Persistent Opioid Use After Hysterectomy in the United States, 2005-2015

Long-Term Opioid Therapy and Risk of Opioid Overdose by Derived Clinical Indication in North Carolina, 2006-2018

PURPOSE

Long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) has been shown to be associated with opioid overdose, but the definition of LTOT varies widely across studies. We use a rigorous LTOT definition to examine risk of opioid overdose by duration of treatment.

METHODS

Data were from a large private health insurance provider in North Carolina linked to mortality records from 2006-2018. Eligible patients were adults (18-64) newly initiating opioid therapy after a pain diagnosis or surgery. We defined LTOT as ≥ 1 opioid prescription per month totaling ≥ 60 days' supply within 90 days. We used inverse probability (IP)-weighted cumulative incidence functions to estimate three-year risk of opioid overdose and IP-weighted Fine-Gray models to estimate sub-distribution hazard ratios, comparing LTOT to short- to medium-term opioid therapy (SMTOT). We also examined modification by derived indication of acute pain or surgery versus chronic pain.

RESULTS

We identified 491 369 patients, and 1.7% were exposed to LTOT. The three-year risk of opioid overdose was 0.3 percentage points (RDw = 0.003, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.005) higher in LTOT patients compared to patients with SMTOT. The weighted hazard of opioid overdose was 4.4 times as high (HRw 4.42, 95% CI 2.41, 8.11) among patients exposed to LTOT versus SMTOT. We did not find meaningful modification by clinical indication for opioid therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to LTOT was associated with increased risk of opioid overdose in this population of privately insured patients using a rigorous definition of LTOT. These findings confirm the importance of guidelines to minimize duration of opioid therapy whenever possible.

Hysterectomy and medical financial hardship among U.S. women

OBJECTIVE

Hysterectomy is one of the common surgical procedures for women in the United States. Studies show that hysterectomy is associated with elevated risk of developing chronic conditions, whichmay cause financial toxicity in patients. This study aimed to assess whether women who underwent hysterectomy had a higher risk of experiencing medical financial hardship compared to women who didn't.

METHODS

Using data on 32,823 adult women from the 2019 and 2021 waves of the National Health Interview Survey, we estimated binomial and multinomial logistic regressions to assess the relationship between hysterectomy and financial hardship, defined as problems paying or unable to pay any medical bills. Further, we performed a Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) decomposition to examine whether the association could be explained by chronic comorbidity.

RESULTS

While the prevalence of financial hardship was 13.6 % among all women, it was 16.2 % among women who underwent a hysterectomy. The adjusted odds of experiencing medical financial hardship among women with a hysterectomy were 1.36 (95 % CI: 1.22-1.52) times that of their counterparts who did not have a hysterectomy. The KHB decomposition suggested that 34.5 % of the size of the effect was attributable to chronic conditions. Women who had a hysterectomy were also 1.45 (95 % CI: 1.26-1.67) times more likely to have unpaid medical debts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that women, who underwent a hysterectomy in the US, were vulnerable to medical financial hardship. Policy makers and health professionals should be made aware of this issue to help women coping against this adversity.

Postoperative Opioid Administration and Prescription Practices Following Hysterectomy in Two Tertiary Care Centres: A Comparative Cohort Study between Canada and Austria

Background: In light of the opioid epidemic, opioid-prescribing modalities for postoperative pain management have been discussed controversially and show a wide variation across geographic regions. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative pain treatment regimes. Methods: We performed a matched cohort study of women undergoing hysterectomy in Austria (n = 200) and Canada (n = 200). We aimed to compare perioperative opioid medications, converted to morphine equivalent dose (MED) and doses of non-opioid analgesic (NOA) within the first 24 h after hysterectomy, and opioid prescriptions at discharge between the two cohorts. Results: The total MED received intraoperatively, in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) and during the first 24 h after surgery, was similar in both cohorts (145.59 vs. 137.87; p = 0.17). Women in the Austrian cohort received a higher MED intraoperatively compared to the Canadian cohort (117.24 vs. 79.62; p < 0.001) but a lower MED in the PACU (25.96 vs. 30.42; p = 0.04). The primary outcome, MED within 24 h in the postoperative ward, was markedly lower in the Austrian compared to the Canadian cohort (2.36 vs. 27.98; p < 0.001). In a regression analysis, only the variables "Country" and "mode of hysterectomy" affected this outcome. A total of 98.5% in the Canadian cohort were given an opioid prescription at discharge vs. 0% in the Austrian cohort. Conclusions: Our analysis reveals marked differences between Austria and Canada regarding pain management practices following elective hysterectomy; the significantly higher intraoperative and significantly lower postoperative MED administration in the Austrian cohort compared to the Canadian cohort seems to be significantly affected by each country's cultural attitudes towards pain management; this may have significant public health consequences and warrants further research.

