariates found that are seen in the all-cause chronic constipation literature but have not been reported for opioid-induced constipation. Some are modifiable covariates, particularly medication coadministration, which may assist clinicians and researchers in risk stratification efforts when initiating opioid medications. The integration of CMS data supports the robustness of the analysis and may be of interest in the elderly population warranting future examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fern FitzHenry
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Svetlana K. Eden
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jason Denton
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Hui Cao
- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Aize Cao
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ruth Reeves
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Guanhua Chen
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Glenn Gobbel
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nancy Wells
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael E. Matheny
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Owen-Smith A, Stewart C, Sesay MM, Strasser SM, Yarborough BJ, Ahmedani B, Miller-Matero LR, Waring SC, Haller IV, Waitzfelder BE, Sterling SA, Campbell CI, Hechter RC, Zeber JE, Copeland LA, Scherrer JF, Rossom R, Simon G. Chronic pain diagnoses and opioid dispensings among insured individuals with serious mental illness. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:40. [PMID: 32005200 PMCID: PMC6995196 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-2456-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) have particularly high rates of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and are also more likely to receive prescription opioids for their pain. However, there have been no known studies published to date that have examined opioid treatment patterns among individuals with schizophrenia. METHODS Using electronic medical record data across 13 Mental Health Research Network sites, individuals with diagnoses of MDD (N = 65,750), BD (N = 38,117) or schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 12,916) were identified and matched on age, sex and Medicare status to controls with no documented mental illness. CNCP diagnoses and prescription opioid medication dispensings were extracted for the matched samples. Multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate (1) the odds of receiving a pain-related diagnosis and (2) the odds of receiving opioids, by separate mental illness diagnosis category compared with matched controls, controlling for age, sex, Medicare status, race/ethnicity, income, medical comorbidities, healthcare utilization and chronic pain diagnoses. RESULTS Multivariable models indicated that having a MDD (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.85-1.95) or BD (OR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.66-1.77) diagnosis was associated with increased odds of a CNCP diagnosis after controlling for age, sex, race, income, medical comorbidities and healthcare utilization. By contrast, having a schizophrenia diagnosis was associated with decreased odds of receiving a chronic pain diagnosis (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.82-0.90). Having a MDD (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 2.44-2.75) or BD (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.97-2.28) diagnosis was associated with increased odds of receiving chronic opioid medications, even after controlling for age, sex, race, income, medical comorbidities, healthcare utilization and chronic pain diagnosis; having a schizophrenia diagnosis was not associated with receiving chronic opioid medications. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with serious mental illness, who are most at risk for developing opioid-related problems, continue to be prescribed opioids more often than their peers without mental illness. Mental health clinicians may be particularly well-suited to lead pain assessment and management efforts for these patients. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of involving mental health clinicians in these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashli Owen-Smith
- Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Urban Life Building, 140 Decatur Street, Suite 434, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA. .,Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Christine Stewart
- 0000 0004 0615 7519grid.488833.cHealth Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Musu M. Sesay
- 0000 0000 9957 7758grid.280062.eCenter for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, USA
| | - Sheryl M. Strasser
- 0000 0004 1936 7400grid.256304.6Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Urban Life Building, 140 Decatur Street, Suite 434, Atlanta, GA 30303 USA
| | - Bobbi Jo Yarborough
- 0000 0000 9957 7758grid.280062.eCenter for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, USA
| | - Brian Ahmedani
- 0000 0000 8523 7701grid.239864.2Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA ,0000 0000 8523 7701grid.239864.2Depart Behavioral Health Services, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA
| | - Lisa R. Miller-Matero
- 0000 0000 8523 7701grid.239864.2Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA ,0000 0000 8523 7701grid.239864.2Depart Behavioral Health Services, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA
| | - Stephen C. Waring
- 0000 0004 0449 6525grid.428919.fEssentia Institute of Rural Health, Duluth, USA
| | - Irina V. Haller
- 0000 0004 0449 6525grid.428919.fEssentia Institute of Rural Health, Duluth, USA
| | - Beth E. Waitzfelder
- 0000 0000 9957 7758grid.280062.eCenter for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Honolulu, USA
| | - Stacy A. Sterling
- 0000 0000 9957 7758grid.280062.eDivision of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, USA
| | - Cynthia I. Campbell
- 0000 0000 9957 7758grid.280062.eDepartment of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, USA
| | - Rulin C. Hechter
- 0000 0000 9957 7758grid.280062.eDepartment of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, USA
| | - John E. Zeber
- 0000 0001 2184 9220grid.266683.fSchool of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey F. Scherrer
- 0000 0004 1936 9342grid.262962.bDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Rebecca Rossom
- 0000 0004 0461 4886grid.280625.bHealth Partners Institute, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Greg Simon
