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Carnago L, Knisely MR, Malek J. Ethical considerations and decision making in opioid prescribing for chronic pain: A case study in rheumatology practice. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2024; 36:300-306. [PMID: 38330235 DOI: 10.1097/jxx.0000000000001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Dilemmas regarding opioid prescribing for chronic pain frequently occur within health care settings. The ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, as well as the principles of care ethics, can assist in addressing these opioid-related dilemmas. The purpose of this clinical case study is to provide a case study highlighting an opioid prescribing dilemma and then identify opioid-related transition considerations; address ethical questions that nurse practitioners (NPs) may encounter in clinical practice when providing care for individuals living with chronic pain who may need or use a prescribed opioid medication; and draw on the ethical principles and care ethics to provide guidance for NPs who face these challenging issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Carnago
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Janet Malek
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Duke Initiative for Science and Society, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Kang J, Kim HJ, Kim T, Lee H, Kim M, Lee SW, Kim MS, Koyanagi A, Smith L, Fond G, Boyer L, Rahmati M, López Sánchez GF, Dragioti E, Cortese S, Shin JI, Yon DK, Solmi M. Prenatal opioid exposure and subsequent risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in children: nationwide birth cohort study in South Korea. BMJ 2024; 385:e077664. [PMID: 38658035 PMCID: PMC11040462 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-077664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential association between prenatal opioid exposure and the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in children. DESIGN Nationwide birth cohort study. SETTING From 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2020, birth cohort data of pregnant women in South Korea linked to their liveborn infants from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea were collected. PARTICIPANTS All 3 251 594 infants (paired mothers, n=2 369 322; age 32.1 years (standard deviation 4.2)) in South Korea from the start of 2010 to the end of 2017, with follow-up from the date of birth until the date of death or 31 December 2020, were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders in liveborn infants with mental and behaviour disorders (International Classification of Diseases 10th edition codes F00-99). Follow-up continued until the first diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorder, 31 December 2020 (end of the study period), or the date of death, whichever occurred first. Eight cohorts were created: three cohorts (full unmatched, propensity score matched, and child screening cohorts) were formed, all of which were paired with sibling comparison cohorts, in addition to two more propensity score groups. Multiple subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS Of the 3 128 571 infants included (from 2 299 664 mothers), we identified 2 912 559 (51.3% male, 48.7% female) infants with no prenatal opioid exposure and 216 012 (51.2% male, 48.8% female) infants with prenatal opioid exposure. The risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in the child with prenatal opioid exposure was 1.07 (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.10) for fully adjusted hazard ratio in the matched cohort, but no significant association was noted in the sibling comparison cohort (hazard ratio 1.00 (0.93 to 1.07)). Prenatal opioid exposure during the first trimester (1.11 (1.07 to 1.15)), higher opioid doses (1.15 (1.09 to 1.21)), and long term opioid use of 60 days or more (1.95 (1.24 to 3.06)) were associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in the child. Prenatal opioid exposure modestly increased the risk of severe neuropsychiatric disorders (1.30 (1.15 to 1.46)), mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and intellectual disability in the child. CONCLUSIONS Opioid use during pregnancy was not associated with a substantial increase in the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in the offspring. A slightly increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders was observed, but this should not be considered clinically meaningful given the observational nature of the study, and limited to high opioid dose, more than one opioid used, longer duration of exposure, opioid exposure during early pregnancy, and only to some neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiseung Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, South Korea
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hyeon Jin Kim
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Hyeri Lee
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minji Kim
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Won Lee
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Min Seo Kim
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Guillaume Fond
- Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Boyer
- Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Masoud Rahmati
- Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, Iran
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Vali-E-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Guillermo F López Sánchez
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Elena Dragioti
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Research Laboratory Psychology of Patients, Families and Health Professionals, Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Samuele Cortese
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences (Central Nervous System and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York University Child Study Center, New York City, NY, USA
- DiMePRe-J-Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine-Jonic Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Severance Underwood Meta-Research Center, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Keon Yon
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Marco Solmi
- On Track: The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Siebenmorgen JP, Goree JH, Siegel ER, Norman SE, Stronach BM, Stambough JB, Mears SC. Hospital-Wide Adherence to Postsurgical Opioid Prescribing Guidelines: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Surg Res 2024; 296:571-580. [PMID: 38340491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2024.01.034] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lowering opioid prescription doses and quantity decreases the risk of chronic opioid usage. A tool was inserted into the brief operative note for the surgeon to assess the severity of pain associated with the procedure. We studied surgeon adherence to current opioid-prescribing recommendations. METHODS Retrospective cohort study with 5486 patients were included in the study population. Each patient's prescription was scored yes or no for adherence on total morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) and days prescribed with the selection in the brief operative note. The entire study population was tested for an increase from the null-hypothesis "benchmark" value of 75% using a one-sided exact binomial test of a single proportion with P < 0.05. This procedure was repeated for subgroups, with P < 0.01. RESULTS Adherence to guidelines was higher than the 75% benchmark for "total MMEs prescribed" (79.5%; P < 0.001), but lower for "number of days prescribed" (63.5%; P > 0.999). Surgeries with severe predicted pain showed the highest adherence toward total MMEs prescribed at 87.1%, followed by moderate (80.5%) and mild (74.5%). Severe cases also showed the highest adherence in number of days prescribed (92.4%). Adherence to total MMEs prescribed was highest among attending physicians (88.1%) and lowest among residents/fellows (76.6%). CONCLUSIONS Adherence to current guidelines was 79.5% for MMEs prescribed but only 63.5% for days prescribed. Compliance with guidelines was better for severe procedures than mild or moderate. Differences were seen across surgical departments. While an improvement from previous reports, further improvement is needed to reduce the number of days of opioids prescribed and increase compliance with recommended guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob P Siebenmorgen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Johnathan H Goree
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Eric R Siegel
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Sarah E Norman
- The College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Benjamin M Stronach
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Jeffrey B Stambough
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Simon C Mears
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Leggett CG, Schmidt RO, Skinner J, Lurie JD, Luan WP. Public versus Private Care in the Military Health System: Evidence From Low Back Pain Patients. Mil Med 2024:usae074. [PMID: 38491995 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a longstanding debate about whether health care is more efficiently provided by the public or private sector. The debate is particularly relevant to the Military Health System (MHS), which delivers care through a combination of publicly funded federal facilities and privately contracted providers. This study compares outcomes, treatments, and costs for MHS patients obtaining care for low back pain (LBP) from public versus private providers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study was completed using TRICARE Prime claims data from April 2015 to December 2018. The cohort was identified using International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision diagnostic codes and then followed for 12 months after the index diagnosis to assess treatments, outcomes, and costs. Claims were classified as originating from either public or private providers. The primary outcome measure was resolution of LBP, defined as an absence of LBP diagnoses during the 6-to-12-month window following the index event. Instrumental variable models were used to assess the impact of care setting (i.e., private versus public), conditioning on the covariates. A regional measure of the fraction of private care was used as an instrument. RESULTS Resolution of LBP was achieved for 79.7% of 144,866 patients in the cohort. No significant association was found between resolution of LBP and fraction of privately provided care. Higher fraction of private care was associated with a greater likelihood of opioid treatments (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.46) and a lower likelihood of benzodiazepine (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.45-0.70) and physical therapy (odds ratio 0.55; 95% CI, 0.42-0.74) treatments; manual therapy was not significantly associated with the fraction of private care. There was a significant negative association between the fraction of private care and cost (coefficient -0.27; 95% CI, -0.44, -0.10). CONCLUSION This study found that privately provided care was associated with significantly higher opioid prescribing, less use of benzodiazepines and physical therapy, and lower costs. No systematic differences in outcomes (as measured by resolved cases) were identified. The findings suggest that publicly funded health care within the MHS context can attain quality comparable to privately provided care, although differences in treatment choices and costs point to possibilities for improved care within both systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Leggett