A prospective cohort study on perioperative percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia: safety and efficacy analysis

With the recent emergence of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) as a promising treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), there is a growing need for research on its safety and efficacy. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PBC in the treatment of TN patients during the perioperative period. This study involved a total of 400 TN patients who were selected and treated with PBC at our institution. The clinical data and short-term outcomes were analyzed based on sex, initial PBC treatment for TN, and subsequent PBC treatment for recurrent TN after previous PBC or microvascular decompression (MVD) or radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT). No statistically significant difference was found when comparing postoperative pain relief between male and female patients with TN. Nevertheless, female patients were found to be more vulnerable than male patients to abnormal facial sensations (P = 0.001), diplopia (P = 0.015), postoperative headache (P = 0.012), and hyposmia (P = 0.029). Additionally, it was observed that there was no substantial difference in the postoperative pain relief rate between the first-time PBC group and PBC for recurrent TN patients postoperatively following procedures such as PBC, MVD, and RFT. In conclusion, this study has shown that PBC treatment is effective in managing TN in both males and females, regardless of whether the treatment was administered as a primary intervention or following prior surgical procedures such as PBC, MVD, or RFT. Nonetheless, it is noted that the risk of postoperative complications appears to be higher in female patients compared to male patients.

Age and postoperative opioid use in women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to explore the relation between patient age and postoperative opioid use up to 24 hours following pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study following 335 women ranging in age from 26 to 82 years who underwent surgery for multi-compartment POP at a tertiary center in Alberta, Canada. Patient characteristics were measured using baseline questionnaires. Perioperative data were collected from medical chart review during and up to 24 hours following surgery. We used logistic regression to analyze the odds of being opioid-free and linear regression to analyze mean differences in opioid dose, measured as total morphine equivalent daily dose, exploring for a potential non-linear effect of age. Adjusted models controlled for preoperative pain, surgical characteristics and patient health factors.

RESULTS

Overall, age was positively associated with greater odds of being opioid-free in the first 24 hours after surgery (adjusted odds ratio per increasing year of age = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.09, n = 332 women). Among opioid users, age was inversely associated with total opioid dose (adjusted mean difference per increasing year of age = 0.71 mg morphine equivalent daily dose, 95% CI -0.99 to -0.44, n = 204 women). There was no evidence of a non-linear relation between age and postoperative opioid use or dose.

CONCLUSIONS

In the context of POP surgery, we found that younger women were more likely to use opioids after surgery and to use a higher dose in the first 24 hours when compared with older women. These findings support physicians to consider age when counseling POP patients regarding pain management after surgery, and to direct resources aimed at opioid-free pain control towards younger patients.

Perioperative opioid dispensing and persistent use after benign hysterectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis was conducted to (1) assess the quantity and dose of perioperatively dispensed opioids for benign hysterectomy by procedure route and (2) identify the predictors of persistent opioid use after the procedure.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched from study inception to 25 March 2022.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies reporting data on opioid dispensing among patients undergoing benign hysterectomy were considered eligible. The primary outcome was the dosage of opioids dispensed perioperatively (from 30 preoperative days to 21 postoperative days). The secondary outcome was the predictors of persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy (from 3 months to 3 years postoperatively). Total opioid dispensing was measured in morphine milligram equivalents units.

METHODS

The random-effects model was used to pool the mean differences or odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 8 studies presenting data on 377,569 women undergoing benign hysterectomy were included. Of these women, 83% (95% confidence interval, 81-84) were dispensed opioids during the perioperative period. The average amount of perioperatively dispensed opioids was 143.5 morphine milligram equivalents (95% confidence interval, 40-247). Women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy were dispensed a significantly lower amount of opioids than those undergoing laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomies. The overall rate of persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy was 5% (95% confidence interval, 2-8). Younger patient age (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.63), smoking history (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-2.10), alcohol use (odds ratio, 3.16; 95% confidence interval, 2.34-4.27), back pain (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.05), and fibromyalgia (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-1.83) were significantly associated with a higher risk of persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy. However, there was no significant effect of hysterectomy route and operative complexity on persistent opioid use postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative opioid dispensing was significantly dependent on the route of hysterectomy, with the lowest dispensed morphine milligram equivalents of opioids for vaginal hysterectomy and the highest for abdominal hysterectomy. Nevertheless, hysterectomy route did not significantly predict persistent opioid use postoperatively, whereas younger age, smoking, alcohol use, back pain, and fibromyalgia were significantly associated with persistent opioid use.

