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Pezzulo JD, Farronato DM, Juniewicz R, Kane LT, Kellish AS, Davis DE. Surgeon Prescribing Patterns And Perioperative Risk Factors Associated With Prolonged Opioid Use After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2024:00124635-990000000-01074. [PMID: 39197075 DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The opioid epidemic in the United States has contributed to a notable economic burden and increased mortality. Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) has become more prevalent, and opioids are commonly used for postoperative pain management. Prolonged opioid use has been associated with adverse outcomes, but the role of surgeons in this context remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors of prolonged opioid utilization after primary TSA. METHODS After obtaining institutional review board approval, a retrospective review of 4,488 primary total shoulder arthroplasties from 2014 to 2022 at a single academic institution was conducted. Patients were stratified by preoperative and postoperative opioid use, and demographic, clinical, and prescription data were collected. Prescriptions filled beyond 30 days after the index operation were considered prolonged use. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the independent risk factors associated with prolonged opioid utilization. RESULTS Among 4,488 patients undergoing primary TSA, 22% of patients developed prolonged opioid use with 70% of prolonged users being opioid-exposed preoperatively. Independent risk factors of prolonged use include patient age younger than 65 years (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.02, P < 0.001), female sex (OR 1.41, P < 0.001), race other than Caucasian (OR 1.36, P = 0.003), undergoing reverse TSA (OR 1.28, P = 0.010), residing in an urban community (OR 1.33, P = 0.039), preoperative opioid utilization (OR 6.41, P < 0.001), preoperative benzodiazepine utilization (OR 1.93, P < 0.001), and increased postoperative day 1-30 milligram morphine equivalent (OR 1.003, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION Nearly 22% of patients experienced prolonged opioid use, with preoperative opioid exposure being the most notable risk factor in addition to postoperative prescribing patterns and benzodiazepine utilization. Surgeons play a crucial role in opioid management, and understanding the risk factors can help optimize benefits while minimizing the associated risks of prolonged opioid use. Additional research is needed to establish standardized definitions and strategies for safe opioid use in orthopaedic surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Pezzulo
- From the Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (Pezzulo, Farronato, and Juniewicz), and The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA (Kane, Kellish, and Davis)
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Farronato DM, Pezzulo JD, Juniewicz R, Rondon AJ, Cox RM, Davis DE. Effects of socioeconomic burden on opioid use following total shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2024:S1058-2746(24)00406-3. [PMID: 38852706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.04.016] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preoperative opioid users experience worse outcomes and higher complication rates compared to opioid-naïve patients following shoulder arthroplasty. This study evaluates the effects of socioeconomic status, as measured by the Distressed Communities Index (DCI), on pre- and postoperative opioid use and its influence on clinical outcomes such as readmission and revision surgery. METHODS A retrospective review of patients who underwent primary shoulder arthroplasty (Current Procedural Terminology code 23472) from 2014 to 2022 at a single academic institution was performed. Exclusion criteria included arthroplasty for fracture, active malignancy, and revision arthroplasty. Demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, DCI, and clinical outcomes including 90-day readmission and revision surgery were collected. Patients were classified according to the DCI score of their zip code. Using the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database, patient pre- and postoperative opioid use in morphine milligram equivalents was gathered. RESULTS Individuals from distressed communities used more opioids within 90 days preoperatively compared to patients from prosperous, comfortable, mid-tier, and at-risk populations, respectively. Patients from distressed communities also used significantly more opioids within 90 days postoperatively compared with prosperous, comfortable, and mid-tier, respectively. Of patients from distressed communities, 35.1% developed prolonged opioid use (filling prescriptions >30 days after surgery), significantly more than all other cohorts. Among all patients, 3.5% were readmitted within 90 days and were more likely to be prolonged opioid users (38.9 vs. 21.3%, P < .001). Similarly, 1.5% of patients underwent revision surgery. Those who underwent revision were significantly more likely to be prolonged opioid users (38.2 vs. 21.7%, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS Shoulder arthroplasty patients from distressed communities use more opioids within 90 days before and after their surgery and are more likely to become prolonged opioid users, placing them at risk for readmission and revision surgery. Identifying patients at an increased risk for excess opioid use is essential to employ appropriate strategies that minimize the detrimental effects of prolonged use following surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic M Farronato
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joshua D Pezzulo
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert Juniewicz
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexander J Rondon
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan M Cox
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel E Davis
- Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Boyev A, Popat K, Gottumukkala VNR, Kwater AP, Chiang YJ, Prakash LR, Newhook TE, Arvide EM, Dewhurst WL, Bruno ML, Van Meter A, Hancher-Hodges S, Ghebremichael S, Williams U, Donahue H, Soliz J, Tzeng CWD. Postoperative pain scores and opioid use after standard bupivacaine vs. liposomal bupivacaine regional blocks for abdominal cancer surgery: A propensity score matched study. Am J Surg 2024:S0002-9610(24)00278-2. [PMID: 38789322 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.05.011] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) are widely used for abdominal surgery with the assumption that liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is more effective than standard bupivacaine (SB). METHODS This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients administered FPBs with LB or SB + admixtures (dexamethasone/dexmedetomidine) for open abdominal cancer surgery. Propensity score matching generated a 2:1 (LB:SB) matched cohort. Opioid use (mg oral morphine equivalents, OME) and severe pain (≥3 pain scores ≥7 in a 24-h period) were compared. RESULTS Opioid use was >150 mg OME in 19.9 % (29/146) LB and 16.4 % (12/73) SB patients (p = 0.586). Severe pain was experienced by 44 % (64/146) LB and 53 % (39/73) SB patients (p = 0.198). On multivariable analysis, SB vs LB choice was not associated with high opioid volume >150 mg or severe pain. CONCLUSIONS FPBs with standard bupivacaine were not associated with higher 72-h opioid use or more severe pain compared to liposomal bupivacaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Boyev
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Keyuri Popat
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vijaya N R Gottumukkala
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrzej P Kwater
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yi-Ju Chiang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura R Prakash
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Timothy E Newhook
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elsa M Arvide
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Whitney L Dewhurst
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Morgan L Bruno
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Antoinette Van Meter
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shannon Hancher-Hodges
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Semhar Ghebremichael
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Uduak Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hart Donahue
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jose Soliz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ching-Wei D Tzeng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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MacFarlane AJ, Ritter B, Uffer J, Feng L, Streicher A, Haider MN, Duquin TR. Greater Mental Health Burden is Associated With Poor Postoperative Pain Control and Increased Opioid Utilization Following Total Shoulder Arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elb Arthroplast 2024; 8:24715492231223665. [PMID: 38186672 PMCID: PMC10771065 DOI: 10.1177/24715492231223665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Prolonged opioid use is associated with higher complications and worse patient-reported outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Identified risk factors for prolonged postoperative use are related to several medical comorbidities, gender, diagnoses of anxiety or depressive disorders, and preoperative opioid use. In this study, we hypothesized that patient-reported mental health characteristics can help to identify patients at risk of worse postoperative pain control, worse sleep, and higher opioid utilization following TSA. Methods Ninety-three consecutive patients were asked to fill out 2 mental health questionnaires prior to undergoing TSA. Following surgery, patients filled out a daily pain diary to track their daily pain, pain medication use, and quality and duration of their sleep for 30 days. Preoperative opioid use and postoperative refill were determined by the New York State Prescription Monitoring Program. Mixed-model linear regressions were conducted. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results Postoperative opioid refill was associated with female gender, preoperative opioid therapy, higher inpatient opioid use, worse anxiety, depression, somatization, and pain catastrophizing scores. The number of days using opioids postoperatively was associated with worse pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) and somatization scores (patient health questionnaire-15). Preoperative opioid therapy was associated with worse somatization scores, whereas no opioids used after surgery were associated with better somatization scores. Worse sleep quality and duration were associated with worse PCS scores. Conclusion A greater mental health burden is associated with worse postoperative pain control and higher opioid utilization during the acute postoperative period. This is especially evident in the pain catastrophizing and somatization domains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Ritter
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Joshua Uffer
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Lin Feng
- UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Buffalo, New York