- 0000 0004 0615 7519grid.488833.cHealth Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle, USA
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Wyse JJ, Ganzini L, Dobscha SK, Krebs EE, Zamudio J, Morasco BJ. Clinical Strategies for the Treatment and Management of Patients Prescribed Long-term Opioid Therapy. PAIN MEDICINE 2019; 20:1737-1744. [PMID: 30388259 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Across diverse health care systems, growing recognition of the harms associated with long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain has catalyzed substantial changes to policy and practice designed to promote safer prescribing and patient care. Although clear goals have been defined, how clinics and providers should most effectively implement these changes has been less well defined, and facilities and providers have had substantial flexibility to innovate. METHODS Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinicians across the United States who prescribe LTOT for chronic pain. Interviews probed the practices and initiatives providers utilized to meet opioid safety requirements and address common challenges in caring for patients prescribed LTOT. RESULTS Innovative strategies in the design and organization of clinical practice (urine drug testing, informed consent, limiting transfer requests, specialty patient panel) and resources utilized (engaged pharmacists, non-opioid pain treatments, intra-organizational collaborations) are described. CONCLUSIONS We conclude with recommendations designed to improve opioid prescribing practices, both within the VA and in other settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Wyse
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.,Oregon Health Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon
| | - Linda Ganzini
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Steven K Dobscha
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Janet Zamudio
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - Benjamin J Morasco
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Adams RS, Thomas CP, Ritter GA, Lee S, Saadoun M, Williams TV, Larson MJ. Predictors of Postdeployment Prescription Opioid Receipt and Long-term Prescription Opioid Utilization Among Army Active Duty Soldiers. Mil Med 2019; 184:e101-e109. [PMID: 30007291 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Little is known about long-term prescription opioid utilization in the Military Health System. The objectives of this study were to examine predictors of any prescription opioid receipt, and predictors of long-term opioid utilization among active duty soldiers in the year following deployment. Materials and Methods The analytic sample consisted of Army active duty soldiers returning from deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn in fiscal years 2008-2014 (N = 540,738). The Heckman probit procedure was used to jointly examine predictors of any opioid prescription receipt and long-term opioid utilization (i.e., an episode of 90 days or longer where days-supply covered at least two-thirds of days) in the postdeployment year. Predictors were based on diagnoses and characteristics of opioid prescriptions. Results More than one-third of soldiers (34.8%, n = 188,211) had opioid receipt, and among those soldiers, 3.3% had long-term opioid utilization (or 1.1% of the cohort, n = 6,188). The largest magnitude predictors of long-term opioid utilization were receiving a long-acting opioid within the first 30 days of the episode, diagnoses of chronic pain (no specified source), back/neck pain, or peripheral/central nervous system pain, and severe pain score in vital records. Conclusions Soldiers returning from deployment were more likely to receive an opioid prescription than the overall active duty population, and 1.1% initiated a long-term opioid episode. We report a declining rate of opioid receipt and long-term opioid utilization among Army members from fiscal years 2008-2014. This study demonstrates that the most important predictors of opioid receipt were not demographic factors, but generally clinical indicators of acute pain or physical trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Sayko Adams
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA
| | - Cindy Parks Thomas
- Schneider Institute for Health Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA
| | - Grant A Ritter
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA
| | - Sue Lee
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA
| | - Mayada Saadoun
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA
| | | | - Mary Jo Larson
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA
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Kuo AC, Raghunathan K, Lartigue AM, Bryan WE, Pepin MJ, Takemoto S, Wallace AW. Freedom From Opioids After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 2019; 34:893-897. [PMID: 30777627 DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2019.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, opioids are commonly prescribed to treat knee pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While surgery leads to decreased pain in most patients, a sizable minority continue to experience severe pain and consume opioids chronically after TKA. We sought to determine the population-level effect of TKA on opioid consumption by detailing the pattern of opioid prescriptions before and after surgery. METHODS We retrospectively identified US Veterans Health Administration TKA patients from 2010 to 2015. Outpatient opioid prescriptions were identified from 18 months before to 18 months after surgery, and mean daily opioid doses were calculated. Our primary end point was the achievement of opioid-freedom, defined as a period of at least 6 months without opioids. We compared the percentage of patients who were opioid-free preoperatively to the percentage who were opioid-free 18 months after surgery (no prescriptions after postoperative month 12). We identified factors associated with opioid-freedom. RESULTS In a cohort of 33,927 patients, 41% were opioid-free in the month before surgery compared to 54% 18 months after surgery (P < .001). Preoperative freedom from opioids (odds ratio, 4.59; 95% confidence interval, 4.34 to 4.85; P < .001) was more strongly associated with postoperative freedom from opioids than patient medical and social factors. CONCLUSION TKA was associated with an increase in postoperative freedom from opioids. Low preoperative dose of opioids was more strongly associated with postoperative opioid-freedom than patient characteristics, suggesting that opioid prescription patterns are a chief driver of opioid use after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III Retrospective cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred C Kuo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA; Orthopaedic Section, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Karthik Raghunathan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; The Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Alain M Lartigue