Prescription Opioid Use for Acute Pain and Persistent Opioid Use After Gynecologic Surgery: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the amount of opioid medication used by patients and the prevalence of persistent opioid use after discharge for gynecologic surgery for benign indications.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to October 2020.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Studies with data on gynecologic surgical procedures for benign indications and the amount of outpatient opioids consumed, or the incidence of either persistent opioid use or opioid-use disorder postsurgery were included. Two reviewers independently screened citations and extracted data from eligible studies.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Thirty-six studies (37 articles) met inclusion criteria. Data were extracted from 35 studies; 23 studies included data on opioids consumed after hospital discharge, and 12 studies included data on persistent opioid use after gynecologic surgery. Average morphine milligram equivalents (MME) used in the 14 days after discharge were 54.0 (95% CI 39.9-68.0, seven tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) across all gynecologic surgery types, 35.0 (95% CI 0-75.12, 4.5 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) after a vaginal hysterectomy, 59.5 (95% CI 44.4-74.6, eight tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) after laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 108.1 (95% CI 80.5-135.8, 14.5 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) after abdominal hysterectomy. Patients used 22.4 MME (95% CI 12.4-32.3, three tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) within 24 hours of discharge after laparoscopic procedures without hysterectomy and 79.8 MME (95% CI 37.1-122.6, 10.5 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) from discharge to 7 or 14 days postdischarge after surgery for prolapse. Persistent opioid use occurred in about 4.4% of patients after gynecologic surgery, but this outcome had high heterogeneity due to variation in populations and definitions of the outcome.

CONCLUSION

On average, patients use the equivalent of 15 or fewer 5-mg oxycodone tablets (or equivalent) in the 2 weeks after discharge after major gynecologic surgery for benign indications. Persistent opioid use occurred in 4.4% of patients who underwent gynecologic surgery for benign indications. Our findings could help surgeons minimize overprescribing and reduce medication diversion or misuse.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42020146120.

Perioperative Pain Management With Opioid Analgesics in Colpopexy Increases Risk of New Persistent Opioid Usage

IMPORTANCE

Although the use of perioperative pain medications is highly investigated, limited studies have examined the usage of pain medication for post hysterectomy prolapse repair and the few that have have been restricted to smaller sample sizes.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to assess the association of perioperative opioid usage after posthysterectomy prolapse repairs with development of new persistent opioid usage.

STUDY DESIGN

The TriNetX Diamond Research Network was queried to create our cohorts of opioid-naive adult women with vaginal repair or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. The primary study outcomes were (1) the rate of perioperative opioid usage and (2) development of new persistent opioid usage. All cohorts were matched on age, race, ethnicity, chronic kidney disease, hypertensive diseases, ischemic heart disease, diseases of the liver, obstructive sleep apnea, affective mood disorders, pelvic and perineal pain, obesity, tobacco use, and utilization of office/outpatient, inpatient, or emergency department services.

RESULTS

We identified 10,414 opioid-naive women who underwent laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and 13,305 opioid-naive women who underwent vaginal reconstruction. Rates of perioperative opioid usage were higher after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. Rates of developing new opioid usage were higher in both surgical-approach populations that received perioperative opioids compared with those that did not. Rates of new and persistent opioid usage did not differ by surgical approach when stratified by perioperative opioid usage.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified that opioid dependence may occur after surgery if patients are given opioids within 7 days of either approach, associating opioid dependence with perioperative opioid usage rather than the approach taken.