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Rachel O Schmidt
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Jonathan Skinner
- Department of Economics, Dartmouth College, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, and the National Bureau of Economic Research, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jon D Lurie
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - William Patrick Luan
- Cost Analysis and Research Division, Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, VA 22305-3086, USA
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Henry SG, Fang SY, Crawford AJ, Wintemute GJ, Tseregounis IE, Gasper JJ, Shev A, Cartus AR, Marshall BDL, Tancredi DJ, Cerdá M, Stewart SL. Impact of 30-day prescribed opioid dose trajectory on fatal overdose risk: A population-based, statewide cohort study. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:393-402. [PMID: 37794260 PMCID: PMC10897080 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08419-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both increases and decreases in patients' prescribed daily opioid dose have been linked to increased overdose risk, but associations between 30-day dose trajectories and subsequent overdose risk have not been systematically examined. OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between 30-day prescribed opioid dose trajectories and fatal opioid overdose risk during the subsequent 15 days. DESIGN Statewide cohort study using linked prescription drug monitoring program and death certificate data. We constructed a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model that accounted for time-varying prescription-, prescriber-, and pharmacy-level factors. PARTICIPANTS All patients prescribed an opioid analgesic in California from March to December, 2013 (5,326,392 patients). MAIN MEASURES Dependent variable: fatal drug overdose involving opioids. Primary independent variable: a 16-level variable denoting all possible opioid dose trajectories using the following categories for current and 30-day previously prescribed daily dose: 0-29, 30-59, 60-89, or ≥90 milligram morphine equivalents (MME). KEY RESULTS Relative to patients prescribed a stable daily dose of 0-29 MME, large (≥2 categories) dose increases and having a previous or current dose ≥60 MME per day were associated with significantly greater 15-day overdose risk. Patients whose dose decreased from ≥90 to 0-29 MME per day had significantly greater overdose risk compared to both patients prescribed a stable daily dose of ≥90 MME (aHR 3.56, 95%CI 2.24-5.67) and to patients prescribed a stable daily dose of 0-29 MME (aHR 7.87, 95%CI 5.49-11.28). Patients prescribed benzodiazepines also had significantly greater overdose risk; being prescribed Z-drugs, carisoprodol, or psychostimulants was not associated with overdose risk. CONCLUSIONS Large (≥2 categories) 30-day dose increases and decreases were both associated with increased risk of fatal opioid overdose, particularly for patients taking ≥90 MME whose opioids were abruptly stopped. Results align with 2022 CDC guidelines that urge caution when reducing opioid doses for patients taking long-term opioid for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen G Henry
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA.
| | - Shao-You Fang
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Andrew J Crawford
- Violence Prevention Research Program; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Iraklis Erik Tseregounis
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - James J Gasper
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Aaron Shev
- Violence Prevention Research Program; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Abigail R Cartus
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Rhode Island, Providence, USA
| | - Brandon D L Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Rhode Island, Providence, USA
| | - Daniel J Tancredi
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research; University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, California, Sacramento, USA
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Population Health, Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy; New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Susan L Stewart
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California, Davis, USA
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Fortuna RJ, Venci J, Johnson W, Clark JS, Schlagman S, Vandermark K, Stetzer A, Nasra GS, Martin-Stancil-El SG, Judge S. Comprehensive Approach to Opioid Management in a Primary Care Network. Popul Health Manag 2024; 27:1-7. [PMID: 38237106 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0234] [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] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In response to the opioid epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released best practice recommendations for prescribing, yet adoption of these guidelines has been fragmented and frequently met with uncertainty by both patients and providers. This study aims to describe the development and implementation of a comprehensive approach to improving opioid stewardship in a large network of primary care providers. The authors developed a 3-tier approach to opioid management: (1) establishment and implementation of best practices for prescribing opioids, (2) development of a weaning process to decrease opioid doses when the risk outweighs benefits, and (3) support for patients when opioid use disorders were identified. Across 44 primary care practices caring for >223,000 patients, the total number of patients prescribed a chronic opioid decreased from 4848 patients in 2018 to 3106 patients in 2021, a decrease of 36% (P < 0.001). The percent of patients with a controlled substance agreement increased from 13% to 83% (P < 0.001) and the percent of patients completing an annual urine drug screen increased from 17% to 53% (P < 0.001). The number of patients coprescribed benzodiazepines decreased from 1261 patients at baseline to 834 at completion. A total of 6.5% of patients were referred for additional support from a certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor embedded within the program. Overall, the comprehensive opioid management program provided the necessary structure to support opioid prescribing and resulted in improved adherence to best practices, facilitated weaning of opioids when medically appropriate, and enhanced support for patients with opioid use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Fortuna
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Primary Care Network, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jineane Venci
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Wallace Johnson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Primary Care Network, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - John S Clark
- Primary Care Network, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Shalom Schlagman
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kelly Vandermark
- Primary Care Network, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Alisa Stetzer
- Primary Care Network, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - George S Nasra
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sheniece Griffin Martin-Stancil-El
- Primary Care Network, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Stephen Judge
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Primary Care Network, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
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Nguyen AP, Palzes VA, Binswanger IA, Ahmedani BK, Altschuler A, Andrade SE, Bailey SR, Clark RE, Haller IV, Hechter RC, Karmali R, Metz VE, Poulsen MN, Roblin DW, Rosa CL, Rubinstein AL, Sanchez K, Stephens KA, Yarborough BJH, Campbell CI. Association of initial opioid prescription duration and an opioid refill by pain diagnosis: Evidence from outpatient settings in ten US health systems. Prev Med 2024; 179:107828. [PMID: 38110159 PMCID: PMC11046737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain cautioned that inflexible opioid prescription duration limits may harm patients. Information about the relationship between initial opioid prescription duration and a subsequent refill could inform prescribing policies and practices to optimize patient outcomes. We assessed the association between initial opioid duration and an opioid refill prescription. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults ≥19 years of age in 10 US health systems between 2013 and 2018 from outpatient care with a diagnosis for back pain without radiculopathy, back pain with radiculopathy, neck pain, joint pain, tendonitis/bursitis, mild musculoskeletal pain, severe musculoskeletal pain, urinary calculus, or headache. Generalized additive models were used to estimate the association between opioid days' supply and a refill prescription. RESULTS Overall, 220,797 patients were prescribed opioid analgesics upon an outpatient visit for pain. Nearly a quarter (23.5%) of the cohort received an opioid refill prescription during follow-up. The likelihood of a refill generally increased with initial duration for most pain diagnoses. About 1 to 3 fewer patients would receive a refill within 3 months for every 100 patients initially prescribed 3 vs. 7 days of opioids for most pain diagnoses. The lowest likelihood of refill was for a 1-day supply for all pain diagnoses, except for severe musculoskeletal pain (9 days' supply) and headache (3-4 days' supply). CONCLUSIONS Long-term prescription opioid use increased modestly with initial opioid prescription duration for most but not all pain diagnoses examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh P Nguyen
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States of America.