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Karthika C, Malligarjunan N, Jothi R, Kasthuri T, Alexpandi R, Ravi AV, Pandian SK, Gowrishankar S. Two novel phages PSPa and APPa inhibit planktonic, sessile and persister populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and mitigate its virulence in Zebrafish model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19033. [PMID: 37923820 PMCID: PMC10624879 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45313-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study explores the avenue of phage therapy as an alternative antimicrobial therapeutic approach to counter multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Our study investigated two novel virulent phages PSPa and APPa, specific to P. aeruginosa, in which in vitro evaluations were carried out to assess the therapeutic potential of phages. Both the identified phages exhibited host specificity by showing antagonistic activity of about 96.43% (27/28) and 92.85% (26/28) towards the 28 MDR clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. The PSPa phage was found to have linear dsDNA with a sequence length of 66,368 bp and 92 ORFs, of which 32 were encoded for known functions of the phage life cycle and the remaining 60 were hypothetical functions. The APPa phage was found to have linear dsDNA with 59,591 bp of genome length and 79 ORFs, of which 15 were found to have known phage functions and the remaining 64 were found to be hypothetical proteins. Notably, the genome of both the phages lacks genes coding for tRNA, rRNA, and tmRNA. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that PSPa and APPa share > 95% sequence similarity with previously sequenced Pseudomonas viruses of their respective families. Further, the in vivo efficacy evaluation using the zebrafish model revealed that the treatment with PSPa and APPa has remarkably improved the survival rate of bacterial-infected zebrafish, reinforcing the anti-infective potential of the isolated phages PSPa and APPa against P. aeruginosa infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrasekar Karthika
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nambiraman Malligarjunan
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ravi Jothi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Thirupathi Kasthuri
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajaiah Alexpandi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arumugam Veera Ravi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Shanmugaraj Gowrishankar
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Brooke BS, Bayless K, Anderson Z, Holeman TA, Zhang C, Hales J, Buys MJ. Opioid tapering after surgery and its association with patient-reported outcomes and behavioral changes: a mixed-methods analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2023:rapm-2023-104807. [PMID: 37865394 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2023-104807] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid tapering after surgery is recommended among patients with chronic opioid use, but it is unclear how this process affects their quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate how opioid tapering following surgery was associated with patient-reported outcome measures related to pain control and behavioral changes that affect quality of life. METHODS We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study at a VA Medical Center among patients with chronic opioid use who underwent a spectrum of orthopedic, vascular, thoracic, urology, otolaryngology, and general surgery procedures between 2018 and 2020. Patients were stratified based on the extent that opioid tapering was successful (complete, partial, and no-taper) by 90 days after surgery, followed by qualitative interviews of 10 patients in each taper group. Longitudinal patient-reported outcome measures related to pain intensity, interference, and catastrophizing were compared using Kruskal Wallis tests over the 90-day period after surgery. Qualitative interviews were conducted among patients in each taper group to identify themes associated with the impact of opioid tapering after surgery on quality of life. RESULTS We identified 211 patients with chronic opioid use (92% male, median age 66 years) who underwent surgery during the time period, including 42 (20%) individuals with complete tapering, 48 (23%) patients with partial tapering, and 121 (57%) patients with no taper of opioids following surgery. Patients who did not taper were more likely to have a history of opioid use disorder (10%-partial, 2%-complete vs 17%-no taper, p<0.05) and be discharged on a higher median morphine equivalent daily dose (52-partial, 30-complete vs 60-no taper; p<0.05) than patients in the partial and complete taper groups. Pain interference (-7.2-partial taper and -9.8-complete taper vs -3.5-no taper) and pain catastrophizing (-21.4-partial taper and -16.5-complete taper vs -1.7-no taper) scores for partial and complete taper groups were significantly improved at 90 days relative to baseline when compared with patients in the no-taper group (p<0.05 for both comparisons), while pain intensity was similar between groups. Finally, patients achieving complete and partial opioid tapering were more likely to report improvements in activity, mood, thinking, and sleep following surgery as compared with patients who failed to taper. CONCLUSIONS Partial and complete opioid tapering within 90 days after surgery among patients with chronic opioid use was associated with improved patient-reported measures of pain control as well as behaviors that impact a patient's quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Sands Brooke
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- IDEAS 2.0, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Kimberlee Bayless
- Anesthesiology, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Zachary Anderson
- Anesthesiology, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Teryn A Holeman
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Chong Zhang
- Internal Medicine-Epidemiology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Julie Hales
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- IDEAS 2.0, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Michael J Buys