Positive Association between Peri-Surgical Opioid Exposure and Post-Discharge Opioid-Related Outcomes

Background: Multiple studies have investigated the epidemic of persistent opioid use as a common postsurgical complication. However, there exists a knowledge gap in the association between the level of opioid exposure in the peri-surgical setting and post-discharge adverse outcomes to patients and healthcare settings. We analyzed the association between peri-surgical opioid exposure use and post-discharge outcomes, including persistent postsurgical opioid prescription, opioid-related symptoms (ORS), and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU). Methods: A retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing cesarean delivery, hysterectomy, spine surgery, total hip arthroplasty, or total knee arthroplasty in an academic healthcare system between January 2015 and June 2018. Peri-surgical opioid exposure was converted into morphine milligram equivalents (MME), then grouped into two categories: high (>median MME of each surgery cohort) or low (≤median MME of each surgery cohort) MME groups. The rates of persistent opioid use 30 and 90 days after discharge were compared using logistic regression. Secondary outcomes, including ORS and HCRU during the 180-day follow-up, were descriptively compared between the high and low MME groups. Results: The odds ratios (95% CI) of high vs. low MME for persistent opioid use after 30 and 90 days of discharge were 1.38 (1.24−1.54) and 1.41 (1.24−1.61), respectively. The proportion of patients with one or more ORS diagnoses was greater among the high-MME group than the low-MME group (27.2% vs. 21.2%, p < 0.01). High vs. low MME was positively associated with the rate of inpatient admission, emergency department admissions, and outpatient visits. Conclusions: Greater peri-surgical opioid exposure correlates with a statistically and clinically significant increase in post-discharge adverse opioid-related outcomes. The study findings warrant intensive monitoring for patients receiving greater peri-surgical opioid exposure.

Use and misuse of opioid after gynecologic surgery

Postoperative opioid use following gynecologic surgery may be necessary for effective treatment of pain; however, it can result in significant side effects, adverse reactions, and negative health consequences, including prolonged problematic use. Surgeons and healthcare providers of patients recovering from gynecologic procedures should be aware of effective strategies that can decrease the need for opioid use, while providing high-quality pain management. These include adherence to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols, particularly the use of multimodal analgesia management. When prescribing opioids, providers should adhere to responsible prescribing practices to minimize the risk of inappropriate and/or long-term opioid use.

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for prevention of postoperative pain in women undergoing laparoscopic and robotic gynaecological surgery

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To evaluate the benefits and harms of TAP blocks for the prevention of postoperative pain in women undergoing laparoscopic and robotic gynaecological surgery compared to no block, sham block, or injection of local anaesthetic. 

Underscreening, overscreening, and guideline-adherent cervical cancer screening in a national cohort

OBJECTIVE

To explore rates of under- and overscreening for cervical cancer among a national cohort.

METHODS

The MarketScan database, a national administrative database of employee-sponsored insurance, was queried for elements relevant to cervical cancer screening among women aged 21-65 with 6 years of continuous enrollment (2015-2019). Average-risk women were defined as those without high-risk medical conditions or abnormal screening histories, and without evidence of hysterectomy with removal of the cervix for benign indications. Average-risk women were considered adequately screened if they had Pap tests alone at 2.5-3.5 year intervals, or HPV tests or co-tests at 4.5-5.5 year intervals. Logistic regressions were used to predict the odds of receiving guideline-adherent screening, underscreening, and overscreening.

RESULTS

Among 1,872,809 eligible patients, 1,471,063 (78.5%) qualified for routine screening. Of these, only 18.1% received guideline-adherent screening, and 25.4% were unscreened during the 6-year period. Younger women (aged 21-39) were more likely to be overscreened [OR 1.46]. Older women (aged 50-64) were more likely to be underscreened or unscreened during the study period [OR 2.54]. Guideline-adherent screening was highest with HPV testing alone (80%) followed by co-testing (44%), and lowest with cytology alone (15%). A total of 329,062 women in this general population sample (18%) met high-risk criteria that required increased frequency of screening.

CONCLUSIONS

High rates of both underscreening and overscreening indicate a need for additional strategies to improve guideline-adherent care.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

N/A.

Optimizing post-operative opiate prescribing following gynecologic surgery

•

Procedure based opiate prescribing often does not reflect patient opiate utilization resulting in overprescribing.

•

Using patient opiate utilization to determine the discharge opiate prescription lowers the quantity of opiate prescribed.

•

Patient-based opiate prescription recommendations can be successfully implemented into discharge order sets.

Background

Post-operative opiate prescribing has traditionally been stratified by procedure type with little regard for patient opiate utilization. We sought to evaluate peri-operative factors associated with patient opiate utilization post-operatively to develop, implement, and assess a discharge prescribing intervention.