| | - Vanessa A Palzes
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States of America
| | - Ingrid A Binswanger
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States of America; Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Denver, CO, United States of America; Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America; Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, United States of America
| | - Brian K Ahmedani
- Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States of America
| | - Andrea Altschuler
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States of America
| | - Susan E Andrade
- Meyers Primary Care Health Institute/Fallon Health, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Steffani R Bailey
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Robin E Clark
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Irina V Haller
- Essentia Institute of Rural Health, Duluth, MN, United States of America
| | - Rulin C Hechter
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, United States of America; Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Verena E Metz
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States of America
| | - Melissa N Poulsen
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, United States of America
| | - Douglas W Roblin
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, MD, United States of America
| | - Carmen L Rosa
- Center for the Clinical Trials Network, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Andrea L Rubinstein
- Department of Pain Medicine, The Permanente Medical Group, Santa Rosa, CA, United States of America
| | - Katherine Sanchez
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX, United States of America; School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States of America
| | - Kari A Stephens
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Bobbi Jo H Yarborough
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Cynthia I Campbell
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States of America; Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
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8
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Sullivan KJ, Gabella B, Ziegler K, Tolle H, Giano Z, Hoppe J. Impact of Statewide Statute Limiting Days' Supply to Opioid-Naive Patients. Am J Prev Med 2024; 66:112-118. [PMID: 37604303 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To address the ongoing opioid crisis, states use policy enactment to restrict prescribing by licensed healthcare providers and mandate the use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs. There have been mixed results regarding the effectiveness of such state policies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of Colorado Senate Bill 18-022, which limits opioid prescriptions to ≤7-day supply among patients without an opioid prescription in the previous year (i.e., are opioid naive). METHODS This is a retrospective interrupted time-series analysis of opioid prescribing to evaluate the weekly percentage of opioid prescriptions consistent with statutory limits for ≤7-day supply among opioid-naive patients before and after enactment using Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs data from May 21, 2017 to May 25, 2019. Statistical analysis was performed in 2021-2022. RESULTS The weekly percentage of opioid prescriptions ≤7-day supply increased by an average of 0.12% per week (p<0.0001) from 79.7% to 87.4% in the week before enactment. The week after enactment, the average increased by 0.2% (p=0.67). The year after enactment, the average weekly percentage change was 0.07% per week, a 0.05% decrease (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Statutory limits on days' supply among opioid-naive patients had little impact on opioid prescribing in Colorado. Legislating limits on opioid prescribing should be evaluated using Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data and considered for deimplementation when not impactful.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Gabella
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), Denver, Colorado
| | - Katherine Ziegler
- Avera Research Institute - Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota; Department of Internal Medicine, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota
| | - Heather Tolle
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Zachary Giano
- School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jason Hoppe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Wally MK, Thompson ME, Odum S, Kazemi DM, Hsu JR, Beuhler M, Bosse M, Castro M, Gibbs M, Griggs C, Jarrett S, Leas D, Rachal J, Roomian T, Runyon M, Saha A, Watling B, Yu Z, Seymour RB. Adherence to legislation limiting opioid prescription duration following musculoskeletal injury. J Opioid Manag 2023; 19:103-115. [PMID: 37879665 DOI: 10.5055/jom.2023.0804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES North Carolina had implemented legislation (Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act) limiting opioid prescriptions to 5 days for acute pain and 7 days for post-operative pain. This study aimed to identify patient, prescriber, and facility characteristics associated with STOP Act adherence for patients with acute or post-surgical musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. DESIGN A three-level hierarchical logistic regression model was used to predict odds of adherence with STOP Act duration limits, accounting for fixed and random effects at the patient, prescriber, and facility levels. SETTING A large healthcare system in North Carolina. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS Patients (N = 6,849) presenting from 2018 to 2020 with a diagnosis of an acute MSK injury. INTERVENTIONS The STOP Act limited the duration of opioid prescriptions in North Carolina. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Prescriptions adhering to the STOP Act duration limits of 5 days (nonoperative) or 7 days (operative) were the primary outcome. RESULTS Opioids were compliant with STOP Act duration limits in 69.3 percent of encounters, with 33 percent of variation accounted for by clinician and 29 percent by facility. Patients prescribed >1 opioid (odds ratio (OR) 0.46, 95 percent confidence interval (CI): 0.36, 0.58) had reduced odds of a compliant prescription; surgical patients had increased odds of a compliant prescription (outpatient surgery: OR 5.89, 95 percent CI: 2.43-14.29; inpatient surgery: OR 7.71, 95 percent CI: 3.04-19.56). Primary care sports medicine clinicians adhered to legislation less frequently than orthopedic surgeons (OR 0.38, 95 percent CI: 0.15, 0.97). CONCLUSIONS Most prescriptions adhered to STOP Act legislation. Tailored interventions to improve adherence among targeted groups of prescribers, eg, those treating nonoperative injuries and sport medicine clinicians, could be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan K Wally
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4540-532X
| | - Michael E Thompson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Susan Odum
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute; Department of Public Health Sci-ences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; OrthoCarolina Research Institute Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Donna M Kazemi
- College of Health and Human Services, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Joseph R Hsu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Michael Beuhler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Michael Bosse
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Manuel Castro
- Department of Psychiatry, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Michael Gibbs
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Christopher Griggs
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Steven Jarrett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Daniel Leas
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute; Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - James Rachal
- Department of Psychiatry, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Tamar Roomian
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Michael Runyon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Animita Saha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | | | - Ziqing Yu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Rachel B Seymour
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina
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10
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Wally MK, Thompson ME, Odum S, Kazemi DM, Hsu JR, Seymour RB. Changes in opioid prescription duration for musculoskeletal injury associated with the North Carolina Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2023; 24:926-932. [PMID: 36943361 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess whether implementation of the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act was associated with an increase in the percentage of opioid prescriptions written for 7 days or fewer among patients with acute or postsurgical musculoskeletal conditions. DESIGN An interrupted time-series study was conducted to determine the change in duration of opioid prescriptions associated with the STOP Act. SETTING Data were extracted from the electronic health record of a large health care system in North Carolina. SUBJECTS Patients presenting from 2016 to 2020 with an acute musculoskeletal injury and the clinicians treating them were included in an interrupted time-series study (n = 12 839). METHODS Trends were assessed over time, including the change in trend associated with implementation of the STOP Act, for the percentage of prescriptions written for ≤7 days. RESULTS Among patients with acute musculoskeletal injury, less than 30% of prescriptions were written for ≤7 days in January of 2016; by December of 2020, almost 90% of prescriptions were written for ≤7 days. Prescriptions written for ≤7 days increased 17.7% after the STOP Act was implemented (P < .001), after adjustment for the existing trend. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate significant potential for legislation to influence opioid prescribing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan K Wally
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, NC 28207, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, United States
| | - Michael E Thompson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, United States
| | - Susan Odum
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, NC 28207, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, United States
| | - Donna M Kazemi
- College of Health and Human Services, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, United States
| | - Joseph R Hsu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, NC 28207, United States
| | - Rachel B Seymour
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, NC 28207, United States
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11
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McGinty EE, Tormohlen KN, Seewald NJ, Bicket MC, McCourt AD, Rutkow L, White SA, Stuart EA. Effects of U.S. State Medical Cannabis Laws on Treatment of Chronic Noncancer Pain. Ann Intern Med 2023; 176:904-912. [PMID: 37399549 DOI: 10.7326/m23-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND State medical cannabis laws may lead patients with chronic noncancer pain to substitute cannabis in place of prescription opioid or clinical guideline-concordant nonopioid prescription pain medications or procedures. OBJECTIVE To assess effects of state medical cannabis laws on receipt of prescription opioids, nonopioid prescription pain medications, and procedures for chronic noncancer pain. DESIGN Using data from 12 states that implemented medical cannabis laws and 17 comparison states, augmented synthetic control analyses estimated laws' effects on receipt of chronic noncancer pain treatment, relative to predicted treatment receipt in the absence of the law. SETTING United States, 2010 to 2022. PARTICIPANTS 583 820 commercially insured adults with chronic noncancer pain. MEASUREMENTS Proportion of patients receiving any opioid prescription, nonopioid prescription pain medication, or procedure for chronic noncancer pain; volume of each treatment type; and mean days' supply and mean morphine milligram equivalents per day of prescribed opioids, per patient in a given month. RESULTS In a given month during the first 3 years of law implementation, medical cannabis laws led to an average difference of 0.05 percentage points (95% CI, -0.12 to 0.21 percentage points), 0.05 percentage points (CI, -0.13 to 0.23 percentage points), and -0.17 percentage points (CI, -0.42 to 0.08 percentage points) in the proportion of patients receiving any opioid prescription, any nonopioid prescription pain medication, or any chronic pain procedure, respectively, relative to what we predict would have happened in that month had the law not been implemented. LIMITATIONS This study used a strong nonexperimental design but relies on untestable assumptions involving parallel counterfactual trends. Statistical power is limited by the finite number of states. Results may not generalize to noncommercially insured populations. CONCLUSION This study did not identify important effects of medical cannabis laws on receipt of opioid or nonopioid pain treatment among patients with chronic noncancer pain. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E McGinty
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York (E.E.M.)
| | - Kayla N Tormohlen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (K.N.T., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R., S.A.W.)
| | - Nicholas J Seewald
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (K.N.T., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R., S.A.W.)
| | - Mark C Bicket
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.C.B.)
| | - Alexander D McCourt
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (K.N.T., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R., S.A.W.)
| | - Lainie Rutkow
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (K.N.T., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R., S.A.W.)
| | - Sarah A White
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (K.N.T., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R., S.A.W.)