- Anesthesiology, Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Neogi T, Colloca L. Placebo effects in osteoarthritis: implications for treatment and drug development. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:613-626. [PMID: 37697077 PMCID: PMC10615856 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-01021-4] [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] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis worldwide, affecting ~500 million people, yet there are no effective treatments to halt its progression. Without any structure-modifying agents, management of OA focuses on ameliorating pain and improving function. Treatment approaches typically have modest efficacy, and many patients have contraindications to recommended pharmacological treatments. Drug development for OA is hindered by the gradual and progressive nature of the disease and the targeting of established disease in clinical trials. Additionally, new medications for OA cannot receive regulatory approval without demonstrating improvements in both structure (pathological features of OA) and symptoms (reduced pain and/or improved function). In clinical trials, people with OA show high 'placebo responses', which hamper the ability to identify new effective treatments. Placebo responses refer to the individual variability in response to placebos given in the context of clinical trials and other settings. Placebo effects refer specifically to short-lasting improvements in symptoms that occur because of physiological changes. To mitigate the effects of the placebo phenomenon, we must first understand what it is, how it manifests, how to identify placebo responders in OA trials and how these insights can be used to improve clinical trials in OA. Leveraging placebo responses and effects in clinical practice might provide additional avenues to augment symptom management of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhina Neogi
- Section of Rheumatology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain and Translation Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Placebo Beyond Opinions Center, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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van Brug HE, Nelissen RGHH, Rosendaal FR, van Dorp ELA, Bouvy ML, Dahan A, Gademan MGJ. What Changes Have Occurred in Opioid Prescriptions and the Prescribers of Opioids Before TKA and THA? A Large National Registry Study. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2023; 481:1716-1728. [PMID: 37099415 PMCID: PMC10427048 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid use before TKA or THA is linked to a higher risk of revision surgery and less functional improvement. In Western countries, the frequency of preoperative opioid use has varied, and robust information on temporal changes in opioid prescriptions over time (in the months before surgery as well as annual changes) and among prescribers is necessary to pinpoint opportunities to improve on low-value care patterns, and when they are recognized, to target physician populations for intervention strategies. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES (1) What proportion of patients undergoing arthroplasties receive an opioid prescription in the year before TKA or THA, and what were the preoperative opioid prescription rates over time between 2013 and 2018? (2) Does the preoperative prescription rate vary between 12 and 10 months and between 3 and 1 months in the year before TKA or THA, and did it change between 2013 and 2018? (3) Which medical professionals were the main prescribers of preoperative opioids 1 year before TKA or THA? METHODS This was a large-database study drawn from longitudinally maintained national registry sources in the Netherlands. The Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics was linked to the Dutch Arthroplasty Register from 2013 to 2018. TKAs and THAs performed because of osteoarthritis in patients older than 18 years, which were also uniquely linked by age, gender, patient postcode, and low-molecular weight heparin use, were eligible. Between 2013 and 2018, 146,052 TKAs were performed: 96% (139,998) of the TKAs were performed for osteoarthritis in patients older than 18 years; of them, 56% (78,282) were excluded because of our linkage criteria. Some of the linked arthroplasties could not be linked to a community pharmacy, which was necessary to follow patients over time, leaving 28% (40,989) of the initial TKAs as our study population. Between 2013 and 2018, 174,116 THAs were performed: 86% (150,574) were performed for osteoarthritis in patients older than 18 years, one arthroplasty was excluded because of an outlier opioid dose, and a further 57% (85,724 of 150,574) were excluded because of our linkage criteria. Some of the linked arthroplasties could not be linked to a community pharmacy, leaving 28% (42,689 of 150,574) of THAs, which were performed between 2013 and 2018. For both TKA and THA, the mean age before surgery was 68 years, and roughly 60% of the population were women. We calculated the proportion of patients undergoing arthroplasties who had at least one opioid prescription in the year before arthroplasty and compared data from 2013 to 2018. Opioid prescription rates are given as defined daily dosages and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per arthroplasty. Opioid prescriptions were assessed by preoperative quarter and by operation year. Possible changes over time in opioid exposure were investigated using linear regression, adjusted for age and gender, in which the month of operation since January 2013 was used as the determinant and MME as the outcome. This was done for all opioids combined and per opioid type. Possible changes in opioid prescription rates in the year before arthroplasty were assessed by comparing the time period of 1 to 3 months before surgery with the other quarters. Additionally, preoperative prescriptions per operation year were assessed per prescriber category: general practitioners, orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and others. All analyses were stratified by TKA or THA. RESULTS The proportion of patients undergoing arthroplasties who had an opioid prescription before TKA increased from 25% (1079 of 4298) in 2013 to 28% (2097 