Study design

This was a quality improvement study of opiate prescribing practices for patients undergoing gynecologic surgery on an enhanced recovery pathway (ERAS) pre- and post-discharge prescription intervention. In the pre-intervention cohort (12/2018 to 05/2019), peri-operative factors (demographic, procedure, and pain scores) associated with post-operative patient opiate usage and quantity of opiate prescribed were identified. A discharge planning intervention based solely on opiate usage was implemented. The pre- and post-intervention cohort (07/2020 to 09/2020) were compared to assess changes in post-operative opiate prescribing and refill requests.

Results

There were 220 patients in the pre-intervention cohort and 120 patients post-intervention. Post-operative opiate usage in the pre-intervention cohort was correlated only with pain score and age (p < 0.001, p = 0.04). Quantity of opiate prescribed was correlated only with procedure type and not reflective of patient opiate usage. Using this information, a discharge planning intervention for opiate prescription informed by opiate usage in the twenty-four hours prior to discharge was added to the discharge order set. Post-intervention, adherence to recommended prescription was 40.8%. Opiate prescriptions decreased from a mean 27.3 tablets to 14.8 tablets (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A tailored, patient specific approach to post-operative opiate prescribing can significantly decrease the quantity of opiates prescribed.

Predictors of new persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy in the United States

BACKGROUND

Despite substantial reductions in the past decade, prescription opioids continue to cause widespread morbidity and mortality in the United States. Little is known regarding patterns and predictors of opioid use among women undergoing benign hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the incidence and predictors of new persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy among opioid-naïve women from a set of demographic, operative, and opioid prescription characteristics of patients.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective cohort study, we identified women undergoing benign hysterectomy from 2011 to 2016 using a validated national insurance claims database (IBM MarketScan Commercial Database). After excluding women with prevalent opioid use (from 365 to 31 days preoperatively), we identified patients who received a perioperative opioid prescription (30 days before to 14 days after hysterectomy) and evaluated them for new persistent opioid use, defined as at least 1 prescription from 15 to 90 days and at least 1 prescription from 91 to 365 days postoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine demographic, clinical, operative, and opioid prescription-related factors associated with new persistent use. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, and Clinical Classification Software codes were used to identify hysterectomies, preoperative pain and psychiatric diagnoses, surgical indications, and surgical complications included as covariates.

RESULTS

We identified 114,260 women who underwent benign hysterectomy and were not prevalent opioid users, of which 93,906 (82.2%) received at least 1 perioperative opioid prescription. Of 93,906 women, 4334 (4.6%) developed new persistent opioid use. Logistic regression demonstrated that new persistent use odds is significantly increased by younger age (18-34 years; adjusted odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-2.30), southern geographic location (adjusted odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-2.27), preoperative psychiatric and pain disorders (anxiety: adjusted odds ratio, 1.20 [95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.33]; arthritis: adjusted odds ratio, 1.30 [95% confidence interval, 1.21-1.40]), >1 perioperative prescription (adjusted odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-1.88), mood disorder medication use (adjusted odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-1.64), tobacco smoking (adjusted odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-1.89), and surgical complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-2.00). Although statistically nonsignificant, total morphine milligram equivalent of ≥300 in the first perioperative prescription increased persistent use likelihood by 9% (95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.17). Dispensing of a first perioperative prescription before the surgery, as opposed to after, increased new persistent use odds by 61% (95% confidence interval, 1.50-1.72). Each additional perioperative day covered by a prescription increased the likelihood of persistent use by 2% (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.03). In contrast, minimally invasive hysterectomy (laparoscopic: adjusted odds ratio, 0.89 [95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.88]; vaginal: adjusted odds ratio, 0.82 [95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.93]) and a more recent surgery year (2016 vs reference 2011: adjusted odds ratio 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.65) significantly decreased its likelihood.

CONCLUSION

New persistent opioid use after hysterectomy was associated with several patient, operative, and opioid prescription-related factors. Considering these factors may be beneficial in counseling patients and shared decision-making about perioperative prescription to decrease the risk of persistent opioid use.