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (E.A.S.)
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12
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Treitler P, Samples H, Hermida R, Crystal S. Association of a State Prescribing Limits Policy with Opioid Prescribing and Long-term Use: an Interrupted Time Series Analysis. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1862-1870. [PMID: 36609812 PMCID: PMC10271990 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07991-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prescription opioids were a major initial driver of the opioid crisis. States have attempted to reduce overprescribing by enacting policies that limit opioid prescriptions, but the impacts of such policies on new prescribing and subsequent transitions to long-term use are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of implementation of a state prescribing limits policy with opioid prescribing and transitions to long-term opioid use. DESIGN Interrupted time series analyses assessing trends in new opioid prescriptions and long-term use before and after policy implementation. PATIENTS A total of 130,591 New Jersey Medicaid enrollees ages 18-64 who received an initial opioid prescription from January 2014 to December 2019. INTERVENTIONS New Jersey's opioid prescribing limit policy implemented in March 2017. MAIN MEASURES Total new opioid prescriptions, percentage of new prescriptions with >5 days' supply, and transition to long-term opioid use, defined as having opioid supply on day 90 after the initial prescription. KEY RESULTS Policy implementation was associated with a significant monthly increase in new opioid prescriptions of 0.86 per 10,000 enrollees, halving the pre-policy decline in the prescribing rate. Among new opioid prescriptions, the percentage with >5 days' supply decreased by about 1 percentage point (-0.76 percentage points, 95% CI -0.89, -0.62) following policy implementation. However, policy implementation was associated with a significant monthly increase in the rate of initial prescriptions with supply on day 90 (9.95 per 10,000 new prescriptions, 95% CI 4.80, 15.11) that reversed the downward pre-implementation trend. CONCLUSIONS The New Jersey policy was associated with a reduction in initial prescriptions with >5 days' supply, but not with an overall decline in new opioid prescriptions or in the rate at which initial prescriptions led to long-term use. Given their only modest benefits, policymakers and clinicians should carefully weigh potential unintended consequences of strict prescribing limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Treitler
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - Hillary Samples
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
| | - Richard Hermida
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy & Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
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13
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Toce MS, Michelson KA, Hudgins JD, Hadland SE, Olson KL, Monuteaux MC, Bourgeois FT. Association of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs With Opioid Prescribing and Overdose in Adolescents and Young Adults. Ann Emerg Med 2023; 81:429-437. [PMID: 36669914 PMCID: PMC10091852 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.11.003] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Prescription opioid use is associated with substance-related adverse outcomes among adolescents and young adults through a pathway of prescribing, diversion and misuse, and addiction and overdose. Assessing the effect of current prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) on opioid prescribing and overdoses will further inform strategies to reduce opioid-related harms. METHODS We performed interrupted time series analyses to measure the association between state-level implementation of PDMPs with annual opioid prescribing and opioid-related overdoses in adolescents (13 to 18 years) and young adults (19 to 25 years) between 2008 and 2019. We focused on PDMPs that included mandatory reviews by providers. Data were obtained from a commercial insurance company. RESULTS Among 9,344,504 adolescents and young adults, 1,405,382 (15.0%) had a dispensed opioid prescription, and 6,262 (0.1%) received treatment for an opioid-related overdose. Mandated PDMP review was associated with a 4.2% (95% CI, 1.9% to 6.4%) reduction in annual opioid dispensations among adolescents and a 7.8% (95% CI, 4.7% to 10.9%) annual reduction among young adults. For opioid-related overdoses, mandated PDMP review was associated with a 16.1% (95% CI, 3.8 to 26.7) and 15.9% (95% CI, 7.6 to 23.4) reduction in annual opioid overdoses for adolescents and young adults, respectively. CONCLUSION PDMPs were associated with sustained reductions in opioid prescribing and overdoses in adolescents and young adults. Although these findings support the value of mandated PDMPs as part of ongoing strategies to reduce opioid overdoses, further studies with prospective study designs are needed to characterize the effect of these programs fully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Toce
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical Toxicology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Kenneth A Michelson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Joel D Hudgins
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Scott E Hadland
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, MA
| | - Karen L Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Pediatric Therapeutics and Regulatory Science Initiative, Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Florence T Bourgeois
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
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14
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Impact of State Opioid Regulation on Postoperative Opioid Prescribing Patterns for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2023; 31:258-264. [PMID: 36727692 DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-22-00651] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited studies have assessed the impact of state regulations on opioid prescribing patterns for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study evaluates how Florida House Bill 21 (FL-HB21) affected postoperative opioid prescribing for patients after TKA. METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained to retrospectively review all patients who underwent TKA during 3 months of 2017 (pre-law) and 2018 (post-law) by five arthroplasty surgeons in Florida. Prescribed opioid quantity in morphine milligram equivalents (MME), quantity of refills, and number of prescribers were recorded for each patient's 90-day postsurgical episode. The differences between pre-law and post-law prescription data and short-term postoperative pain levels were compared. RESULTS The average total MME was notably reduced by over 30% for all time periods for the post-law group. The average MME per patient decreased by 169 MME at the time of discharge, by 245 MME during subsequent postoperative visits, and by 414 MME for the 90-day postsurgical episode ( P < 0.001 for all). The quantity of refills was unchanged (1.6 vs. 1.6, P = 0.885). The total number of prescribers per patient for the 90-day postsurgical episode was unchanged (1.31 vs. 1.24 prescribers/patient, P = 0.16). Postoperative pain levels were similar at discharge (3.6 pre-law vs. 3.3 post-law, P = 0.272). DISCUSSION Restrictive opioid legislation was associated with notably reduced postoperative opioid (MME) prescribed per patient after TKA at the time of discharge and for the entire 90-day postsurgical episode. There was no increase in the number of prescribers or refills required by patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III retrospective cohort.