- Anesthesiology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - William E Bryan
- Pharmacy Service, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC
| | - Marc J Pepin
- Pharmacy Service, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC
| | - Steven Takemoto
- The Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC; Anesthesiology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Arthur W Wallace
- Anesthesiology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
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Ball S, Wilson B, Ober S, Mchaourab A. SCAN-ECHO for Pain Management: Implementing a Regional Telementoring Training for Primary Care Providers. PAIN MEDICINE 2019; 19:262-268. [PMID: 28525633 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective The Specialty Care Access Network-Extension for Community Health Outcomes (SCAN-ECHO) is a video teleconferencing-based training program where primary care providers are trained by a specialty care team to provide specialty care. A multidisciplinary team of pain management specialists at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center established such a program for pain management; a description and preliminary effectiveness assessment of this training program is presented. Design Primary care provider participants in the Specialty Care Access Network program in pain management completed pre- and post-training questionnaires. A subset of these participants also participated in a group session semistructured interview. Subjects Twenty-four primary care providers from Cleveland, South Texas, or Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Medical Centers who regularly attended pain management SCAN-ECHO sessions during 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014 completed pre- and post-training questionnaires. Methods Pre- and post-training questionnaires were conducted to measure confidence in treating and knowledge of pain management. Questionnaire responses were tested for significance using R. Qualitative data were analyzed using inductive coding and content analysis. Results Statistically significant increases in confidence ratings and scores on knowledge questionnaires were noted from pre- to post-pain management SCAN-ECHO training. Program participants felt more knowledgeable and reported improved communication between specialty and primary care providers. Conclusions This pilot study reveals positive outcomes in terms of primary care providers' confidence and knowledge in treating patients with chronic pain. Results suggest that involving primary care providers in a one-year academic project such as this can improve their knowledge and skills and has the potential to influence their opioid prescribing practices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Scott Ober
- Primary Care, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.,Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ali Mchaourab
- Pain Medicine Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.,Department of Anesthesiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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McDermott JD, Eguchi M, Stokes WA, Amini A, Hararah M, Ding D, Valentine A, Bradley CJ, Karam SD. Short- and Long-term Opioid Use in Patients with Oral and Oropharynx Cancer. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019; 160:409-419. [PMID: 30396321 PMCID: PMC6886698 DOI: 10.1177/0194599818808513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Opioid use and abuse is a national health care crisis, yet opioids remain the cornerstone of pain management in cancer. We sought to determine the risk of acute and chronic opioid use with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) treatment. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective population-based study. SETTING Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database from 2008 to 2011. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In total, 976 nondistant metastatic oral cavity and oropharynx patients undergoing cancer-directed treatment enrolled in Medicare were included. Opiate use was the primary end point. Univariate and multivariable logistic analyses were completed to determine risk factors. RESULTS Of the patients, 811 (83.1%) received an opioid prescription during the treatment period, and 150 patients (15.4%) had continued opioid prescriptions at 3 months and 68 (7.0%) at 6 months. Opioid use during treatment was associated with prescriptions prior to treatment (odds ratio [OR], 3.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11-5.12) and was least likely to be associated with radiation treatment alone (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.68). Risk factors for continued opioid use at both 3 and 6 months included tobacco use (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.05-4.71 and OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.44-10.24) and opioids prescribed prior to treatment (OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 2.45-5.91 and OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.95-6.50). Oxycodone prescribed as the first opioid was the least likely to lead to ongoing use at 3 and 6 months (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17-0.62 and OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10-0.67). CONCLUSION Patients with oral/oropharyngeal cancer are at a very high risk for receiving opioids as part of symptom management during treatment, and a significant portion continues use at 3 and 6 months after treatment completion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D. McDermott
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Megan Eguchi
- Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - William A. Stokes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Arya Amini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Mohammad Hararah
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ding Ding
- University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Allison Valentine
- Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cathy J. Bradley
- Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sana D. Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Zheng D, Narayan SW, Zoega H, Litchfield M, Buckley NA, Pearson SA, Schaffer AL. Anticipating the effects of restricting high-dose preparations of strong opioids in Australia: A population-based analysis to inform the current policy debate. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2019; 28:521-527. [PMID: 30790376 DOI: 10.1002/pds.4755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Countries worldwide are developing a variety of strategies to combat the opioid epidemic, such as restricting access to high-strength opioid formulations. We aimed to examine the dispensing patterns of strong opioids by dose units (DUs), age, and sex. METHODS We used Australian population-level dispensing data from January 2003 to December 2015 and categorised strong opioids by DU: very low, low, moderate, and high, corresponding to total daily doses of less than or equal to 25, 26 to 50, 51 to 100, and greater than 100 morphine milligramme equivalents, respectively. We measured trends in strong opioid use as dispensings/1000 population/year and stratified dispensing in 2015 by patient age and sex. RESULTS From 2003 to 2015, strong opioid dispensing of very low, low, moderate, and high DU increased 6.7-, 6.2-, 2.2-, and 1.8-fold, respectively. The increase in very low and low DU dispensing was driven primarily by oxycodone (5, 10, and 15 mg tablets and capsules) and buprenorphine transdermal patches. In 2015, the number of dispensings/1000 population for very low, low, moderate, and high DU were 180.3, 77.0, 52.7, and 34.8, respectively. Females aged greater than or equal to 85 years had the highest opioid use, ranging from 157.1 dispensings/1000 population for high DU to 2104.5 dispensings/1000 population for very low DU. In contrast, the high DU dispensings in males aged 25 to 64 years exceeded their female counterparts by approximately 1.3-fold. CONCLUSION Relative to moderate and high DU strong opioids, dispensing of very low and low DU strong opioids increased dramatically during the study period in Australia. Future studies investigating opioids use and harms in elderly females and males between 25 to 64 years are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Zheng
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sujita W Narayan
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Helga Zoega
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Melisa Litchfield
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Buckley
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrea L Schaffer
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Baria AM, Pangarkar S, Abrams G, Miaskowski C. Adaption of the Biopsychosocial Model of Chronic Noncancer Pain in Veterans. PAIN MEDICINE 2019; 20:14-27. [PMID: 29727005 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Population Veterans with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) are a vulnerable population whose care remains a challenge for clinicians, policy-makers, and researchers. As a result of military experience, veterans are exposed to high rates of musculoskeletal injuries, trauma, psychological stressors (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse), and social factors (e.g., homelessness, social isolation, disability, decreased access to medical care) that contribute to the magnitude and impact of CNCP. In the veteran population, sound theoretical models are needed to understand the specific physiological, psychological, and social factors that influence this unique experience. Objective This paper describes an adaption of Gatchel and colleagues' biopsychosocial model of CNCP to veterans and summarizes research findings that support each component of the revised model. The paper concludes with a discussion of important implications for the use of this revised model in clinical practice and future directions for research. Conclusions The adaption of the biopsychosocial model of CNCP for veterans provides a useful and relevant conceptual framework that can be used to guide future research and improve clinical care in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel M Baria
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare, Los Angeles, California.,School of Nursing
| | - Sanjog Pangarkar
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare, Los Angeles, California.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gary Abrams
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Rhon DI, Snodgrass SJ, Cleland JA, Sissel CD, Cook CE. Predictors of chronic prescription opioid use after orthopedic surgery: derivation of a clinical prediction rule. Perioper Med (Lond) 2018; 7:25. [PMID: 30479746 PMCID: PMC6249901 DOI: 10.1186/s13741-018-0105-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prescription opioid use at high doses or over extended periods of time is associated with adverse outcomes, including dependency and abuse. The aim of this study was to identify mediating variables that predict chronic opioid use, defined as three or more prescriptions after orthopedic surgery. Methods Individuals were ages between 18 and 50 years and undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery between 2004 and 2013. Two categories of chronic opioid use were calculated based on individuals (1) having three or more unique opioid prescriptions within 2 years and (2) still receiving opioid prescriptions > 1 year after surgery. Univariate elationships were identified for each predictor variable, then significant variables (P > 0.15) were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model to identify the most parsimonious group of predictor variables for each chronic opioid use classification. Likelihood ratios were derived from the most robust groups of variables. Results There were 1642 participants (mean age 32.5 years, SD 8.2, 54.1% male). Nine predictor variables met the criteria after bivariate analysis for potential inclusion in each multivariate model. Eight variables: socioeconomic status (from enlisted rank family), prior use of opioid medication, prior use of non-opioid pain medication, high health-seeking behavior before surgery, a preoperative diagnosis of insomnia, mental health disorder, or substance abuse were all predictive of chronic opioid use in the final model (seven variables for three or more opioid prescriptions; four variables for opioid use still at 1 year; all< 0.05). Post-test probability of having three or more opioid prescriptions was 93.7% if five of seven variables were present, and the probability of still using opioids after 1 year was 69.6% if three of four variables were present. Conclusion A combination of variables significantly predicted chronic opioid use in this cohort. Most of these variables were mediators, indicating that modifying them may be feasible, and the potential focus of interventions to decrease the risk of chronic opioid use, or at minimum better inform opioid prescribing decisions. This clinical prediction rule needs further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel I Rhon