Impacts of Initial Prescription Length and Prescribing Limits on Risk of Prolonged Postsurgical Opioid Use

BACKGROUND

In response to concerns about opioid addiction following surgery, many states have implemented laws capping the days supplied for initial postoperative prescriptions. However, few studies have examined changes in the risk of prolonged opioid use associated with the initial amount prescribed.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of prolonged opioid use associated with the length of initial opioid prescribed and the potential impact of prescribing limits.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Using Medicare insurance claims (2007-2017), we identified opioid-naive adults undergoing surgery. Using G-computation methods with logistic regression models, we estimated the risk of prolonged opioid use (≥1 opioid prescription dispensed in 3 consecutive 30-d windows following surgery) associated with the varying initial number of days supplied. We then estimate the potential reduction in cases of prolonged opioid use associated with varying prescribing limits.

RESULTS

We identified 1,060,596 opioid-naive surgical patients. Among the 70.0% who received an opioid for postoperative pain, 1.9% had prolonged opioid use. The risk of prolonged use increased from 0.7% (1 d supply) to 4.4% (15+ d). We estimated that a prescribing limit of 4 days would be associated with a risk reduction of 4.84 (3.59, 6.09)/1000 patients and would be associated with 2255 cases of prolonged use potentially avoided. The commonly used day supply limit of 7 would be associated with a smaller reduction in risk [absolute risk difference=2.04 (-0.17, 4.25)/1000].

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of prolonged opioid use following surgery increased monotonically with increasing prescription duration. Common prescribing maximums based on days supplied may impact many patients but are associated with relatively low numbers of reduced cases of prolonged use. Any prescribing limits need to be weighed against the need for adequate pain management.

Day-of-Surgery Gabapentinoids and Prolonged Opioid Use: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Medicare Patients Using Electronic Health Records

BACKGROUND

While preoperative gabapentinoids are commonly used in surgical multimodal analgesia protocols, little is known regarding the effects this therapy has on prolonged postsurgical opioid use. In this observational study, we used data from a large integrated health care system to estimate the association between preoperative day-of-surgery gabapentinoids and the risk of prolonged postsurgical opioid use.

METHODS

We identified adults age ≥65 years undergoing major therapeutic surgical procedures from a large integrated health care system from 2016 to 2019. Exposure to preoperative gabapentinoids on the day of surgery was measured using inpatient medication administration records, and the outcome of prolonged opioid use was measured using outpatient medication orders. We used stabilized inverse probability of treatment-weighted log-binomial regression to estimate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of prolonged opioid use, comparing patients who received preoperative gabapentinoids to those who did not and adjusting for relevant clinical factors. The main analysis was conducted in the overall surgical population, and a secondary analysis was conducted among procedures where at least 30% of all patients received a preoperative gabapentinoid.

RESULTS

Overall, 13,958 surgical patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 21.0% received preoperative gabapentinoids. The observed 90-day risk of prolonged opioid use following surgery was 0.91% (95% CI, 0.77-1.08). Preoperative gabapentinoid administration was not associated with a reduced risk of prolonged opioid use in the main analysis conducted in a broad surgical population (adjusted risk ratio [adjRR], 1.19 [95% CI, 0.67-2.12]) or in the secondary analysis conducted in patients undergoing colorectal resection, hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, or hysterectomy (adjRR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.30-3.33]).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large integrated health system, we did not find evidence that preoperative gabapentinoids were associated with reduced risk of prolonged opioid use in patients undergoing a broad range of surgeries.

Association of Preoperative Depression and Anxiety With Long-term Opioid Use After Hysterectomy for Benign Indications

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether preoperative depression or anxiety is associated with increased risk of long-term, postoperative opioid use after hysterectomy among women who are opioid-naïve.

METHODS

We conducted an observational cohort study of 289,233 opioid-naïve adult women (18 years or older) undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications from 2010 to 2017 using IBM MarketScan databases. Opioid use and refills in the 180 days after surgery and preoperative depression and anxiety were assessed. Secondary outcomes included 30-day incidence of emergency department visits, readmission, and 180-day incidence of opioid complications. The association of depression and anxiety were compared using inverse-probability of treatment weighted log-binomial and proportional Cox regression.

RESULTS

Twenty-one percent of women had preoperative depression or anxiety, and 82% of the entire cohort had a perioperative opioid fill (16% before surgery, 66% after surgery). Although perioperative opioid fills were relatively similar across the two groups (risk ratio [RR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.06-1.07), women with depression or anxiety were significantly more likely to have a postoperative opioid fill at every studied time period (RRs 1.44-1.50). Differences were greater when restricted to persistent use (RRs 1.49-2.61). Although opioid complications were rare, women with depression were substantially more likely to be diagnosed with opioid dependence (hazard ratio [HR] 5.54, 95% CI 4.12-7.44), and opioid use disorder (HR 4.20, 95% CI 1.97-8.96).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative opioid fills are common after hysterectomy. Women with preoperative anxiety and depression are more likely to experience persistent use and opioid-related complications.