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15
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McCourt AD, Tormohlen KN, Schmid I, Stone EM, Stuart EA, Davis CS, Bicket MC, McGinty EE. Effects of Opioid Prescribing Cap Laws on Opioid and Other Pain Treatments Among Persons with Chronic Pain. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:929-937. [PMID: 36138276 PMCID: PMC10039157 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07796-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many states have adopted laws that limit the amount or duration of opioid prescriptions. These limits often focus on prescriptions for acute pain, but there may be unintended consequences for those diagnosed with chronic pain, including reduced opioid prescribing without substitution of appropriate non-opioid treatments. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of state opioid prescribing cap laws on opioid and non-opioid treatment among those diagnosed with chronic pain. DESIGN We used a difference-in-differences approach that accounts for staggered policy adoption. Treated states included 32 states that implemented a prescribing cap law between 2017 and 2019. POPULATION A total of 480,856 adults in the USA who were continuously enrolled in medical and pharmacy coverage from 2013 to 2019 and diagnosed with a chronic pain condition between 2013 and 2016. MAIN MEASURES Among individuals with chronic pain in each state: proportion with at least one opioid prescription and with prescriptions of a specific duration or dose, average number of opioid prescriptions, average opioid prescription duration and dose, proportion with at least one non-opioid chronic pain prescription, average number of such prescriptions, proportion with at least one chronic pain procedure, and average number of such procedures. KEY RESULTS State laws limiting opioid prescriptions were not associated with changes in opioid prescribing, non-opioid medication prescribing, or non-opioid chronic pain procedures among patients with chronic pain diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS These findings do not support an association between state opioid prescribing cap laws and changes in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D McCourt
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Kayla N Tormohlen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ian Schmid
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Stone
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Mark C Bicket
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emma E McGinty
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- OptumLabs, Cambridge, USA
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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16
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Andraka-Christou B, McAvoy E, Ohama M, Smart R, Vaiana ME, Taylor E, Stein BD. Systematic Identification and Categorization of Opioid Prescribing and Dispensing Policies in 16 States and Washington, DC. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2023; 24:130-138. [PMID: 35984301 PMCID: PMC9890304 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnac124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES State policies can impact opioid prescribing or dispensing. Some state opioid policies have been widely examined in empirical studies, including prescription drug monitoring programs and pain clinic licensure requirements. Other relevant policies might exist that have received limited attention. Our objective was to identify and categorize a wide range of state policies that could affect opioid prescribing/dispensing. METHODS We used stratified random sampling to select 16 states and Washington, DC, for our sample. We collected state regulations and statutes effective during 2020 from each jurisdiction, using search terms related to opioids, pain management, and prescribing/dispensing. We then conducted qualitative template analysis of the data to identify and categorize policy categories. RESULTS We identified three dimensions of opioid prescribing/dispensing laws: the prescribing/dispensing rule, its applicability, and its disciplinary consequences. Policy categories of prescribing/dispensing rules included clinic licensure, staff credentials, evaluating the appropriateness of opioids, limiting the initiation of opioids, preventing the diversion or misuse of opioids, and enhancing patient safety. Policy categories related to applicability of the law included the pain type, substance type, practitioner, setting, payer, and prescribing situation. The disciplinary consequences dimension included specific consequences and inspection processes. DISCUSSION Policy categories within each dimension of opioid prescribing/dispensing laws could become a foundation for creating variables to support empirical analyses of policy effects, improving operationalization of policies in empirical studies, and helping to disentangle the effects of multiple state laws enacted at similar times to address the opioid crisis. Several of the policy categories we identified have been underexplored in previous empirical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Andraka-Christou
- School of Global Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
- Department of Internal Medicine (Secondary Joint Appointment), University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Elizabeth McAvoy
- School of Environmental and Public Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Maggie Ohama
- The Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Gainesville, Florida
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17
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Dave AD, Falcone M. Opioid prescribing patterns among oculofacial plastic surgeons. Int Ophthalmol 2023; 43:167-174. [PMID: 35867311 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02413-3] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Oculofacial plastic surgeons (OPS) prescribe narcotic pain prescriptions at a rate four times higher than that of other ophthalmologists. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand trends in opioid prescriptions among oculofacial plastic surgeons after common oculoplastic surgeries. METHODS This cross-sectional survey was sent to OPS in the USA between June 19, 2020 and December 1, 2020. Participants were asked about their training and practice as well as their top two choices for post-operative pain management both overall and for seven common oculoplastic surgeries. Fisher's exact and chi-square tests were performed to analyze relationships between categorical variables. RESULTS The two most common opioid medications, in percentage of respondents (n = 82), prescribed overall by OPS were hydrocodone-acetaminophen (35%) and tramadol (21%). Between OPS completed training before 1990 (16%) and those who completed training from 1991 to 2000 (12%), the latter cohort is 4.9 times more likely to prescribe opioids overall ([95% CI = 1.3-15.4], p = .01). Additionally, OPS who are currently practicing in the Southeast USA are 4.2 times more likely to prescribe opioids overall than those practicing in the Northeast USA ([95% CI: 1.4-12.8], p = .02). CONCLUSION This study has helped identify patterns in opioid prescribing behavior among OPS based on demographic information and common oculoplastic surgeries. This knowledge will help bring awareness of prescribing behavior to the oculoplastics community and identify areas of improvement to reduce opioid prescriptions. Kindly check and confirm the OD and ON has been correctly identified in 2nd affiliationYes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amisha D Dave
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion, 5th Floor, 135 Dowling Way, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Madina Falcone
- Department of Ophthalmology, UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion, 5th Floor, 135 Dowling Way, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
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Liu EY, McCall KL, Piper BJ. Variation in adverse drug events of opioids in the United States. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1163976. [PMID: 37033633 PMCID: PMC10079914 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1163976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The United States (US) ranks high, nationally, in opioid consumption. The ongoing increase in the misuse and mortality amid the opioid epidemic has been contributing to its rising cost. The worsening health and economic impact of opioid use disorder in the US warrants further attention. We, therefore, assessed commonly prescribed opioids to determine the opioids that were over-represented versus under-represented for adverse drug events (ADEs) to better understand their distribution patterns using the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) while correcting for distribution using the Drug Enforcement Administration's Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS). Comparing the ratio of the percentage of adverse drug events as reported by the FAERS relative to the percentage of distribution as reported by the ARCOS database is a novel approach to evaluate post-marketing safety surveillance and may inform healthcare policies and providers to better regulate the use of these opioids. Methods: We analyzed the adverse events for 11 prescription opioids, when correcting for distribution, and their ratios for three periods, 2006-2010, 2011-2016, and 2017-2021, in the US. The opioids include buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and tapentadol. Oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) were calculated by conversions relative to morphine. The relative ADEs of the selected opioids, opioid distributions, and ADEs relative to distribution ratios were analyzed for the 11 opioids. Results: Oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine accounted for over half of the total number of ADEs (n = 667,969), while meperidine accounted for less than 1%. Opioid distributions were relatively constant over time, with methadone repeatedly accounting for the largest proportions. Many ADE-to-opioid distribution ratios increased over time, with meperidine (60.6), oxymorphone (11.1), tapentadol (10.3), and hydromorphone (7.9) being the most over-represented for ADEs in the most recent period. Methadone was under-represented (<0.20) in all the three periods. Conclusion: The use of the FAERS with the ARCOS provides insights into dynamic changes in ADEs of the selected opioids in the US. There is further need to monitor and address the ADEs of these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Y. Liu
- Department of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Edward Y. Liu,
| | - Kenneth L. McCall
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Brian J. Piper
- Department of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA, United States
- Center for Pharmacy Innovation and Outcomes, Geisinger, Danville, PA, United States
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Scott-Richardson M, Johnson G, McGlorthan L, Webber R, Kirk K, Giordano N, Kryzek M, Highland K. Development and Implementation of an Online Pain Management Continuing Education Program. Pain Manag Nurs 2022; 23:752-758. [PMID: 35835643 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple studies indicate a lack of pain management training across a range of healthcare specialties. The online Joint Pain Education Program (OJPEP) was created to provide content covering various topics that range from general pain science to integrative care to pain management. The present study evaluates the feasibility of an interdisciplinary, self-guided, online pain management continuing education program, the OJPEP. PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS A total of 228 learners participted in this study. Of the 228 learners, 58 learners identified as registered nurses and 12 learners identified as nurse practitioners. DESIGN Prospective single-arm education feasibility study. METHODS Potential learners were provided invitations to participate via emails from clinic leadership and postings to hospital intranet websites. Learners registered online and could select up to eight modules, based on the materials developed from a Department of Defense/Veterans Administration project. Learners evaluated their satisfaction with module quality and applicability. RESULTS A variety of providers, predominately non-prescribers, across many health care specialties, registered for modules. Across all modules except one, less than half of participants who registered completed the selected module. Time stamps indicated many learners skipped module content. Of those who completed the continuing education evaluation to obtain certificates, the majority indicated the content was of high-quality, appropriate, and evidence-based. One-third to approximately one-half of learners indicated that they would apply content in their clinical practice. Completion of the intended 3-month follow-up survey was poor. CONCLUSIONS Though modules were acceptable per learner responses, future work is needed to: develop modules that are more engaging (e.g., interactive) and applicable to learners; and improve implementation methods to include dissemination and evaluation metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Scott-Richardson