of 7460) in 2018 (difference 3% [95% CI 1.35% to 4.65%]; p < 0.001), and before THA increased from 25% (1111 to 4451) to 30% (2323 to 7625) (difference 5% [95% CI 3.8% to 7.2%]; p < 0.001). The mean preoperative opioid prescription rate increased over time between 2013 and 2018 for both TKA and THA. For TKA, an adjusted monthly increase of 3.96 MME was observed (95% CI 1.8 to 6.1 MME; p < 0.001). For THA, the monthly increase was 3.8 MME (95% CI 1.5 to 6.0; p = 0.001. For both TKA and THA, there was a monthly increase in the preoperative oxycodone rate (3.8 MME [95% CI 2.5 to 5.1]; p < 0.001 and 3.6 [95% CI 2.6 to 4.7]; p < 0.001, respectively). For TKA, but not for THA, there was a monthly decrease in tramadol prescriptions (-0.6 MME [95% CI -1.0 to -0.2]; p = 0.006). Regarding the opioids prescribed in the year before surgery, there was a mean increase of 48 MME (95% CI 39.3 to 56.7 MME; p < 0.001) for TKA between 10 and 12 months and the last 3 months before surgery. For THA, this increase was 121 MME (95% CI 110 to 131 MME; p < 0.001). Regarding possible differences between 2013 and 2018, we only found differences in the period 10 to 12 months before TKA (mean difference 61 MME [95% CI 19.2 to 103.3]; p = 0.004) and the period 7 to 9 months before TKA (mean difference 66 MME [95% CI 22.0 to 110.9]; p = 0.003). For THA, there was an increase in the MMEs prescribed between 2013 and 2018 for all four quarters, with mean differences ranging from 43.9 to 55.4 MME (p < 0.05). The average proportion of preoperative opioid prescriptions prescribed by general practitioners ranged between 82% and 86% (41,037 of 49,855 for TKA and 49,137 of 57,289 for THA), between 4% and 6% (2924 of 49,855 for TKA and 2461 of 57,289 for THA), by orthopaedic surgeons, 1% by rheumatologists (409 of 49,855 for TKA and 370 of 57,289 for THA), and between 9% and 11% by other physicians (5485 of 49,855 for TKA and 5321 of 57,289 for THA). Prescriptions by orthopaedic surgeons increased over time, from 3% to 7% for THA (difference 4% [95% CI 3.6 to 4.9]) and 4% to 10% for TKA (difference 6% [95% CI 5% to 7%]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Between 2013 and 2018, preoperative opioid prescriptions increased in the Netherlands, mainly because of a shift to more oxycodone prescriptions. We also observed an increase in opioid prescriptions in the year before surgery. Although general practitioners were the main prescribers of preoperative oxycodone, prescriptions by orthopaedic surgeons also increased during the study period. Orthopaedic surgeons should address opioid use and its associated negative effects in preoperative consultations. More intradisciplinary collaboration seems important to limit the prescribing of preoperative opioids. Additionally, research is necessary to assess whether opioid cessation before surgery reduces the risk of adverse outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, therapeutic study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E. van Brug
- Department of Orthopaedics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rob G. H. H. Nelissen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Frits R. Rosendaal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eveline L. A. van Dorp
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel L. Bouvy
- Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Albert Dahan
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike G. J. Gademan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Complete opioid cessation after surgery improves patient-reported pain measures among chronic opioid users. Surgery 2022; 172:943-948. [PMID: 35688743 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preoperative chronic opioid use is common, but it is unclear whether complete opioid tapering can be achieved postoperatively without adversely affecting pain control and quality of life. This study was designed to assess the association between complete opioid tapering after surgery and patient-reported outcomes for pain intensity and pain interference. METHODS We identified chronic opioid use patients undergoing a spectrum of nonemergency surgical procedures at a single Veterans Affairs medical institution between December 2017 and 2021. All patients were prospectively followed by a transitional pain service that promoted opioid tapering, assessed opioid use (morphine milligram equivalent), and patient-reported outcomes measurement information system for pain intensity (PROMIS-3a) and pain interference (PROMIS-6b). After stratifying based on whether complete versus partial/no opioid tapering was achieved after surgery, longitudinal changes in patient-reported outcomes and morphine milligram equivalents were compared over time. Independent predictors of complete opioid tapering were assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS In total, 341 surgical patients (91% male, mean age 64 years) with chronic opioid use underwent surgery during the study period, of which 44 (13%) completely tapered off opioids within 60 days after discharge from the hospital. Patients who completely tapered had significant improvement in the change in patient-reported outcomes for pain intensity and interference with significant differences at 30 and 60 days after discharge for both measures when compared to the partial/no taper group (both P < .05). In risk-adjusted analyses, patients with lower baseline morphine milligram equivalents and those staying longer in the hospital were more likely to achieve complete opioid tapering (both P < .01). CONCLUSION Complete opioid tapering can be successfully achieved after surgery among patients with chronic opioid use with corresponding improvements in self-reported pain intensity and pain interference. Our results suggest that the highest potential for improving patient-reported outcomes with opioid tapering occurs among patients undergoing orthopedic procedures early after surgical discharge.
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