Impact of Legislation on Opioid Prescribing following Hysterectomy and Hysteroscopy in Arizona and Florida

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) prescribed and refill rates following hysterectomy and hysteroscopy in the setting of opioid prescribing practice changes in 2 states.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort analysis consisting of 2,916 patients undergoing hysterectomy or hysteroscopy between July 2016 and September 2019 at 2 affiliated academic hospitals in states that underwent legislative changes in opioid prescribing in 2018.

METHODS

Participants were identified using the Current Procedural Terminology procedure codes in Arizona and Florida. Hysterectomy was chosen as the most invasive gynecologic procedure, while hysteroscopy was chosen as the least invasive. Medical records were abstracted to find opioid prescriptions from 90 days before surgery to 30 days after discharge. Patients with opioid use between 90 and 7 days before surgery were excluded. Prescriptions were converted to OMEs and were calculated per quarter year. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon rank sum t tests for OMEs and χ2 t tests for refill rates. Interrupted time-series analysis was used to determine significant change in OMEs before and after legislative change. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA).

RESULTS

In Arizona, 1,067 hysterectomies were performed; 459 (43%) vaginal, 561 (52.6%) laparoscopic/robotic, and 47 (4.4%) abdominal. There were 530 hysteroscopies. Overall median OMEs decreased from 225 prior to July 2018 to 75 after July 2018 (p < 0.0001). The opioid refill rate remained unchanged at 7.4% (p = 0.966). In Florida, there were 769 hysterectomies; 241 (31.3%) vaginal, 476 (61.9%) laparoscopic/robotic, and 52 (6.8%) abdominal. There were 549 hysteroscopies. Overall median OMEs decreased from 150 prior to July 2018 to 0 after July 2018 (p < 0.0001). The opioid refill rate was similar (7.8% before July 2018 and 7.3% after July 2018; p = 0.739).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include involvement of a single hospital institution with a total of 10 fellowship-trained surgeons and biases inherent to retrospective study design.

CONCLUSIONS

Legislative and provider-led changes coincided with decreases in opioid prescribing after 2018 in both states without increasing rates of refills and showed actual data reflected in the medical record. Gynecologists must actively participate in safe prescribing practices to decrease opioid dependence and misuse.

Opioid Prescribing Practices for Women Undergoing Elective Gynecologic Surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To describe the opioid prescribing practices in opioid-naive women undergoing elective gynecologic surgery for benign indications and identify risk factors associated with increased perioperative opioid use. We also explored factors associated with new persistent opioid use in women with perioperative opioid use.

DESIGN

Retrospective, population-based cohort study.

SETTING

We used linked administrative data from a government-administered single-payer provincial healthcare system in Canada. This study was undertaken at ICES, a not-for-profit research institute in Ontario, Canada.

PATIENTS

We followed opioid-naive adult women who underwent benign elective gynecologic surgery between 2013 and 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was perioperative opioid use defined as ≥1 opioid prescription from 30 days before to 14 days after surgery. New persistent opioid use after gynecologic surgery was defined as having filled 1 or more opioid prescriptions between 91 days and 180 days postoperatively. Multivariable log-linear regression analyses were employed to adjust for clinical and demographic data. Of the 132 506 patients included in our cohort, most (74.3%) underwent minor gynecologic procedures. Perioperative opioid use was documented in 27 763 (21.0%) patients, and there was a significant decreasing trend (p <.001) in the proportion of patients with perioperative opioid use from 21.8% in 2013 to 18.5% in 2018. Factors associated with increased perioperative opioid use included younger age; higher income quintile; urban dwellers; and diagnosis of infertility, endometriosis, or adnexal mass. Perioperative opioid use was an independent risk factor for persistent use (adjusted relative risk 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.72) and for every 65 patients prescribed opioids associated with gynecologic surgery, one developed new persistent opioid use. The highest risk factor for developing persistent use was filling a high-dose opioid prescription (adjusted relative risk_{5th quintileOME} 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.83-2.96).

CONCLUSION

One in 5 women who undergo a gynecologic procedure has a new exposure to opioids. For every 65 patients who fill an opioid prescription after their gynecologic surgery, one will experience prolonged opioid use.