- Defense and Veterans Centers for Integrative Pain Management, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland; Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
| | - Guinevere Johnson
- Defense and Veterans Centers for Integrative Pain Management, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland; Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Latoya McGlorthan
- Defense and Veterans Centers for Integrative Pain Management, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland; Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Webber
- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Keri Kirk
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Nicholas Giordano
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Monika Kryzek
- Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas, USA
| | - Krista Highland
- Defense and Veterans Centers for Integrative Pain Management, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland; Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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20
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Tormohlen KN, McCourt AD, Schmid I, Stone EM, Stuart EA, Davis C, Bicket MC, McGinty EE. State prescribing cap laws' association with opioid analgesic prescribing and opioid overdose. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 240:109626. [PMID: 36115221 PMCID: PMC9893520 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109626] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In response to the role of opioid prescribing in the U.S. opioid crisis, states have enacted laws intended to curb high risk opioid prescribing practices. This study assessed the effects of state prescribing cap laws that limit the dose and/or duration of dispensed opioid prescriptions on opioid prescribing patterns and opioid overdose. METHODS We identified 1,414,908 adults from a large U.S. administrative insurance claims database. Treatment states included 32 states that implemented a prescribing cap law between 2017 and 2019. Comparison states included 16 states and DC without a prescribing cap law by 2019. A difference-in-differences approach with staggered policy adoption was used to assess effects of these laws on opioid analgesic prescribing and opioid overdose. RESULTS State opioid prescribing cap laws were not associated with changes in the proportion of people receiving opioid analgesic prescriptions, the dose or duration of opioid prescriptions, or opioid overdose. States with laws that imposed days' supply limits only versus days' supply and dosage limits, as well as with specific law provisions also showed no association with opioid prescribing or opioid overdose outcomes. CONCLUSIONS State opioid prescribing cap laws did not appear to impact outcomes related to opioid analgesic prescribing or opioid overdose. These findings are potentially due to the limited scope of these laws, which often apply only to a subset of opioid prescriptions and include professional judgment exemptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla N Tormohlen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Room 357, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Alex D McCourt
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Ian Schmid
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Elizabeth M Stone
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Departments of Mental Health, Biostatistics, Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Room 839, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Corey Davis
- Harm Reduction Legal Project, Network for Public Health Law, 7101 York Avenue South, #270, Edina, MN 55435, USA.
| | - Mark C Bicket
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5048, USA.
| | - Emma E McGinty
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy, ALACRITY Center for Health and Longevity in Mental Illness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Room 359, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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21
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Dyson MP, Dong K, Sevcik W, Graham SZ, Saba S, Hartling L, Ali S. Quantifying unused opioids following emergency and ambulatory care: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2022; 3:e12822. [PMID: 36203538 PMCID: PMC9523453 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To quantify unused opioids among adult and pediatric patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) or ambulatory care settings with a prescription for acute pain. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and the gray literature from inception to April 29, 2021. We included observational studies in which any patient with an acutely painful condition received a prescription for an opioid on discharge from an outpatient care setting, and unused opioids were quantified. Two reviewers screened records for eligibility, extracted data, and conducted the quality assessment. Where possible, we pooled data and otherwise described the results of studies narratively. Total unused prescriptions were synthesized using a weighted average. Random effects models were used, and heterogeneity was measured by the I2 statistic. Our primary outcome was the quantity of unused opioid medication available after receiving a prescription for acute pain. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients with unused opioids following a prescription, the proportion of patients using no opioids, morphine equivalents of unused opioids, and factors associated with leftover opioids. Results In this systematic review and meta‐analysis of 9 studies in emergency and ambulatory care settings, 59.6% of prescribed opioids remained unused; pediatric patients had 69.3% of their prescriptions remaining, compared to 54.6% among adult patients. The highest proportion of unused opioids was found following dental extractions (82.6%). Conclusions and Relevance More than 50% of opioids remain unused following prescriptions for acute pain. Responsible prescribing must be accompanied by education on safer use, storage, and disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele P. Dyson
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Kathryn Dong
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Inner City Health and Wellness Program Royal Alexandra Hospital Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - William Sevcik
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Samir Z. Graham
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Sabrina Saba
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Lisa Hartling
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Samina Ali
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
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Henry SG, Fenton JJ, Campbell CI, Sullivan M, Weinberg G, Naz H, Graham WM, Dossett ML, Kravitz RL. Development and Testing of a Communication Intervention to Improve Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. Clin J Pain 2022; 38:620-631. [PMID: 36037051 PMCID: PMC9481730 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001064] [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: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Effective communication skills are essential for optimally managing chronic pain and opioids. This exploratory, sequential mixed methods study tested the effect of a novel framework designed to improve pain-related communication and outcomes. METHODS Study 1 developed a novel 5-step framework for helping primary care clinicians discuss chronic pain and opioids with patients. Study 2 pilot tested an intervention for teaching this framework using standardized patient instructors-actors trained to portray patients and provide immediate clinician feedback-deployed during regular clinic hours. Primary care physicians were randomized to receive either the intervention or pain management recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Primary outcomes were pain-related interference at 2 months and clinician use of targeted communication skills (coded from transcripts of audio-recorded visits); secondary outcomes were pain intensity at 2 months, clinician self-efficacy for communicating about chronic pain, patient experience, and clinician-reported visit difficulty. RESULTS We enrolled 47 primary care physicians from 2 academic teaching clinics and recorded visits with 48 patients taking opioids for chronic pain who had an appointment scheduled with an enrolled physician. The intervention was not associated with significant changes in primary or secondary outcomes other than clinician self-efficacy, which was significantly greater in the intervention group. DISCUSSION This study developed a novel framework and intervention for teaching clinician pain-related communications skills. Although the intervention showed promise, more intensive or multicomponent interventions may be needed to have a significant impact on clinicians' pain-related communication and pain outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen G Henry
- Departments of Internal Medicine
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, CA
| | - Joshua J Fenton
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, CA
| | - Cynthia I Campbell
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Mark Sullivan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Gary Weinberg
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, CA
| | - Hiba Naz
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, CA
| | - Wyatt M Graham
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | | | - Richard L Kravitz
- Departments of Internal Medicine
- University of California Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, CA
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Schmid I, Stuart EA, McCourt AD, Tormohlen KN, Stone EM, Davis CS, Bicket MC, McGinty EE. Effects of state opioid prescribing cap laws on opioid prescribing after surgery. Health Serv Res 2022; 57:1154-1164. [PMID: 35801988 PMCID: PMC9441291 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of state opioid prescribing cap laws on opioid prescribing after surgery. DATA SOURCES OptumLabs Data Warehouse administrative claims data covering all 50 states from July 2012 through June 2019. STUDY DESIGN We included individuals from 20 states that had implemented prescribing cap laws without exemptions for postsurgical pain by June 2019 and individuals from 16 control states plus the District of Columbia. We used a difference-in-differences approach accounting for differential timing in law implementation across states to estimate the effects of state prescribing cap laws on postsurgical prescribing of opioids. Outcome measures included filling an opioid prescription within 30 days after surgery; filling opioid prescriptions of specific doses or durations; and the number, days' supply, daily dose, and pill quantity of opioid prescriptions. To assess the validity of the parallel counterfactual trends assumption, we examined differences in outcome trends between law-implementing and control states in the years preceding law implementation using an equivalence testing framework. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We included the first surgery in the study period for opioid-naïve individuals undergoing one of eight common surgical procedures. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS State prescribing cap laws were associated with 0.109 lower days' supply of postsurgical opioids on the log scale (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.139, -0.080) but were not associated with the number (Average treatment effect on the treated [ATT]: -0.011; 95% CI: -0.043, 0.021) or daily dose of postsurgical opioid prescriptions (ATT: -0.013; 95% CI: -0.030, 0.005). The negative association observed between prescribing cap laws and the probability of filling a postsurgical opioid prescription (ATT: -0.041; 95% CI: -0.054, -0.028) was likely spurious, given differences between law-implementing and control states in the pre-law period. CONCLUSIONS Prescribing cap laws appear to have minimal effects on postsurgical opioid prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Schmid