- 1Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, JBSA Fort Sam, Houston, TX 78234 USA.,2Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Baylor University, San Antonio, TX USA.,3School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW Australia
| | - Suzanne J Snodgrass
- 3School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW Australia
| | - Joshua A Cleland
- 4Department of Physical Therapy, Franklin Pierce University, Manchester, NH USA
| | - Charles D Sissel
- 5Program Analysis and Evaluation Division, US Army Medical Command, Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234 USA
| | - Chad E Cook
- 6Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Orthopedics, Duke University, Duke MSK, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC USA
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Lasebikan VO, Ijomanta I. Non-medical prescription opioid use and opioid use disorder in the military population in Nigeria. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2018.1535005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victor O. Lasebikan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - I. Ijomanta
- Department of Psychiatry, Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
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Lisi AJ, Corcoran KL, DeRycke EC, Bastian LA, Becker WC, Edmond SN, Goertz CM, Goulet JL, Haskell SG, Higgins DM, Kawecki T, Kerns RD, Mattocks K, Ramsey C, Ruser CB, Brandt CA. Opioid Use Among Veterans of Recent Wars Receiving Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Care. PAIN MEDICINE 2018; 19:S54-S60. [PMID: 30203014 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Lisi
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kelsey L Corcoran
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Eric C DeRycke
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Lori A Bastian
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - William C Becker
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sara N Edmond
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Joseph L Goulet
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sally G Haskell
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Diana M Higgins
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Todd Kawecki
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Robert D Kerns
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kristin Mattocks
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine Ramsey
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Christopher B Ruser
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Cynthia A Brandt
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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Ashrafioun L, Allen KD, Pigeon WR. Utilization of complementary and integrative health services and opioid therapy by patients receiving Veterans Health Administration pain care. Complement Ther Med 2018; 39:8-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Scala E, Decosterd I, Faouzi M, Burnand B, Rodondi PY. Level of readiness of chronic pain patients to practise active self-care. Eur J Pain 2018; 22:1800-1812. [PMID: 29956872 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the limited alleviation of chronic pain with pharmacological treatments, various nonpharmacological and self-care approaches are often proposed that require patients' motivation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the level of readiness (LOR) to practise different types of active self-care among chronic pain patients. METHOD A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among all chronic pain patients seeking care at the Pain Center of an academic hospital from June 2013 to March 2015. Sociodemographic data, pain characteristics, treatments and the LOR to practise active self-care were investigated. RESULTS Among the 1524 eligible patients, 639 (41.9%) were included. The median pain duration was 8.5 years (interquartile range = 7.5). Two-thirds (63.7%) of the patients reported high pain-related disability, and 64.6% had used opioids during the previous six months. Most patients had a high (44.1%) or moderate (24.6%) LOR to practise active self-care. Multivariable multinomial regression analysis showed that independent factors associated with a high LOR were a higher level of education (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.90-6.13, p < 0.001), unemployed status due to medical condition (RRR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.30-6.56, p = 0.009), the use of dietary supplements 'against pain' (RRR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.52-5.04, p = 0.001) and neuropathic pain characteristics (RRR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.40-3.12, p = 0.036). Older age was a factor predicting a lower LOR (RRR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, p = 0.039). Long-term chronic pain, severe pain-related disability and the presence of a mood disorder were not associated with a lower LOR. CONCLUSION Most chronic pain patients, including those severely affected, indicated their readiness to practise active self-care methods. SIGNIFICANCE Most chronic pain patients, even those severely affected, appeared to be ready to practise active self-care therapies and we believe that further studies are needed to investigate their impact on pain and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Scala
- Pain Center and Center for integrative and complementary medecine (CEMIC), Department of Anesthesiology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - I Decosterd
- Pain Center and Center for integrative and complementary medecine (CEMIC), Department of Anesthesiology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M Faouzi
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - B Burnand
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - P-Y Rodondi
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Institute of Family Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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