Perioperative opioid prescriptions associated with stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgery

BACKGROUND

There is an opioid epidemic in the United States with a contributing factor of opioids being prescribed for postoperative pain after surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Among women who underwent stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgeries, our primary objective was to determine the proportion of women who filled perioperative opioid prescriptions and to compare factors associated with these opioid prescriptions. We also sought to assess the risk of prolonged opioid use through 1 year after stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgeries.

STUDY DESIGN

Using a population-based cohort of commercially insured individuals in the 2005-2015 IBM MarketScan databases, we identified opioid-naive women ≥18 years who underwent stress urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse procedures based on Current Procedural Terminology codes. We defined the perioperative period as the window beginning 30 days before surgery extending until 7 days after surgery. Any filled opioid prescription in this window was considered a perioperative prescription. For our primary outcome, we reported the proportion of opioid-naive women who filled a perioperative opioid prescription and reported the median quantity dispensed in the perioperative period. We also assessed demographic and perioperative factors associated with perioperative opioid prescription fills. Previous studies have defined prolonged use as the proportion of women who fill an opioid prescription between 90 and 180 days after surgery. We report this estimate as well as continuous opioid use, defined as the proportion of women with ongoing monthly opioid prescriptions filled through 1 year after stress urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

RESULTS

Among the 217,460 opioid-naive women who underwent urogynecologic surgery, 61,025 (28.1%) had pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence surgeries, 85,575 (39.4%) had stress urinary incontinence surgery without pelvic organ prolapse surgery, and 70,860 (32.6%) had pelvic organ prolapse surgery without stress urinary incontinence surgery. Overall, 167,354 (77.0%) filled a perioperative opioid prescription, and the median quantity was 30 pills (interquartile range, 20-30). In a multivariate regression model, younger age, pelvic organ prolapse surgery with or without stress urinary incontinence surgery, abdominal route, hysterectomy, and mesh use remained significantly associated with opioid prescriptions filled. Among those with a filled perioperative opioid prescription, the risk of prolonged use defined as an opioid prescription filled between 90 and 180 days was 7.5% (95% confidence interval, 7.3-7.6). However, the risk of prolonged use defined as continuous use with at least 1 monthly opioid prescription filled after surgery was significantly lower: 1.2% (1.13-1.24), 0.32% (0.29-0.35), 0.06% (0.05-0.08), and 0.04% (0.02-0.05) at 60, 90, 180, and 360 days after surgery, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Among privately insured, opioid-naive women undergoing stress urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse surgery, 77% of women filled an opioid prescription with a median of 30 opioid pills prescribed. For prolonged use, 7.5% (95% confidence interval, 7.3-7.6) filled an opioid prescription within 90 to 180 days after surgery, but the rates of continuously filled opioid prescriptions were significantly lower at 0.06% (95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.08) at 180 days and 0.04% (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.05) at 1 year after surgery.

Postoperative Opioid Filling Patterns in Women Undergoing Midurethral Sling Placement

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate postoperative opioid filling patterns for patients undergoing isolated midurethral sling placement.

METHODS

Patients undergoing midurethral sling placement from 2005 to 2016 were identified in the Truven Health MarketScan database. We determined whether sling placement was an isolated procedure or performed in conjunction with other benign gynecologic procedures. All outpatient prescription drug claims for opioids were extracted from 28 days before surgery to 28 days after surgery. We identified the number of prescriptions filled and calculated morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) in the allotted perioperative windows. The proportion of patients with opioid prescription claims and cumulative MMEs were compared for multiple versus isolated procedures using χ2 and Wilcoxon tests, respectively.

RESULTS

The cohort included 153,631 patients, with 79,069 (51.5%) having an isolated procedure and 74,562 (48.5%) having multiple benign procedures. Seventy-two percent of the patients undergoing isolated midurethral sling placement received at least 1 opioid prescription in the study period compared with 79% of those undergoing combined procedures (P < 0.001). The median cumulative MMEs for isolated midurethral sling and midurethral sling + multiple procedures were 150 and 225 MMEs, respectively (P < 0.001). Across the years under study, the proportion of patients filling opioid prescription claims increased, but the median cumulative MME was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing isolated midurethral sling placement filled a median of 150 cumulative MMEs, and the proportion of patients filling perioperative opioid prescriptions increased over the study period.