- Department of Mental HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. Stuart
- Department of Mental HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of BiostatisticsJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Alexander D. McCourt
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Kayla N. Tormohlen
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Elizabeth M. Stone
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Mark C. Bicket
- Department of AnesthesiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementUniversity of Michigan School of Public HealthAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Emma E. McGinty
- Department of Mental HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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24
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Larochelle MR, Lodi S, Yan S, Clothier BA, Goldsmith ES, Bohnert ASB. Comparative Effectiveness of Opioid Tapering or Abrupt Discontinuation vs No Dosage Change for Opioid Overdose or Suicide for Patients Receiving Stable Long-term Opioid Therapy. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2226523. [PMID: 35960518 PMCID: PMC9375167 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.26523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Opioid dosage tapering has emerged as a strategy to reduce harms associated with long-term opioid therapy; however, evidence supporting this approach is limited. OBJECTIVE To identify the association of opioid tapering or abrupt discontinuation with opioid overdose and suicide events among patients receiving stable long-term opioid therapy without evidence of opioid misuse. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This comparative effectiveness study with a trial emulation approach used a large US claims data set of individuals with commercial insurance or Medicare Advantage who were aged 18 years or older and receiving stable long-term opioid therapy without evidence of opioid misuse between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018. Statistical analysis was performed from January 17, 2020, through November 12, 2021. INTERVENTIONS Three opioid dosage strategies: stable dosage, tapering (dosage reduction ≥15%), or abrupt discontinuation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Time to opioid overdose or suicide event identified from International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision diagnosis codes in medical claims over 11 months of follow-up. Inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for baseline confounders. The primary analysis used an intention-to-treat approach; follow-up after assignment regardless of changes in opioid dose was included. A per-protocol analysis was also conducted, in which episodes were censored for lack of adherence to assigned treatment. RESULTS A cohort of 199 836 individuals (45.1% men; mean [SD] age, 56.9 [12.4] years; and 57.6% aged 45-64 years) had 415 123 qualifying, long-term opioid therapy episodes; 87.1% of episodes were considered stable, 11.1% were considered a taper, and 1.8% were considered abrupt discontinuation. The adjusted cumulative incidence of opioid overdose or suicide events 11 months after baseline was 0.96% (95% CI, 0.92%-0.99%) with a stable dosage strategy, 1.10% (95% CI, 0.99%-1.22%) with a tapered dosage strategy, and 1.28% (95% CI, 0.93%-1.38%) with an abrupt discontinuation strategy. The risk difference between a taper and a stable dosage was 0.15% (95% CI, 0.03%-0.26%), and the risk difference between abrupt discontinuation and a stable dosage was 0.33% (95% CI, -0.03% to 0.74%). Results were similar using the per-protocol approach. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study identified a small absolute increase in risk of harms associated with opioid tapering compared with a stable opioid dosage. These results do not suggest that policies of mandatory dosage tapering for individuals receiving a stable long-term opioid dosage without evidence of opioid misuse will reduce short-term harm via suicide and overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc R. Larochelle
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sara Lodi
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shapei Yan
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Barbara A. Clothier
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Elizabeth S. Goldsmith
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis
| | - Amy S. B. Bohnert
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor
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25
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Samples H. Commentary on Lo-Ciganic et al.: The importance of evidence-based clinical and policy approaches to reduce opioid harms. Addiction 2022; 117:1998-1999. [PMID: 35543359 PMCID: PMC9203928 DOI: 10.1111/add.15915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hillary Samples
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging ResearchNew BrunswickNJUSA,Department of Health Behavior, Society and PolicyRutgers School of Public HealthPiscatawayNJUSA
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Cedillo G, George MC, Deshpande R, Benn EKT, Navis A, Nmashie A, Siddiqui A, Mueller BR, Chikamoto Y, Weiss L, Scherer M, Kamler A, Aberg JA, Vickrey BG, Bryan A, Horn B, Starkweather A, Fisher J, Robinson-Papp J. Toward Safer Opioid Prescribing in HIV care (TOWER): a mixed-methods, cluster-randomized trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:28. [PMID: 35578356 PMCID: PMC9108346 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00311-8] [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: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2016 U.S. Centers for Disease Control Opioid Prescribing Guideline (CDC Guideline) is currently being revised amid concern that it may be harmful to people with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy (CP-LTOT). However, a methodology to faithfully implement the CDC guideline, measure prescriber adherence, and systematically test its effect on patient and public health outcomes is lacking. We developed and tested a CDC Guideline implementation strategy (termed TOWER), focusing on an outpatient HIV-focused primary care setting. METHODS TOWER was developed in a stakeholder-engaged, multi-step iterative process within an Information, Motivation and Behavioral Skills (IMB) framework of behavior change. TOWER consists of: 1) a patient-facing opioid management app (OM-App); 2) a progress note template (OM-Note) to guide the office visit; and 3) a primary care provider (PCP) training. TOWER was evaluated in a 9-month, randomized-controlled trial of HIV-PCPs (N = 11) and their patients with HIV and CP-LTOT (N = 40). The primary outcome was CDC Guideline adherence based on electronic health record (EHR) documentation and measured by the validated Safer Opioid Prescribing Evaluation Tool (SOPET). Qualitative data including one-on-one PCP interviews were collected. We also piloted patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) reflective of domains identified as important by stakeholders (pain intensity and function; mood; substance use; medication use and adherence; relationship with provider; stigma and discrimination). RESULTS PCPs randomized to TOWER were 48% more CDC Guideline adherent (p < 0.0001) with significant improvements in use of: non-pharmacologic treatments, functional treatment goals, opioid agreements, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), opioid benefit/harm assessment, and naloxone prescribing. Qualitative data demonstrated high levels of confidence in conducting these care processes among intervention providers, and that OM-Note supported these efforts while experience with OM-App was mixed. There were no intervention-associated safety concerns (defined as worsening of any of the PROMs). CONCLUSIONS CDC-guideline adherence can be promoted and measured, and is not associated with worsening of outcomes for people with HIV receiving LTOT for CP. Future work would be needed to document scalability of these results and to determine whether CDC-guideline adherence results in a positive effect on public health. Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03669939 . Registration date: 9/13/2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Cedillo
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Mary Catherine George
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Richa Deshpande
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.,Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA.,Caring Accent (Consultancy), San Jose, CA, USA.,Department of Economics and the Center On Alcoholism, Substance Use and Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA.,Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, USA.,School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,Institute for Collaboration On Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Emma K T Benn
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Allison Navis
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Alexandra Nmashie
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Alina Siddiqui
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bridget R Mueller
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | | | - Linda Weiss
- Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Maya Scherer
- Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Alexandra Kamler
- Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Judith A Aberg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Barbara G Vickrey
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Angela Bryan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA
| | - Brady Horn
- Department of Economics and the Center On Alcoholism, Substance Use and Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Fisher
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.,Institute for Collaboration On Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Jessica Robinson-Papp
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1052, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Initial opioid prescribing and subsequent opioid use after dental procedures among opioid-naive patients in Pennsylvania Medicaid, 2012 through 2017. J Am Dent Assoc 2022; 153:511-520.e13. [PMID: 35241271 DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2021.11.001] [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: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about how opioid prescribing differs for dental procedures with low, moderate, or high pain or whether that prescribing is associated with continued opioid use. METHODS The authors used Pennsylvania Medicaid claims data from 2012 through 2017. They categorized dental procedures into 3 groups of pain (low, moderate, high). Using multivariable logistic regression models with random intercept, the authors estimated the probability of receiving an initial opioid prescription within 7 days before and 3 days after a dental procedure associated with the pain categories and assessed subsequent short- and long-term (4-90 days and 91-365 days, respectively) opioid use. RESULTS The authors identified 1,345,360 index dental procedures (among 912,121 enrollees), of which 67.6% were categorized as low pain, 1.6% as moderate pain, and 30.9% as high pain. Predicted probability of an initial opioid prescription was 2.4% (95% CI, 2.4% to 2.5%) for low-pain, 8.3% (95% CI, 7.9% to 8.6%) for moderate-pain, and 31.8% (95% CI, 31.6% to 31.9%) for high-pain procedures. Predicted probabilities for short-term use for those who did not fill versus those who did fill an opioid prescription were 0.9% (95% CI, 0.9% to 1.0%) versus 25.0% (95% CI, 24.5% to 25.6%) for the low-pain, 1.6% (95% CI, 1.4% to 1.8%) versus 16.6% (95% CI, 14.9% to 18.4%) for moderate-pain, and 2.9% (95% CI, 2.8% to 3.0%) versus 13.5% (95% CI, 13.3% to 13.7%) for the high-pain groups. CONCLUSIONS Although enrollees undergoing high-pain dental procedures were more likely to fill an initial opioid prescription than their counterparts with low- to moderate-pain procedures, the relative risk of experiencing sustained opioid use (4-90 days postprocedure) was highest in the low-pain group. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS More attention should be paid to reducing opioid prescribing for dental procedures with low pain risk.
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Hoffmann DE. The Need for Balance in Evaluating Opioid-Prescribing Policies. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:S28-S29. [PMID: 35143276 PMCID: PMC8842208 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diane E Hoffmann
- Diane E. Hoffmann is with the School of Law, University of Maryland, Baltimore
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Townsend TN, Salz T, Haffajee RL, Caram MEV, Chino F, Bohnert ASB. Has Declining Opioid Dispensing to Cancer Patients Been Tailored to Risk of Opioid Harms? J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:179-188. [PMID: 34656655 PMCID: PMC8816811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Opioid prescribing to cancer patients is declining, but it is unknown whether reductions have been tailored to those at highest risk of opioid-related harms. OBJECTIVES Examine whether declines in opioid dispensing to patients receiving active cancer treatment are sharper in patients with substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health diagnoses. METHODS We used 2008-2018 national, commercial healthcare claims data to examine adjusted and unadjusted trends in opioid dispensing (receipt of ≥1 fill; average daily dosage; receipt of high-dose opioids; receipt of concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines) to patients ages ≥18 receiving treatment for one of four cancer types (breast; colorectal; head and neck; sarcoma; N = 324,789 patients). To compare declines across subgroups with varying risk of opioid-related harms, we stratified by SUD and mental health diagnosis. To address potential confounding, we estimated subgroup-specific trends using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS Across groups, rate of ≥1 opioid fill per quarter fell 32.5% (95% CI: 31.8%-33.2%) from 2008 to 2018; daily dose among those receiving opioids fell 37.6% (95% CI: 36.7%-38.6%). In most cases, these declines were not sharper in subgroups at greater risk of opioid-related harms. For example, patients with opioid use disorder experienced the smallest declines in dispensing frequency, and there was no evidence that declines were sharper in patients with mental health diagnoses. CONCLUSION Sharp declines in opioid prescribing during the drug overdose crisis have affected a wide range of patients undergoing cancer treatment and may not have been sufficiently tailored to patient characteristics. Research on implications for opioid-related harms and pain management is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarlise N Townsend
- University of Michigan, Department of Health Management and Policy (T.N.T., R.L.H.), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing (T.N.T.), New York, New York, USA; Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy (T.N.T.), NYU Grossman School of Medicine Department of Population Health, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Talya Salz
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Health Outcomes Research Group (T.S.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca L Haffajee
- University of Michigan, Department of Health Management and Policy (T.N.T., R.L.H.), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; RAND Corporation (R.L.H.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Megan E V Caram
- University of Michigan Department of Internal Medicine (M.E.V.C), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; VA Center for Clinical Management Research (M.E.V.C., A.S.B.B.), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Fumiko Chino
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology (F.C.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Amy S B Bohnert
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research (M.E.V.C., A.S.B.B.), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; University of Michigan, Department of Anesthesiology (A.S.B.B.), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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The effect of state policies on rates of high-risk prescribing of an initial opioid analgesic. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 231:109232. [PMID: 35007956 PMCID: PMC8810626 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple state policies, such as prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and duration limits, have been implemented to decrease high-risk opioid prescribing. Studies demonstrate that many policies decrease certain opioid prescribing behaviors, but few examine their intended effects on the targeted high-risk prescribing practices, nor disentangle the effects of concurrent state or federal policies likely to influence those practices. METHODS Forty-one million initial prescriptions for new opioid episodes from 2007 to 2018 were identified using national pharmacy claims. We identified high-risk initial prescriptions, defined as >7 days' supply, average daily MME >90, or concurrent with benzodiazepines and estimated three multivariable logistic regression models to assess the association between policies and outcomes controlling for patient, prescriber, and county characteristics. RESULTS Initial prescriptions for >7 days declined from 23.8% in 2007 to 14.9% in 2018, associated with mandatory and interoperable PDMPs and prescription duration limits but not other policies examined. Initial prescriptions with daily MME > 90 declined from 13.2% to 1.9%, associated with pain management clinic laws but not consistently with other policies. Initial prescriptions concurrent with benzodiazepines declined only modestly from 6.9% to 6.5%, associated with pain management clinic laws but not other policies examined. CONCLUSIONS The opioid policy environment has changed rapidly with a range of different policies being implemented addressing high-risk prescribing. PDMP laws mandating prescriber use and pain clinic laws both appear efficacious but decrease different types of high-risk opioid prescribing. New policies should be considered in light of the prevalence of the problem being addressed.
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Zhang H, Paice J, Portenoy R, Bruera E, Reid MC, Bao Y. Prescription Opioids Dispensed to Patients with Cancer with Bone Metastasis: 2011-2017. Oncologist 2021; 26:e1890-e1892. [PMID: 34227175 PMCID: PMC8488796 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid therapy is a first-line approach for moderate-to-severe pain associated with cancer with bone metastasis (CBM). The decade-long decline in opioid prescribing in the U.S. would not be expected to affect patients with CBM. We investigated trends in opioids dispensed to patients with CBM using data from a large commercial claims database. From 2011 quarter 2 to 2017 quarter 4, the percentage of patients with CBM prescribed at least 1 day of opioids in a quarter declined from 28.1% to 24.5% (p < .001) for privately insured patients aged 18-64 years and from 39.1% to 30.5% (p < .001) for Medicare Advantage (MA) patients aged 65 years or older. Among patients with at least 1 day of opioids in a quarter, the average morphine milligram equivalents dispensed declined by 37% and 11% (p < .001 for both) for privately insured and MA patients, respectively. Our findings raise concerns about potential unintended consequences related to population-level reduction in opioid prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Judith Paice
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Russell Portenoy
- MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - M Carrington Reid
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, Texas, USA
| | - Yuhua Bao
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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